For ‘Billy Elliot’ dance chief, art imitates life
IF YOU GO
What: “Billy Elliot The Musical”
When: Friday through Dec. 12 (times vary)
Where: Palace Theatre, 1519 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
Tickets: $35 to $130; call 216-241-6000 or 866-546-1353, or go to PlayhouseSquare.org
- Place:Palace Theater, Playhouse Square
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1519 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH
By John Benson
Fiction mirroring reality is what Kurt Froman, the resident choreographer for “Billy Elliot The Musical,” sees every time he watches a production of the 2009 Tony Award-winner for Best Musical, which comes to Cleveland on Friday through Dec. 12 at the State Theatre.
In a nutshell, “Billy Elliot The Musical” details the journey of a young boy who stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class only to discover his dream to dance. Naturally, society’s perception of dance causes quite a stir. And it’s that stir that Froman said rang true in his life.
“Absolutely, I grew up in Texas, and at that time there wasn’t ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ or anything that was part of mainstream culture,” said Froman, calling from Durham, N.C. “So when I was growing up and people heard I danced, they didn’t really know what to make of it, especially when I said ballet. They thought it was just jumping around in tights. They didn’t understand what went into it and what an amazing art form it is. That’s kind of true with the character Billy Elliot. He kind of falls into this dance class and finds out how much he loves it. It’s such a struggle for him, but ultimately it’s something he has to do. It’s not a choice. This is about this boy’s salvation and hope for the future. It’s a very personal story.”
A very endearing story is what the film “Billy Elliot” was to the movie-going public upon its release in 2000. The independent flick didn’t become an international sensation; however, it did speak to rock legend Elton John who ended up writing the score to the stage production, which debuted in 2005 in London’s West End. It wasn’t until 2008 that the show reached Broadway where it eventually won 10 Tony Awards.
Froman, a former New York City Ballet Company member who was the lead in the 2002 Broadway production of “Movin’ Out,” said John’s involvement in the musical is integral to the show’s success. Specifically, he believes the music paints a different picture than most productions of a similar ilk.
“I know Elton John was a big proponent of this becoming a Broadway show because he identified with a lot of what Billy goes through in getting his father’s approval,” Froman said. “He felt that was something he never had as a musician, and it was something that really touched his heart; that’s why he was pushing for it to be a Broadway show, because it’s so moving.
“And our show is so unusual. It really does feel like a play with music and dancing instead of a typical musical-theater show. It’s pretty groundbreaking, honestly. If people go in maybe thinking it’s just about a boy who gets into ballet, it’s so much more with political unrest and a miners strike. It becomes more about the community, similar to what people are feeling today with the economy and people wanting their jobs and trying to make ends meet. Yet it’s a very hopeful story at the same time.”
In the end, Froman believes “Billy Elliot The Musical” became a smash success because it rings so true in all walks of life, touching not only on human insecurities but also confidence and achieving one’s dream.