Billy Elliot
at West Potomac High School

Reviewed on May 6, 2017

Emily Lachow
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

The muffled shouts of protesters and policemen introduce us to the English coal miners' strike of the 1980s; tensions are high, money is tight, and patience is thin. Meanwhile, as these strikers fight with solidarity for their right to work, a young boy also fights for his right to dance. West Potomac traded boxing gloves for ballet shoes in their production of Billy Elliot, inspiring us all to follow our dreams and dance our hearts out along the way.

Billy Elliot began as a 2000 film, based upon AJ Cronin's 1935 novel The Stars Look Down. The first musical adaptation premiered in 2005 in London's West End, with music by the renowned Elton John. Upon its arrival to Broadway in 2008, Billy Elliot the Musical garnered ten Tony Awards, including a win for Best Musical. The story follows the 1980s UK miners' strike. Amidst the chaos and strife of rebellion, a young boy named Billy Elliot falls in love with the grace of ballet, despite his father's pressure to pursue boxing. The musical chronicles two simultaneous struggles: Billy's struggle to achieve his dream of dance, and the miners' struggle to achieve their dream of a successful riot.

Although Franco Cabanas is still in middle school, his performance as Billy Elliot was no less powerful than that of a high schooler's. Cabanas tackled the challenging choreography with remarkable technical prowess and passion. Additionally, Cabanas defined completely believable relationships with the older actors onstage, allowing both the heart-wrenching and heart-warming moments to unfold organically. His scenes with his father (Jonathan Barger) were particularly touching. In his own right, Barger was clearly also a skilled performer. Not only did Barger maintain a convincing Geordie accent from start to finish, he also performed with clear emotional dexterity; Barger allowed his powerful and combative persona to crumble, revealing streaks of vulnerability and paternalism. Tony (Tony Lemus) and Grandma (Frankie Mananzan) rounded out the Elliot family, Lemus with his striking intensity and Mananzan with her maternal demeanor.

Yet another notable performer was Josh Stein as Mr. Braithwaite and Older Billy. Stein's performance as Braithwaite provided bursts of comedy and wonderfully skilled dancing, especially when tap dancing while jump-roping. As Mr. Braithwaite's dance class companion, Mrs. Wilkinson (Adrianna DeLorenzo) also demonstrated commendable dancing abilities, all the while maintaining strong vocals.

The miners ensemble together portrayed the struggle and hardship of a strike with emotional depth and unity. This was especially noticeable in "Solidarity," which the actors delivered with power and intention.

One especially noteworthy feat of this production was the entirely student done Dream Ballet. The starry backdrop, graceful choreography, and exceptional use of a fly system that allowed Cabanas to (safely) soar through the air all combined to create an absolutely gorgeous sequence that wholly captured the essence of Billy's dream. Throughout the production, the lighting design was executed with clean and precise transitions, and also impressively adhered to the mood of each scene. The costume crew also had a difficult task set before them, with a large ensemble and numerous costume changes, and the team was certainly up to the challenge; the revolving array of costumes were all period and character appropriate. The choreography was another laudable technical element. Even during crowded dance numbers, when the dancing could easily be cluttered, the movement was crisp and engaging.

From start to finish, the students of West Potomac danced their way into our hearts. Their rendition of Billy Elliot was an impactful reminder to reach for the stars in times of hardship.

Lydia Gompper
George Mason High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

Art holds the power of liberation. Liberation from expectations, from pain, from the ills of society. In West Potomac High School's electric production of "Billy Elliot," a boy on the cusp of manhood, surrounded by conflict of class and family, finds his own liberation in a pointed toe and a perfect pirouette.

Based on the 2000 film of the same name, "Billy Elliot" leaped onto London's West End in 2005 and quickly became a worldwide phenomenon, crossing the pond to Broadway in 2008. With book by Lee Hall and music by Elton John, the show follows young Billy as – after getting caught up in a rowdy ballet class after his own unhappy boxing lesson – he discovers and pursues his love for the art of dance. Meanwhile, the men of Billy's Liverpool neighborhood, including his father and brother, put down their pickaxes for an exhausting year-long miners' strike. The two stories interweave to form a complex treatise on the importance of community and standing firm in the battle for one's rights – the right to dance, or the right to work.

West Potomac High School has delivered a polished, emotionally mature, and visually captivating production. In a musical so deeply entrenched in the theme of group camaraderie, a strong ensemble is vital, and this sizeable cast met that need perfectly. From the hoard of squealing ballet girls to the deeply moving and vocally powerful brotherhood of miners, every performer possessed their own unique character while maintaining the necessary cohesion for larger, full-cast musical numbers. Dance moves wowed across the board, with complex, layered choreography executed with smooth skill and boundless energy.

The leading role of Billy Elliot himself was stunningly performed by Franco Cabanas. His precocious talent for ballet was breathtaking, as were his pure, crystalline vocals. Cabanas also maintained beautiful, layered relationships with his fellow cast members, highlighting the vitality of family, friendship, and mentorship. Most striking of all was the paternal chemistry between Billy and his father, played by Jonathan Barger. The pair gave a nuanced representation of the fierce devotion, sacrifice, and frustration of a parent-child bond. Barger himself presented perhaps the most poignant performance of the night, with a realistic depiction of a widower fighting for both his family and his livelihood.

The talent pool at West Potomac was deep, with numerous supporting cast members making lasting impressions. Adrianna DeLorenzo gave a commanding performance as Mrs. Wilkinson, Billy's bold, good-hearted dance teacher. She showed strong vocals in musical numbers such as "The Letter," in which she displayed a lovely emotional capacity while reading out the last message of Billy's deceased mother. Josh Stein, meanwhile, offered an outlandish humor and fantastic dance skill as the ballet studio's pianist Mr. Braithwaite. His simultaneous tap dancing and jump-roping left mouths agape.

This production was tied together by the work of its designers and crew members. Lighting cues were crisp, adding atmosphere to moments such as the miners' return to work, a golden glow on their faces. Special effects also thrilled, particularly in the awe-inspiring "Dream Ballet" as Billy danced with his older self. The crew utilized a harness and pulley system to allow Billy to literally soar through the air, elegantly spinning against a backdrop of stars. Finally, student choreographer Natalie Edwards handled this dance-heavy show stupendously, creating delightful stage pictures through the interaction of ballerinas, miners, and policemen in musical numbers such as "Solidarity."

West Potomac High School's production of "Billy Elliot" was truly special. As Billy's shout of "I'm free!" rang out, the audience's hearts felt a little freer, too.

Will LeHardy
Washington Lee High School
Submitted for publication to Red Apple 21 - FCPS

As a poor mining community struggles for their right to work, a young boy longs to be a ballet dancer. Will his father accept his passion? Will the miners ever mine again? West Potomac High School's Billy Elliot explores this conflict with passion and "Electricity."

The musical was met with acclaim when it opened on Broadway in 2008, winning ten Tony Awards that season including Best Musical. The play revolves around Billy Elliot, a boy growing up in a poor northern England mining town that goes on strike over looming threats of the government closing the coal mines. The show utilizes many dance forms, including tap and ballet, to show Billy's emotional progress as he learns to be a ballet dancer against the wishes of his blue-collar father.

The role of Billy was played by Franco Cabanas in a stunning feat of endurance. Billy has historically been a demanding role for many young performers, the original Broadway cast having three boys rotate through the part. Cabanas played Billy with dexterity, dancing, tapping, and singing his character's journey from a lower-class miner's son to a student at the Royal Ballet School. Most impressive from this talented young performer was his ballet skills, gracefully executing leaps and fouetté turns across the stage.

Playing Billy's father was Jonathan Barger, a passionate and authentic performance that explored the conflict between work and family felt by a grieving father. This was most especially evident in his number "Deep into the Ground," a folk tune that also mourned the loss of his job and his wife, Billy's mother, who had passed away before the plot of the musical began.

Teaching Billy to dance was the charismatic Adrianna DeLorenzo as Mrs. Wilkinson, a mother in the community who gives ballet lessons in the local school gym. DE Lorenzo's performance as a no-nonsense and feisty instructor was a constant source of energy throughout the performance, especially at the end of the first act in her fiery argument with Billy's brother, played by Tony Lemus. DeLorenzo was also able to give her character a sensitive side, as well, culminating in her beautiful duet with Billy's deceased mother, sung by Kat Amato.

The musical was technically outstanding, particularly in the use of colorful, cinematic lighting, an enormous and detailed set design, and in each of the student-made costumes that matched the 1980's time period of the musical. Vibrant, sophisticated, and entirely student-created, the choreography perfectly utilized the production's large ensemble, particularly in the number "Solidarity." Most impressive, however, was the flying effect used in the play's dream ballet sequence. This impressive effect had Billy attached to a harness and soaring over the stage against a backdrop of a starry sky, a beautiful moment in the overall outstanding performance.

Despite some microphone hiccups and the occasional confusion of accents, West Potomac's Billy Elliot stands as a testament not only to the power of the human spirit but also to the power of theatre and dance.

Theresa Carr
The Madeira School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

In a small coal-mining town in North England, there sits a young boy with a dream he himself has never quite realized. At West Potomac High School, the stage was transformed into this forlorn town, and lead actor Franco Cabanas danced life into the title character of Billy Elliot. With constant energy and charm, West Potomac kept the entire audience on the edge of their seats.

Based on the 2000 movie of the same name, the book and lyrics were written by Lee Hall and the music by Elton John. The show follows Billy as he discovers a passion for ballet in the class of Mrs. Wilkinson, played by Adrianna DeLorenzo. However, Billy's father (Jonathan Barger) expects Billy to grow up and be a miner like the rest of his family. Meanwhile, Billy's family and community is in turmoil as government subsidies for the mining industry are removed, and a miner's strike takes place in their town with Billy's dad and brother at the center of it. Through the help of his friend Michael (Grant Hamilton) and Ms. Wilkinson, Billy learns how to express himself despite his unstable world.

From the moment the curtain opened to the finale, Billy Elliot was jam-packed with dancing. Cabanas's expressive dancing was precise—even when his character was only learning to dance, his mistakes were intentional and this realness solidified Billy's journey. Another energetic dance performance was found in Mr. Braithwaite's character, played by Josh Stein, who also made a cameo as older Billy in a dream dance number. Stein effectively portrayed the comedic relief Mr. Braithwaite provided, while charming the audience with his ballet number as Older Billy.

Strong acting performances were given by both Barger and DeLorenzo as Billy's father and dance teacher respectively. Barger developed his character with the grace of a prima ballerina as he grew to understand Billy's dream. Supported by a strong bass voice, Barger brought an emotional backbone to the show and created a very sympathetic character. DeLorenzo took pride in her bold and hilarious character as Mrs. Wilkinson, giving a comedic performance that made the audience root for not only Billy, but for her.

Ensembles gave a strong showing, accentuating the political messages of the show in an entertaining way. The ballerina ensemble were a definite highlight of the show, and the group executed their ditzy roles with pride and hilarity. The coal miner's dancing, while not as extravagant as the rest of the ballet, served to complement their roles as everymen and ground the high-flying dreams of Billy in the miners' harsh reality. These ensembles were integrated expertly in the song, "Solidarity," which was student choreographed by Natalie Edwards, with a posh ballet number interspersed between the miner's riots.

The tech elements of Billy Elliot stunned the audience with their precision and effectiveness. Lighting cues were crisp and well-timed, and succeeded in intensifying fun and dramatic moments. The production also made amazing use of their fly system by pulling Billy into the air during one dance. Microphone issues caused some problems with understanding actors at the beginning of the show, but were largely resolved as the show went on.

West Potomac's production of Billy Elliot dazzled the audience, giving a showing that was truly on-pointe!

Kyle Dalsimer
Annandale High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

With a story involving an unfair politician leading the nation, and a child who is afraid of being judged for doing what he loves because it isn't considered right for his gender, Billy Elliot was the show we all needed to see, and West Potomac High produced. With high-flying special effects, breathtaking dancing and music from the legendary Elton John, this production kept the audience enthralled and begging for more when the curtains finally closed.

Set in 1984 in a small mining town in County Durham, England, the residents of Everington Village are on strike due to their unhappiness with wages, as well as their disapproval of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who was against their strike and was willing to send military action against the striking coal workers. This plot is highlighted beautifully in the set of Billy Elliot. With graffiti covering some walls and bland, almost lifeless colors from both the set and lighting crew, it not only highlighted the state of poverty everyone was in, but also their state of unhappiness.

Technical theatre, although sometimes overshadowed by the performers, is essential to make a musical run. The tech crew of Billy Elliot did not disappoint. Special Effects were center stage when Billy Elliot was lifted from the ground and flew from a cable during a dance, causing the audience to explode into applause. In addition to special effects, the Orchestra was a cut above most high school pits. With extremely difficult music to play, they not only met, but exceeded what was expected of them, as they were never overpowering or too quiet.

The performance of Jonathan Barger as Dad was a stellar one. With big emotions and an energy that drew all eyes to him, Barger was the perfect fit for a character who is struggling to understand what the right thing to do for his children is. In addition to his spectacular acting, Barger highlighted his vocal talent in his solo piece "Deep In The Ground."

Josh Stein played two roles in this production, as Mr. Braithwaite the pianist and Older Billy in their dance duet. Whenever Stein was on stage, the audience was excited to see what would happen next. With beautiful dancing and hilarious accompaniment to the scenes, Stein was an impact performer at all times.

Mrs. Wilkerson, played by Adrianna DeLorenzo, brought stellar vocals and a deeply layered personality to her character, performing well beyond her years. Throughout numerous songs, DeLorenzo showcased her vast range as a singer and lead some numbers into a near professional quality.

What made this show unique was its amazing ensemble of performers. The lower class English accent is not an easy one to pull off, yet the entire cast did just that, something that is not typical of a high school production. In addition to that, every single person in the cast was a good tap dancer, as highlighted in the finale.

Having a high school cast who can pull off such a difficult show, and make it fantastic is not an easy task by any measure, yet West Potomac stepped it up even a notch higher, and gave the audience a performance that could have you laughing at one moment, crying the next, and cheering for more when the curtain finally closed on an amazing production.

Mira Soni
Washington Lee High School
Submitted for publication to Insidenova - Sun Gazette

What do ballet, Maggie Thatcher masks, and dancing dresses all have in common? Just look to West Potomac High School's production of Billy Elliot to find out. The show, written by Lee Hall with music by Elton John, tells the story of a young boy in a small mining town in England who discovers his passion for dance during the 1984 coal miners strike.

Franco Cabanas brought impressive skill and emotional depth to the character of Billy, and his nuanced relationships to his father and Ms. Wilkinson grew more fascinating as the show progressed. Billy's Dad, played by Jonathan Barger, demonstrated a commanding stage presence and brought a quiet intensity to his role. His song at the beginning of the second act, "Deep into the Ground", showed off his vocal skills as well. As Ms. Wilkinson, played by Adrianna DeLorenzo, showed off her powerhouse vocals in "Shine". Billy's Grandma, played by Frankie Mananzan, had excellent comedic timing, and "Grandma's Song" was one of the highlights of Act I.

In a large scale production like this one, a cohesive ensemble is essential. The vivacious ballet girls each brought their own hilariously chaotic characters to their scenes. The miners demonstrated intense emotional depth and alacrity. Their harmonies in "Once We Were Kings" were especially stunning.

The most impressive technical element in the show was the use of a student-run flight system during Act 2's "Dream Ballet." The use of flying brought the dance performance to the next level, and the technical execution was flawless. The lights followed fast paced cues and were executed with perfect timing. They changed from green and blue hues in scenes between Billy and his mother to flashing red strobe lights during the "Angry Dance." The skill of the costumes crew (Kaylie Kopicki, Corna Ryan, Valentina Selnick and Becca Roberts) shone in the show-stopping number, "Expressing Yourself", where giant dancing dresses came on stage and joined Billy and Michael in tap-dancing their way to individuality. The show was supported by a vast, detailed set (built by Ella Moore, Elaina Phalen, Logan Claussen and the West Potomac High School Set Crew), which included such details as a Boy George poster in Michael's room, and realistic graffiti in the school bathroom stall where Billy often hid. An impressive 200 props were used, many of which were made by the props crew (Mckenna Wirth, Alanna Belmont, Helen Kitrosser, and the West Potomac High School Props Team), all of which appeared to fit perfectly into the world of the show. West Potomac's excellent pit orchestra flawlessly executed Elton John's music without overpowering the actors. West Potomac executed this behemoth of a show with excitement and integrity.

Emma Rood
Herndon High School
Submitted for publication to Alexandria Times

Get ready to feel the "Electricity" that emits from the extraordinary cast of "Billy Elliot" at West Potomac High School; if you're looking for a night of energy, drama, and inspiration, boogie on over and catch this spirited show! Based on the 2000 film of the same name, "Billy Elliot" opened in London's West End in 2005, winning four Olivier Awards that year. After becoming a smash hit, it opened in New York and won ten Tony Awards, running from 2008 to 2012. Creating even more opportunities for young actors to be involved in theatre, "Billy Elliot" has been popular among all ages.

The show follows Billy, a young boy living with his father, brother, and grandmother, who takes an interest in ballet and dropping boxing. Taking place during the 1980's mining strike in England, Billy's working class family is heavily involved in the strike which forces Billy into keeping his newfound love for ballet a secret. His dance teacher Mrs. Wilkinson suggests he audition for the Royal Ballet School, but his dad finds out and tensions blow up. But through love, acceptance, perseverance, and lots and lots of dancing, Billy and his family find a way to make all of his dreams come true.

In the title role of Billy, Franco Cabanas was an absolute star, with all of the hard work put into this difficult role paying off big time. Cabanas, only in sixth grade, danced and sang extremely passionately and left the audience with their hearts full. Jonathan Barger as Billy's father, was very realistic in the portrayal of a hardworking man who is trying to hold his family together. Tears were brought to the audience's eyes in his song "Deep Into the Ground", and from that point on his character's arc was turned around and executed flawlessly. Another performance of note is Adrianna DeLorenzo (Mrs. Wilkinson), who was sassy and powerful while also being the mother Billy was missing in his life.

The multiple ensembles were strong both together and separate, and when all on stage in numbers such as "Solidarity" they brought extreme power and influence. Some of the story lines are hard to understand as high school students but they handled it with maturity and depth, especially the ones involved in the strike. There were some differences in accents, but they were consistent and very impressive, along with the difficult choreography that the ensemble executed fabulously.

As far as tech elements are concerned, they really lifted (quite literally, in some cases) the show even further. The standout special effect was the wire used to lift Billy up into the air during his dream sequence, which made the scene exquisitely beautiful and surreal. Lights were consistently spot on and supported the emotions of the show by using different colors for different feels, and special effects such as a strobe light during "Angry Dance". The microphones cut out quite a bit during the first act, but was significantly better in the second, and the cast handled the blips quite professionally. Costumes, all student made and designed, were very impressive and the large dancing dresses during "Expressing Yourself" garnered quite a few chuckles from the audience.

Through the use of beautiful special effects and tech elements, along with a strong and passionate cast, "Billy Elliot" is sure to inspire and entertain. West Potomac High School's cast was "born to boogie", and they sure did it well.

Elise VanLeer
Albert Einstein High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

Even if you're not pirouetting across stage, West Potomac's production of Billy Elliot will keep you dizzily captivated with its "shine". The intense choreography and political backdrop keep this show complex and engaging, and West Potomac High School did not disappoint in their performance.

Based on the original film, Billy Elliot tells the tale of a young boy, Billy, who falls in love with ballet, an activity discouraged for young boys because of its association with negative stereotypes. The show takes place during the Coal Miner's strike in England, providing a politically charged background to the young boy's story. With the help of dance teacher Mrs. Wilkinson, Billy's affection for dance becomes unavoidable, and ultimately leads to a change of perspective for his family and town. The show is heavy on choreography, as it is centered around Billy's love for dance, and features poignant commentary on class struggle, stereotypes, and individual expression.

Lead Franco Cabanas, playing Billy, was terrific in his vocal, acting, and choreography range. Despite Cabanas' youth, the consistency in the sensitivity and strength during his performance was impressive beyond his years, particularly in the scenes with his Dad (Jonathan Barger), where the chemistry unfolded marvelously. Bargers' execution of the Dad's character arc was one of the strongest aspects of the show, where he transforms from an angry widower to a softer, more accommodating father figure towards Billy. Bargers' talent shown in the heartbreaking and moving number, "Deep Into the Ground". Despite the intensity of some scenes, it was balanced by the comedic moments and numbers, like that of "Expressing Yourself". Sung by Michael (Grant Hamilton) and Billy, it is simultaneously funny and heartwarming. Mr. Braithwaite, the perpetually intoxicated piano player, was terrifically played by Josh Stein, who showcased his humor, vocal range, and choreography skills in "We Were Born to Boogie". Notably, Mrs. Wilkinson played by Adrianna DeLorenzo had terrific, over-the-top numbers like "Shine" and "We were Born to Boogie", demonstrating both bravado and warmth in her motherly affection towards Billy.

The leads' terrific performances were only amplified by the ensembles of the ballet girls and ensemble minors. The ballet girls were consistently high-energy, and each seemed to have their own, developed persona. Their scenes featured impressive choreography, and were hilarious in their clumsily uncoordinated dance scenes, managing to look good... dancing badly. The minors were consistent in their harmonies, and added depth and unity to the production in the catchy numbers "Solidarity" and "Once We Were Kings".

The talent of performers were reciprocated by that of the tech and crew. The attention to detail is immediately apparent in the complex and faced-paced lighting scenes, and which were designed to highlight the bodies and choreography. We were quite literally blown away with the use of the student-operated assisted flying mechanism during the Dream Ballet, beautifully executed against the "starry sky" background. Particularly in scenes like "Solidarity" and "Angry Dance", the juxtaposition of police, strikers, and Billy was heightened by lighting choices, which used strobe and quick changes. Finally, the work that was put into choreography was evident, as the numbers seemed very coordinated. Consistencies in some patterns of movement and dance helped to pull the show together, particularly in the culminating number "Finale".

West Potomac's production of Billy Elliot was beautifully executed, and completely enjoyable for audience and performers alike. The performance truly highlighted its cast and crews' "star quality", making it an all-around impressive show.

Kelsey Loesch
Paul VI Catholic High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

Unsure of whether or not to trade in your boxing gloves for ballet shoes? West Potomac's outstanding production of Billy Elliot the Musical may convince you to do just that!

Billy Elliot premiered on the West End in 2005 and opened on Broadway three years later. The musical is based on the 2000 film of the same name. It features music and lyrics by Elton John and a book by Lee Hall. Billy Elliot is a young boy in 1980's England. Against his single father's wishes, Billy wants to be a dancer. His struggle plays out parallel to his community's struggle due to the 1984 miner's strike.

West Potomac's show was anchored by talented sixth grader, Franco Cabanas. Cabanas played Billy with a passion that rivals some adult performances. It takes an actor with a certain level of maturity to play a role like Billy, especially in a show with fairly adult content. Cabanas exceeded all expectations, proving himself to be a true triple threat from start to finish. Two particular standout numbers for Cabanas were "The Letter" and "Electricity." The emotion onstage coupled with Cabanas' voice moved the audience to tears.

Billy's father was played by Jonathan Barger. It was evident Barger poured his heart into the role of a struggling single father trying to do what was best for his son. His devotion to both his cause and his family resulted in the extremely powerful "Deep Into the Ground." Tony, Billy's brother, played by Tony Lemus, had an impressive transformation as he evolved from a hardened union bully to a supportive older brother. Frankie Mananzan who played Billy's Grandma made her featured part a memorable one in the heart wrenching, "Grandma's Song."

Mrs. Wilkinson, Billy's eccentric ballet teacher, was played by Adrianna DeLorenzo. DeLorenzo commanded the stage with a fun energy. "Shine" and "We Were Born to Boogie," featuring the hilarious Ballet Girls and Mr. Braithwaite (Josh Stein) respectively, were both over-the-top dance numbers that stood out among the hard-hitting scenes. DeLorenzo herself stood out in emotional moments like "The Letter" and when confronting Billy's father. Grant Hamilton, as Billy's best friend, Michael, was fabulous in the spectacular, "Expressing Yourself."

The Miners created a realistic ensemble. The complex emotions the men felt came through in the Act 2 number, "Once We Were Kings." Large company numbers, like "Solidarity," were where the cast shined. As the Miners, Ballet Girls, and Cops clashed onstage, the organized chaos culminated in a showstopping mix of vocals, passion, and dance.

Student designed Costumes and Lights are notable for their attention to detail and creative decisions. Impressive aerial work in the gorgeous "Dream Ballet" was completely student operated and extremely commendable.

Billy Elliot has an undeniable love of performing, and the cast of West Potomac's production clearly share that love. As the actors struck their final pose, the feeling of "Electricity" in the theatre was undeniable. From start to finish, Billy Elliot was a hit.