February 2nd, 2010        Deja Vu

What would be the current analogy for “broken record”? “Corrupted file” just doesn’t seem to do it. “Slipped disc”? “Over-byte”? In any case... I’m going to blow the horn of the young people in this show yet again.

This week we had another Broadway debut: that of Mike Dameski. Holy crap! I think there’s a Billy Tree in Australia and they are just plucking these boys off it. Mike comes to us from Sydney where he played Billy in the Aussie production, along side superstar Dayton Tavares. Oh, Mikey. What a premiere. A sweet, gentle boy (at least so far... they’re all a bit quiet at the start... though Liam and Dayton are now warming-up to Lady Gaga, or rapping as they limber their adductors across the long aisle of the balcony... and Trent is constantly trying to capture a vocal riff from Christina Aguilara during ballet barre, much to the bemusement of the adults present... he is tenacious...) The thing that gets me about these boys: not only do they have uncanny skills as dancers, singers and actors, they have the aplomb to create their own unique performance of this role. Now, I realise they are not out there alone: behind them are years of training, dedication on the part of families and teachers, and finally an exacting rehearsal process that they have each been through. But at the end of the day (literally, as their day starts at 9am with tutoring and goes until they are finished signing autographs at 11:15pm), it is these little men who are strutting their stuff across the Broadway stage to the adulation and excitement of so many. And Mikey had me and 1400 others weeping with delight. I say again: holy crap!

(At thirteen I was... let’s see... playing Humpty-Dumpty in a skit in our church basement. Compare if you dare!)

Phil Whitchurch also made a Broadway debut this week. He is playing Dad while Greg Jbara is on a leave of absence. Phil played the role in the West End company of Billy. Originally from Liverpool, Phil lives with his family in London, so he’s another stranger in the strange land of New York City. A totally fantastic guy, a truly generous actor, and a wonderful Dad. Ch-ch-ch-changes.

Last Sunday was the 500th show of Billy Elliot on Broadway, so the producers took us out for a much deserved drink. We’ve been rehearsing so much lately what with all the new Billys and other cast changes, so we’re all pretty pooped. Daldrey’s toast was to the “hardest working company on Broadway”, and I’m quite sure that’s accurate. And then he pushed Liam’s face into the cake! And then the boys pushed his face into the cake!!

Most of us get a bit of a break from rehearsal this week (thanks god!), except of course those Billys. Indefatigable.

...indefatigable... indefatigable... indefatigable... indefatigable... indefatigable...