People were kidding with director Stephen Daldry about his fine new film “The Reader,” starring Kate Winslet in post-Holocaust Germany. The director of film and theater was helping to edit that heavy duty subject and running to “Billy Elliot” rehearsals just down the street for relief-not that this British import set against the background of the coal miners' strike in Northern England is a mere romp-although you could take it as one. The hottest ticket on Broadway famously stars 3 Billy's and according to 12 year old Frank Dolce who plays Michael one of two who perform as his sidekick in dance, cross dressing, and diva demeanor, each brings something different to the part. Frank and I had a chance to discuss this matter when we met seated on a plush leather divan across from Ben Gazzarra at the “Doubt” premiere at the Metropolitan Club. Over Asian noodles he told me how he's being tutored so he can handle the rigors of theater, how awesome it was to have this Broadway debut at so young an age-some people wait a lifetime, and so on. And, he's the first kid you see in John Patrick Shanley's movie, an awakening altar boy with a smile who skips off to choir practice. I asked how much he knew about what the priest (Philip Seymour Hoffman) was accused of. We just learn our lines, said Frank innocently. So I was somewhat surprised at last week's matinee of “Billy Elliot,” not realizing how prominent his role is in this truly wonderful show, and how provocative. His character and Billy wear tutus together as well as other girlie clothes in a show stopping “Expressing Yourself.” Trent Kowalik was Billy and watching him dance, I could not remember what Frank told me: did he excel in tap or ballet? He was so good at both. And I never did see Frank's Michael either, as David Bologna superbly vamped that bravura role. But here at the crowded “Doubt” premiere Frank schmoozed with legendary actors like Sylvia Miles about union dues. Offering some advice the two time Oscar nominee told him, don't stop paying them because when you retire, they support you. Then he said gamely looking for an exit line, “you come to a premiere you drink, you slam something down, and then it takes the rest of the night to say goodbye.” “You're telling me, kid,” said Sylvia.
Yeah. I agree. But I hate him at first.
Posted by: air jordan shoes | February 16, 2011 at 05:54 PM