Six Billy Elliots!
Six.
Count them. Six!
There were six young male dancers playing the demanding part of Billy Elliot on Broadway. All were middle-school/early high school age.
It was a privilege to attend the show before it ended its long run on Broadway. I was able to briefly chat with the cast and crew after the performance the week of the Blizzard of 2010. Sir Elton John wrote a brilliant musical score to accompany this theatrical performance.
As noted in a past Blog-O-Sphere post, I posed the question, “Where will our next generation of artists come from if we are not promoting the arts in American public schools?”
It is sad to report, the ability to crank out a dry formula, 5-paragraph essay or answer with precision a multiple choice question is far more important and valued these days by many school administrators and curriculum coordinators. I place value on children and young adults to learn necessary academic skills to compete in our complex work world. I also value allowing public school children to leap with WILD ABANDON across a public school gymnasium floor. If the gym floor creeks and is in disrepair–fix it. To me, a gym floor is a learning environment. So too is a stage. Chorus risers are a landscape of learning. A bandstand? One learns from music. Art is education. Education should be an art. The arts should be part of all public education. Some do not see what I see.
The actor/dancer who played the part of Billy Elliot the day I attended the musical on Broadway had to have been 14 or 15 years of age. He was classically trained in song, dance, and acting. Yet, it was his dancing that captivated the audience.
Theater etiquette teaches one not to clap during a performance. It breaks the flow of a performance and often breaks the concentration of performers.
Rule broken.
When the musical called for Billy to dance in a fit of rage, one could feel his anger by watching his dance movements. When Billy and his friend danced during a mischievous scene, audience members truly sensed childhood innocence with a twist of “we-better-not-get-caught!”
When the infamous ballet dream sequence began, with muted lighting, stage fog, ethereal flying and spinning…………I HAD to clap—and cry.
Why tears?
Because I was watching art. I was touched by pure performance art. Think for a moment. It was a young dancer and a mature dancer moving with grace and synchronicity that caused tears of joy. Art moves the soul. Does an multiple choice question move the soul?
Back in the day, when I attended a very hip, progressive, Harvard School of Education supported, public elementary school, folk dancing was gutted from the curriculum. It was replaced with videotaping us walk across a balance beam. This was when video cameras were the size of Alaska and used reel-to-reel tape. Folk dancing caused “too many snickers.” It went the way of the Pony Express.
I believe folk dancing is part of our American heritage, just the way basketball is part of our American heritage. Dancing and basketball involve movement, coordination, quick turns, agility, spins, and concentration. You work up a sweat participating in both activities. Ah! That is why men folk dancers have a towel hanging from their belts!
Who now knows how to Do-si-Do? What about dancing a Left Hand Star? Wow, does that look so cool when done correctly? Even when messed up, a Left Hand Star still is cool to watch or dance. Dust off out your barn dance dictionaries. Who knows what the term “chekessia” means? Is it a cheese from Wisconson? A chess move? Something from the Soviet Era? What? Work with me people.
Back in elementary school I was in the mood to swing a partner. I wanted to promenade. Hell, I would have Do si Do’ed with the best of ’em, yet I was denied the opportunity to dance the visually appealing Left Hand Star. Could I have been the Billy Elliot of Hamilton Elementary School?
I do not live in the past. I use to, but no more.
What a shame to see dance, visual art, and music programs gutted and disintegrate from public schools.
When the casting call goes out for the next Billy Elliot-like musical, will they find an American you boy to dance, act, and sing, the part…………or will we in-source what we no longer have in America–a strong arts infrastructure.
We all pay taxes for public schools. Even if you send your child or children to private schools, a hefty portion of your property taxes goes towards public education. Now is the time to ask your school committee members, precinct captains, alder-persons, city councilpersons, school principal, school curriculum coordinator, school board, PTA or PTO president, or school district school superintendent, “Have you seen Billy Elliot, either the movie or the Broadway play? If yes, does your school have a program that would produce the NEXT Billy Elliot?
“If not, why not?”
Promenade. Now circle to the left, now circle to the right. Bow to your partner.
I felt real good typing these last fifteen words.
Brendan Ben Feeney
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:53 am
I read books for a while–but now I changed to great blogs. Your place is one example why I decided to pay more attention to the Internet. The Internet is updated more than books these days. Information is generated very fast.
January 23rd, 2011 at 10:24 am
You’re right about this.
January 23rd, 2011 at 3:55 pm
Reading this blog, I realize it is helpful in so many ways. Genius!
January 23rd, 2011 at 5:46 pm
Thanks for the great post and for sharing some really good tips.
BBF’s editor passes thing message along to Jerrinehoward:
“I appreciate you were able to take away tips from my writing.” Best regards, Brendan Ben Feeney
January 23rd, 2011 at 8:10 pm
I often wander on to your site to find inspiration and ideas. I’ve never commented before but thought I’d say thanks for the examples provided here. Spacing has always been something that has been lacking in my designs and I have found this piece to but most helpful!!!
February 1st, 2011 at 5:04 am
A fantastic post……………
February 8th, 2011 at 6:13 am
Hello, We are a Bilingual School from Canarias and we are looking for new teachers as we expand to other cities. Send me your CV and I will be glad to estimate you for the job. Thank you.
BFF’s editor passes along this message to you from BFF:
“Thank you for thinking of me. Possibly I can visit your school and conduct a lecture on the arts, photography, cinematography, film, visual art, writing, and present an amazing slide show. Keep me in your files………” BBF
February 13th, 2011 at 7:23 am
….. I enjoy reading a post that will make people think. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment!
February 14th, 2011 at 3:06 am
Well written post, properly researched and useful for myself in the future.
February 16th, 2011 at 5:52 pm
This is my first time I visit here. I find useful stuff in your website especially the discussion from the a lot of comments on your articles. I guess I’ m not the only one receiving many satisfactions right here! Keep up the good job!
February 17th, 2011 at 10:03 am
When is the next post coming on this topic.
BBF’s editor notes BBF replies: “When Sir Elton John write a score for the next dance/musical, I will write about it. I hope you see Billy Elliott The Musical. A wonderful story unfolds.” BBF
February 18th, 2011 at 1:34 am
I would just like to let ufo know how much I learn from your website. I have bookmarked it and will be back fast for some more good articles.
February 25th, 2011 at 1:23 am
Thanks for sharing, but I think your useful post seriously need my useless comment 🙂
BFF’s editor notes this comment from BBF:
“Never consider your words useless.” Brendan Ben Feeney
February 25th, 2011 at 5:54 pm
Two Words: BLOG HEAVEN. I have hit the motherload,…..
February 27th, 2011 at 6:29 pm
A friend of mine told me to check out your blog. This is just the type of detail I was hunting for. I wish I’d have found your site earlier.
February 28th, 2011 at 5:20 am
I usually don’t post a comment on Blogs… but your blog forced me to. Amazing work ! And the layout…………
BBF’s editor passes along this message to y. m. from BBF:
“Thank you youth ministry. Glad to have you as a reader of my blog.” Brendan Ben Feeney
February 28th, 2011 at 5:33 am
BBF’s editor passes along this message to A. W.:
“I am happy to have you as a reader of my blog.” BBF
March 1st, 2011 at 11:50 am
You seem very knowledgeable in your field.
March 2nd, 2011 at 11:05 pm
Excellent writing job, I enjoyed it. I’ve looked around this web pages. The photos are really wonderful. Way to go.
March 10th, 2011 at 10:26 pm
I just book marked your blog on Digg and StumbleUpon.I enjoy reading your commentaries.
March 11th, 2011 at 3:38 am
Thank You For This Post. It was added to my bookmarks.
March 11th, 2011 at 11:32 pm
Hello. I read “Six Billy Elliots! | Brendan Ben Feeney”. It was fantastic.
March 12th, 2011 at 2:38 am
You certainly deserve a round of applause for your post and more specifically, your blog in general. Very high quality material.
March 16th, 2011 at 6:02 am
Cheers for this content. It has been a first-rate browse. This is what we are searching for… Appreciate your posting about it.
April 23rd, 2011 at 6:13 am
This is truly a great and helpful piece of info. I am glad that you just shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
May 3rd, 2011 at 5:00 am
Keep working…great job!
May 3rd, 2011 at 5:01 pm
You’re truly a just and right webmaster. Your website loading velocity is amazing. It seems what you are doing does the trick. Furthermore, the content of your posts are masterworks. You’ve done a excellent job with your website!
May 22nd, 2011 at 8:28 pm
Very informative post. Thanks for taking the time to share your view with us.
June 26th, 2011 at 9:40 pm
That was a informative article. Pleasant reading, and I will look forward to some further postings from you. Best Regards… Valuable info. Lucky me I found your site by accident, I bookmarked it.
June 27th, 2011 at 9:21 am
Good blog, where did you come up with the knowledge for this piece of writing? I’m glad I found it though. I’ll be checking back to see other articles you have written.
BFF’s editor passes along this personal reply from BBF to Cris Wortz:
“Many thanks for taking time to comment, Cris. I was in New York City and happened to purchase a single ticket to see Billy Elliott: The Musical. I exited the theater inspired and energized. It was an amazing show. Hence, I had to share my excitement with someone–why not the readers of my blog?” Brendan Ben Feeney
July 16th, 2011 at 4:06 pm
You are a real deep thinker. Thanks for sharing.
July 26th, 2011 at 8:09 pm
Highly Recommended, good reviews.
August 20th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
Thanks so much for sharing all of the awesome info! I am looking forward to see more posts!
August 22nd, 2011 at 8:35 am
Greetings! I’ve been reading your weblog for some time now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Lubbock Texas! Just wanted to say keep up the excellent job!
BBF’s editor passes along this personal message from BBF to you:
“Lubbock………….home of Buddy H. (a rock pioneer)………….Home of a great University. You rock, Lubbock! Do take the time to post 3 of your 3 favorite things on my post about Lar L. Look back at ‘Ben’s Blog.’ I need to hear from more Texans. Yellow roses!!!!………see what thoughts you have triggered? Hehehehe.” Brendan Ben Feeney
August 22nd, 2011 at 2:43 pm
Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I truly enjoyed reading it. You happen to be a great author. I will always bookmark your blog and will come back from now on. I want to encourage you continue your writing. Have a nice holiday weekend!
August 22nd, 2011 at 5:43 pm
Greetings from California! I’m bored at work so I decided to check out your website on my Iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the information you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home…… Anyways, superb site!
August 24th, 2011 at 11:33 pm
This is a genuinely remarkable article. It looks like you have been writing for a while. Keep it up because of your posts high-quality….
October 12th, 2011 at 5:18 am
Love your post. Keep rockin …. Thumbs up!