I ventured into Manhattan on February 7th, through the cold and windy city streets, in an effort to make it to the Imperial Theatre to see Billy Elliot the Musical.  I had great expectations for this, just like any other show I go to see.

I bought these tickets a few months ago and since it was Kids Night on Broadway it was buy one adult ticket and a young person (ages 6 – 18) goes free.  I just started working and was proud to say I purchased my first full price ticket.   (I usually do not need to with the much appreciated and thanked efforts of High 5 Tickets to the Arts and TDF).  I was constantly saying that it better be good, but this was in a joking manner as I knew it had been loved by critics and audiences alike.

The show was not what I expected. 

It’s music was minimal and an afterthought, which came as a shock to me as Elton John had composed it, and he is such an amzing singer/songwriter.  The ballet aspect was amazing, but that is really all I can say for it.  While they could carry a tune, the actors’ voices were not strong and it seemed as though they were forcing the songs through their lips.  The set design was drab and dull.  It was just the same pieces used over and over again, ever so slightly changed around.  The story revolved too much around the miners’ strike and not enough about Billy.

When I go to a show, regardless of the genre, I almost always cry at the end.  At this show I did not.  There was some emotional aspect missing.  I did not feel for Billy nor did I for anyone else.

They hype this show up so much and it really is disappointing.  I honestly believe that Next to Normal should have won the Tony for Best Musical.  N2N did not put on airs about being amazing; it just is.  And so my friends, next time you venture into the city on a cold winter night, I hope your trip will be worth it, for mine was not.