Arts & Entertainment

‘Billy’ the kid

Hit-and-miss Elton John-scored musical has soaring moments, spirit

Published

14 years ago

December 22, 2011

Patrick Folliard

‘Billy Elliot the Musical’
Through Jan. 15
The Kennedy Center
$25-$150
202-467-4600
kennedy-centre.org

Lex Ishimoto as Billy (flying) with Maximilien A. Baud playing the character as an adult in ‘Billy Elliot the Musical,’ on the boards now at the Kennedy Center. (Photo by Michael Brosilow; courtesy the Kennedy Center)

When promoting “Billy Elliot the Musical,” Sir Elton John routinely explains his attachment to the show’s title character.

During a presentation of the film version (on which the musical is based) at Cannes in 2000, the gay superstar recognized aspects of his own life reflected on the screen. Like Billy, a small town boy who follows his dream to dance ballet despite his miner father’s initial misgivings, John’s passion for rock n’ roll was met with equal reservations by his own father.

John so loved the film that he agreed to write the music for the stage adaptation. Directed by Stephen Daldry, the show was a hit when it premiered in London’s West End in 2005 and triumphed on Broadway three years later, earning a truckload of awards along the way. And now a national tour of “Billy” has come to the Kennedy Center Opera House where it will remain through mid-January.

Set in northern England during the bleak UK miners’ strike of 1984-‘85, the action begins when 11-year-old Billy (Lex Ishimoto) ditches after-school boxing lessons for an all girls’ ballet class where he discovers his talent and passion for dance. Billy keeps coming back and even after his family’s remonstrations he continues attending in secret.

Billy’s ballsy ballet teacher Mrs. Wilkinson (the terrific Leah Hocking), a chain smoker in hot pink leg warmers, recognizes her sole male student’s ability and believes in his future. She also sees the writing on the wall: their small mining town is dying and dancing is Billy’s only ticket out.

Librettist and lyricist Lee Hall has pretty much stacked the odds against dance crazy Billy: His loving mother is dead; his father (Rich Hebert) and older brother Tony (Cullen R. Titmas), also a miner, are disdainful of the arts, specifically one that requires boys to wear tights (though Billy typically dances in gym shorts). Luckily, the boy finds some respite in his dotty grandmother (Cynthia Darlow), as well as the occasional visit from his dead mother’s sad sack apparition (identifiable by particularly bland street clothes and bad Princess Diana wig) who occasionally wanders on stage, says or sings a few kind words, then makes a hasty exit.

There’s also Billy’s loyal friend Michael (Ben Cook) — a self-described “poof” — who likes to dress up in his mother’s clothes. After persuading Billy to don a skirt too, their private little drag show explodes into “Expressing Yourself,” a glittery production number with the two boys tapping their hearts out in silver heels backed by a collection of 10-foot dancing dresses.

Despite Elton John’s ardor for the source material, this score is not his most memorable work. But what is unforgettable about the show is Billy’s dancing (thrillingly choreographed by Peter Darling). He unrealistically transforms from awkward novice to the prince of pirouettes in a matter of weeks, but who’s counting? Ishimoto (who performed on press night and shares the demanding role with four other young dancers) sings and acts OK, but he dances phenomenally: Whether back flipping off a table and tap/jump roping in “Born to Boogie” or leading the show’s huge cast in “Company Celebration,” a spirited dancing curtain call, he’s virtually flawless. The second acts’ gorgeous, dreamy Swan Lake sequence pairs Billy with his older self (beautifully danced by Maximilien A. Baud) and he literally soars high above the stage.

At more than three hours, it’s a long evening. Hall’s book is peppered with F-bombs and groan-worthy, cornball humor. Sometimes the show strains to connect the ongoing strike with dance. Case in point: a well-choreographed but improbable number (“Solidarity”) involving miners, cops and pubescent ballerinas dancing together in the same small space.

In the end, Billy’s family and the community get behind the young dancer. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (represented here in monstrous effigy at the miners’ Christmas party) has broken the union, destroying their way of life. It’s time to make way for new dreams.

Though hardly perfect, this “Billy Elliot the Musical” has a lot of glitz, grit and heart going for it.

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Photos

PHOTOS: Cupid’s Undie Run

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Published

16 hours ago

February 21, 2026

Michael Key

A dance party was held at Union Stage before Cupid's Undie Run on Saturday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Out & About

Sweat DC expands to Shaw

Community workout and social planned for March 14

Published

17 hours ago

February 21, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

Sweat DC is officially expanding to Shaw, opening a new location at 1818 7th St., N.W., on Saturday, March 28 — and they’re kicking things off with a high-energy, community-first launch event.

To celebrate, Sweat DC is hosting Sweat Fest, a free community workout and social on Saturday, March 14, at 10 a.m. at the historic Howard Theatre. The event features a group fitness class, live DJ, local food and wellness partners, and a mission-driven partnership with the Open Goal Project, which works to expand access to youth soccer for players from marginalized communities.

For more details, visit Sweat DC’s website and reserve a spot on Eventbrite.

Calendar

Calendar: February 20-26

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

2 days ago

February 20, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, Feb. 20

Center Aging Monthly Luncheon with Yoga will be at noon at the D.C. LGBTQ+ Community Center. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.

Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the D.C. Center. This will be a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome! We’ll have card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the Center’s website.

Go Gay DC will host “First Friday LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Saturday, Feb. 21

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

LGBTQ People of Color will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgement free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.

Sunday, Feb. 22

Queer Talk DC will host “The Black Gay Flea Market” at 1 p.m. at Doubles in Petworth. There will be more than 15 Black queer vendors from all over the DMV in one spot. The event’s organizers have reserved the large back patio for all vendors, and the speak easy for bar service, which will be serving curated cocktails made just for the event (cash bar.) DJ Fay and DJ Jam 2x will be spinning the entire event. For more details, visit Eventbrite.

Monday, Feb. 23

“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam at [email protected].

Tuesday, Feb. 24

Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so — by sharing struggles and victories the group allows those newly coming out and who have been out for a while to learn from others. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.

Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary, whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100 percent cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.

Wednesday, Feb. 25

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

Asexual and Aromantic Group will meet at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. For more details, email [email protected].

Thursday, Feb. 26

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center. To be more fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.

Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.