Billy Elliot's Bawdy Ballet Arrives in Seattle

Seattle’s first musical of the spring, Billy Elliot, opened at the Paramount Theatre last night to an enthusiastic crowd. Not only is the score done by Sir Elton John, and the words written by Lee Hall, but the sweeping choreography and joyous cast performances tell an inspiring story that makes Billy Elliot one of the greatest musicals in recent memory.

Based on the Oscar-nominated film, Billy Elliot is about a boy pursuing his passion for ballet dancing despite his family’s disapproval. The mere idea of a boy donning a tutu is apparently good for a few laughs, but zingers abound in the nearly three-hour musical, from grandmother’s bitter ode to her late husband, to character Michael’s adventures in cross dressing. Despite the fun and games, Billy Elliot is also full of social and cultural tension of the ongoing 1984 miner’s strike in England.

Last night’s performance featured a cast of talented young dancers and actors who sent the audience back and forth between gales of laughter and teary-eyed emotion. Like the emotions, scenes and backdrops changed quickly. By far the most captivating was performance was Billy Elliot himself, a young boy in his early teens who wowed the audience with his dance routines and singing numbers.

Of note about this production: it's completely British, and completely uncensored. In addition to British accents, the dialogue's many idioms and cultural references can sail right by audience members. For instance, the simple adjustment of hearing the cast pronounce ‘ballet’ differently (sounds more like ‘balley’), or the parallels between British upper class and lower class lingo. Younger, more pure audience members should also be forewarned about frequent references to cross dressing, and liberal use of crude language, even from the mouths of sweet little ballerinas.

Billy Elliot will be running in Seattle at the Paramount Theatre most nights from now until April 3. Don’t miss your chance to catch it while it’s here.

Wednesday, March 22-April 3, 7:30 p.m. // Paramount Theatre // $46-75