The Dancing Lad
by Jay Catterson
@ScienceOfSmut
At long last, Billy Elliot: The Musical triumphantly arrives in Vancouver nearly five years after opening on Broadway. Based on the hit film of the same name, the endearing story of a Northern England coalminer's son who gives up boxing for ballet was adapted for the stage by the film's original creative team: director Stephen Daldry and writer Lee Hall (book and lyrics). Featuring music by Elton John, Billy Elliot The Musical has since gone on to win four Olivier Awards and 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical, and has spawned several hit productions around the globe.
Due to the rigorous physical demands of the show, the North American touring cast features four child actors who alternate the role of Billy Elliot; Drew Minard took on the titular role at the performance I attended, and his genuine sense of boyish vulnerability coupled with his tremendous dancing ability was a sight to behold. Minard's Act Two Swan Lake pas de deux with Billy's older self (performed by Maximilien A. Baud) was both beautifully touching and breathtaking, to which he follows up with a knock-out rendition of "Electricity", a paean to Billy's passion for dance. It was undeniable that we were in the presence of true stage talent (and at such a young age, too!).
Chip off the old block
Onetime child actor and two-time Tony-Award nominee Joel Blum pays homage to his own showbiz roots as he co-stars in the upcoming Billy Elliott the Musical tour across Canada
By Richard Burnett
@bugsburnett
It’s like veteran Broadway actor Joel Blum has come full circle: The onetime child actor is now the grizzled mentor for all the kids co-starring in the touring production of the hit West End and Broadway musical Billy Elliot.
“I grew up in a showbiz family,” says two-time Tony-Award nominee Joel Blum. “My father was 45 years old when I was born [in 1952] so he was actually around during Vaudeville! He and his sister were street kids who went to a dance every Friday night and they were so good they decided to put on an act together, like lots of kids did back then.
