By Raphael Sugarman
It’s no great surprise that a musical about a talented boy coming of age as a dancer during the 1984 British mineworkers’ strike is named after the lad. The producers of “Billy Elliot” also made sure to choose a talented group of young actors to alternate playing the role of Billy, including David Alvarez, Tommy Batchelor, Kiril Kulish as well as Trent Kowalik, who played the role the evening we attended the production.
Notwithstanding their prodigious talent as actors and dancers, these young Billys would surely agree that the enormous success of Broadway’s “Billy Elliot” — including its 10 Tony Awards — is an ensemble effort, very much like the miners’ strike it depicts.
Like many fans of the show, the Billys might point to the performance of Haydn Gwynne, who plays Mrs. Wilkinson, Billy’s prodding dance teacher; or Gregory Jbara, Billy’s father, who ultimately supports his son’s ambitions, at a time when his own ancestral livelihood as a miner is evaporating.
But Billy’s biggest supporter, or even alter ego, is his best friend Michael, played by 14-year-old Long Island City resident David Bologna.
“I definitely think that the character of Michael is a key part of this show,” said David. “He kind of gives Billy the drive he needs to go and take a chance. Had Michael not been in Billy’s life, the story would have been much different.”
Embedded in a world of miners dressed in worn blue jeans and steel-toed work boots, Michael is not afraid to wear a pink skirt in front of Billy and question the young dancer’s intestinal fortitude in “Expressing Yourself,” the seminal song in the musical’s first act.
“Who the hell is it you try to impress, all you have to do is learn to care less, start a new fashion, buck all the trends,” Michael implores Billy in song. “If you want to be a dancer, dance. If you want to be a miner, mine. If you want to dress like somebody else, fine, fine, fine.”
When Billy gets the chance to audition for the Britain’s prestigious Royal Ballet School, Michael gives his best buddy a peck on the cheek and tells him how much he’ll be missed.
“He definitely has mixed feelings,” said David. “He doesn’t want to see his best friend leave, but he realizes that under the circumstances it is best for him.”
David Bologna is all too familiar with being compelled to leave his beloved hometown, but not nearly for as promising a reason as Billy left Easington, a small town in northern England, for London. David lived in New Orleans until he was 10, but he and his family moved to Austin, Texas after Hurricane Katrina.
“I have tons of friends and family who are still in New Orleans and it was really difficult to say goodbye to them,” said David. “But at the time it was the right decision for us and we still see them all the time.”
It was while living in Texas that David first auditioned for “Billy Elliot,” in Dallas in February 2007. He tried out for the part of Billy, but had little to no experience as a ballet dancer and didn’t get the part.
But as anyone who has seen “Billy Elliot” can attest, David’s performances leave an indelible impression, and about 14 months after his first audition, the casting agency contacted him “out of the blue” to fly to New York the following weekend and audition for the part of Michael.
Unlike Billy Elliot, whose father was initially reticent about his son’s career as a performer, Ricky and Holly Bologna have always actively encouraged David. Ricky Bologna also plays the drums and Holly directed the local church choir. David played Winthrop in “The Music Man” when he was only 7 years old. Though “Billy Elliot” is David’s Broadway debut, he has already performed in 28 regional productions in New Orleans and Austin, and won regional awards for his roles in as Oliver Twist in “Oliver!” and Jojo in “Seussical.” David is also a world-class Irish dancer, though he is “not a drop Irish.”
But in the few days that he had to prepare for his audition, the young dancer learned that there are much greater differences between Irish dancing and the tap dancing moves Michael would need. “Tap dancing is a lot more loosey-goosey than Irish dancing. I had to work hard to prepare.”
In early April 2008, David was one of 12 boys who auditioned for the part. The competitors to play Billy Elliot’s best friend were reduced to six, then four, and finally to two before David was awarded the part two agonizing months later. “It was hard, but they never made us feel bad,” he said. “They never made us feel like it was an audition. It was always laid back.”
David said he couldn’t be happier with winning the part of Michael and playing the role. He still loves singing “Expressing Yourself” each time he performs. “It’s the same message to every single person in the audience as it is to Billy,” he said. “Don’t hold back. Put it on the line. It’s such a great feeling. Let your true colors shine through. Be distinctive. Be yourself.”
“Billy Elliot” is playing at the Imperial Theatre, 249 W. 45 St.
