West Potomac High School Spring Bank Arts Center Dance Studio
West Potomac High School'due south Beyond the Page Theatre Company gave us the "old razzle dazzle" in their production of Billy Elliot the Musical, with music by Elton John, and the volume and lyrics by Lee Hall.
Billy Elliot the Musical, based on the 2000 film by the same proper name, follows the story of young Baton Elliot and his struggles of learning that there is nothing wrong with "Expressing Yourself." Billy learns he loves ballet and even with a controlling father and brother, he can find escape and joy in dancing.
Astonishing the crowd as the title role was 6th grader, Franco Cabanas. From his incredible acting, killer vocals and jaw-dropping dance skills, Cabanas is the ultimate triple threat. He is able to actually show the transformation Baton goes through from the skeptical boy in "Shine" to the powerful, potent and smart young man in "Angry Dance" likewise as in "Electricity."
Although this is a high schoolhouse performance, Baton Elliot featured not just Cabanas but three other young, neighborhood boys; Grant Hamilton every bit Michael, Charlie Ruppe as Tall Boy/Posh Boy and Micah Griffin as Small Boy. All of these boys' effortless fit in to the product and added to the professionalism of the bear witness. Hamilton really showed off his vocals with Cabanas in the crowd favorite number "Expressing Yourself," featuring giant dancing dresses (hats off to Costume/Makeup Designer, Kaylie Kopicki).
Dancing is crucial to the development of Billy Elliot, staring every bit Billy's dance teacher, Mrs. Wilkinson was the lovely Adrianna DeLorenzo, leading the band of ballet girls (featuring the talents of Natalie Edwards, Madison Harden, Paige Edwards, Halley Roy, Anna Penkiunas, Lindsay Johnson, Helen Kitrosser, Grace Perkins, Hannah Nobles, Madison Eaton, Willa Denton, Emily Madden, Sheridan Phalen, Jade Han, Hannah Roverse and Carolyn Bloom). With hilarious numbers such as "Shine", "Solidarity" and "Merry Christmas, Maggie Thatcher", the ballet girls really lit up the stage with their enthusiasm and, of class, dance abilities. Along with the ballet girls was Josh Stein as the comedic Mr. Braithwaite, he also wowed the audience with his beautiful and technical dancing equally Older Billy.
Ballet Girl, Natalie Edwards portrayed Mrs. Wilkinson'southward daughter Debbie (as well equally co-choreographed the production with Gennifer Diflippo), her stand out comedic moments with Billy really showed the childish side of the characters that could oft exist overlooked, due the hard times Billy has to go through during the production. Edwards is no stranger to the Billy Elliot, after portraying a ballet girl in the United states National Tour. Other ballet girl standouts include the comedic roles of the always eating, Tracey Atkinson and "spastic starfish" Susan Parks performed past Madison Eaton and Willa Denton, respectively.
Billy's family; Dad (Jonathan Barger), Tony (Tony Lemus), Grandma (Frankie Mananzan) and Dead Mum (Kat Amato) all played different parts in Billy and his growing up. Barger and Lemus were able to bear witness the harsh, realistic and struggle that the family had to face up, especially in "Solidarity." To the change and acceptance in Barger's heart wrenching song "Deep in the Footing" and in "Once Nosotros Were Kings." While Mananzan brought laughter into the family unit with her comedic scenes, equally well every bit gave Billy advice and insight into her past in "Grandma's Song." While Amato brought hope and honey to Billy from beyond the grave. Amato's trio with DeLorenzo and Cabanas, "The Letter of the alphabet" was celestial and heartwarming and actually showcased all 3 of their vocals. Working alongside with the Elliot family was Sam Davidson as the passionate and headstrong Big Davey, also every bit loving father to Small Male child, he actually shown in his moments on stage.
With the theme of the show beingness centered around Baton's love for dance, the squad choreographers (Gennifer Diflippo, Peelee Clark, and Natalie Edwards) had their piece of work cut out for them. Featuring tap in "Expressing Yourself" and "Angry Trip the light fantastic", ballet in "Shine," "Solidarity," and "Swan Lake," and jazz in "Built-in to Boogie," and "Electricity" likewise as featured roller skaters and an acrobat; this production really covers all of the bases. All of the numbers were effortless and showcased each actors' strengths. The team trained Cabanas and Hamilton all throughout the summertime, as well equally offered additional ballet classes for the students to bring them up to the level of profession dance this product needs. All this extra work can exist shown with how flawlessly all of the numbers are executed.
I've always been impressed with Beyond the Page's technical aspects and this prove was no unlike. Projections (past Sam Davidson, consulted past Dan Deiter) set the time era of the evidence which actually got the audience in the mood and understood the political standpoints during the product. The lighting (designed past Jessica Steadman and Kayla Claussen) lit up the phase with traveling lights and strobe lights. At times notwithstanding, the actors were in the nighttime, whether or not that was the actors not getting to their mark or a miss from the lighting crew, it happened minimally and did not take away from the scene. Sound (designed by Victoria de Dios) also had a couple of glitches just with as many mics on stage information technology was incredibly impressive that all the actors could be heard at all times. One of the craziest aspects of this production was the flying during "Swan Lake" run past the flying crew of Ella Moore, Logan Claussen and Will Schless. As well as creative marketing platforms run by Lily Vita and Emily Lyon, for the by few months every fourth dimension I open up a social media or drive through my neighborhood there is always a sign, advertising, video or picture up for the product, which helped sell the show out on Friday night!
Of course this huge production could not have been done without the vision of Manager and Assistant Choreographer: Peelee Clark, Music Managing director: Cathy Manley, Dialect Double-decker: Marking Lee Adams and Stage Managers: Emily Lyon and Elaina Phalen. Effortlessly bringing this story to the stage for audience members young and old to enjoy.
Beyond the Page Theatre Company's production of Baton Elliot the Musical is not 1 to miss, information technology's heartwarming and passionate story is one audience members of all ages will enjoy. Exist warned though; it gives you the urge to grit off your dancing shoes and boogie!
Running Time: Ii hours and 40 minutes, with i 20-minute intermission.
Baton Elliot the Musicalplays through May 6, 2017, at West Potomac Loftier School, Springbank Auditorium- 6500 Quander Road in Alexandria, VA. For tickets, purchase them online.
Source: https://dcmetrotheaterarts.com/2017/04/30/review-billy-elliot-musical-west-potomac-high-schools-beyond-page-theatre-company1/