journal culture
Growing into ‘Billy Elliot’ By Cindy Landrum | staff
so you know
kyle froman / contributing
What: “Billy Elliot the Musical” Ben Cook grew into the role of Billy, Where: Peace Center Concert Hall the title character in “Billy Elliott the Musical.” Now, he hopes he doesn’t outWhen: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, grow it before the end of the traveling 7:30 p.m. Broadway production’s current tour. Friday, Feb. 15 and Saturday, Feb. 16, 8 p.m. “I’m hitting a spurt and am really startSunday, Feb. 17, 6:30 p.m. ing to grow,” said Cook, one of four boys Tickets: $50 to $80 who alternate in the title role in “Billy Information: 864-467-3000 Elliott,” which opens a six-show run on Note: Show contains some strong language. Tuesday at Greenville’s Peace Center. May be unsuitable for children under 12. “Billy Elliot” has four young dancers, including Cook, who alternate in the title role. Each one performs twice a week but no more. “It’s a very challenging role,” said Adam Pelty, resident choreographer for the show. “It is taxing physically, emotionally and vocally.” “Billy Elliot” tells the story of one boy’s journey to make his dreams come true. Set in a small town, the story follows Billy as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, discovering a surprising talent that inspires his family and whole community and Four young dancers alternate playing the title role in “Billy Elliot the Musical.” changes his life forever. More than 60 boys have played Billy “It’s not really just a story about a boxer turned dancer,” said Cook, who is the since the musical made its world preNEXT miere. YOU The average Billy staysYEAR in the role production’s most veteran Billy. “It’s re- SEE ally more of a story of against all odds.” for 1.5 years. “It’s painful for the whole company to Cook, 15, has been with the show for two and a half years, first as a ensemble see Billy grow up,” Pelty said. “It really dancer, then as Michael and, for the last takes a special person to play the role.” Every Billy is assigned four pairs several months, the lead character. He says he started dancing mainly because of ballet slippers at a time – the show pair, a backup pair, a rehearsal pair his sisters did. Keeping up his stamina is the most and a promotions pair. In each show, challenging part of the role of Billy, Billy will wear seven pairs of shoes – Cook said. “There are eight really big a pair of sneakers, three pairs of tap dance numbers ranging from five min- shoes, a pair of ballet slippers, a pair of utes to 12 minutes long. You have to bedroom slippers and one pair of tap learn when to give more energy here covers. Each boy outgrows his shoes at and relax a little there. It’s a lot of hard least once, often twice, during his time work, playing Billy, but it’s just such a with the musical. Pelty said Cook is an amazing pergreat payoff. It’s a great feeling.” In addition to performing no more former and has an understanding of than two times a week, the four Billys the show that few people do because of take three ballet classes per week. They the time he spent in the ensemble and also take an acrobatics class, a tap class as Michael. But that doesn’t mean those and a core cardio class. They also have attending shows in which Billy is played by one of the show’s other boys will be rehearsals and 15 hours of school. For Pelty, the challenging part is to missing anything. “All of them are exceptional enough maintain consistency no matter which one of the Billys takes to the stage any to get the part,” Pelty said. “It takes a given night, but to also tailor the role to special dancer and a special personality to play this part.” each of the boy’s strengths. “There is some leeway,” Pelty said. “Some Contact Cindy Landrum at turn well to the left, others to the right. We clandrum@communityjournals.com. want to bring some creativity to it.”
BECOME PART OF HISTORY Leadership Greenville Class 39 is working with Greenville County Recreation District to refurbish a 70-year-old boxcar and create a unique destination that will be a resting/gathering point along the Greenville Hospital System Swamp Rabbit Trail. Swamp Rabbit Station will be at the center of the 17-mile trail, a heavily used resting and turn-around spot for families, cyclists and runners. You can be a part of this trail’s history by buying, or gifting, an engraved brick for $50. To buy your brick or learn more, visit www.SwampRabbitStation.com or snap the QR code below.
EYE CANDY for art lovers.
Greenville County
Museum of Art 420 College Street Greenville, SC 29601 864-271-7570 gcma.org
Wed - Sat 10 am - 6 pm Sun 1pm - 5 pm free admission
Journal and egreenville Art in the Air Ad.indd 3
FEBRUARY 8, 2013 | 2/6/13 The Journal 27 3:15:53 PM