BILLY ELLIOT the MUSICAL at the Imperial Theatre

(Seen 11/19/08)

Lee Hall has written a multi-layered musical (book and lyrics) that successfully explores one family's struggles for personal achievement and survival, set against the greater picture of the British miners' futile strike in the 1980s.

Sometimes director Stephen Daldry's emphasis on grandiosity may overshadow the intimacy of the basic story of a young boy wanting something different for his life than that of a family tradition of mining. But he always pinpoints and highlights their individual struggles.

Hall has allowed us to get to know Billy Elliot's inner drives, as well of those of his older brother, his father, his grandmother, his dance teacher -- and even his dead mother.

Peter Darling's choreography is a grand mixture of dance and movement, always appropriate for the characters and the confrontational situations brought on by both personal interactions and community standards -- as well as political setbacks. And Elton John's music works smoothly, even if if may not inspire.

The entire cast -- a huge ensemble of children and adults -- is highly commendable. At the performance I saw, a phenomenal Kiril Kulish played Billy; he alternates with David Alvarez and Trent Kowalik. The show also stars Hadyn Gwynne, Gregory Jbara, Carole Shelley, and Santino Fontana, who along with all the company members, are excellent.

It's a jazzy, glossy, high-powered musical -- but most important, it works!