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Re: Trent Kowalik's Day Off

robwills — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 02:00:31 -0000

Good to know Billy has a bit of fun along with all his hard work. But I hope you're doing well in your school lessons too. I always wondered if it would be easier or harder to be home schooled.

Re: Catch a wave…… - TrentKowalik.com | The Official Blog

robwills — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 18:01:50 -0000

Trent, yours is OK, but I really think a more stylish bathing suit is in order. I'm guessing you weigh only 85-88 pounds, for which Mr. Jbara thanks you.

By the way, did you finish the recent book in The Last Olympians series? What did you think? Which was your favorite in the series? I would love to write a similar series if I ever got a brilliant idea. I'm glad you're a reader.

If you ever got a letter at the theater containing a list of books you might like, that was from me.

Are you doing anything at the Bryant Park event?

Robert Wills

Re: Trent Kowalik's Day Off

robwills — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 02:54:26 -0000

Trent, thank you so much for this response. I am a school teacher myself and
you sound like a very intelligent and mature young man. The people who cast
your show couldn't have chosen more wisely.

Trent, I wonder if I could ask just one more question and then make a
request.

My question is: I notice that you, and now David as well, have been playing
Tall Boy in the show. I just wondered what the reason is. Could it be
because you would rather be out there doing Tall Boy than cooped up in your
dressing room for 3 hours? Did you volunteer to do this, or were you asked?
I find it interesting that you and David would do this.

Here is my request, and it's probably something you cannot do, but anyway...

I come from Canada to NYC. I have made 3 trips to NYC since Billy opened.
Although I have seen both Kiril and David more than once and Tommy on the
last trip, I still have not caught one of your performances. I sure would
like to be able to say that I saw the 4 original Billys, and I include Tommy
in that group. He's been with you since the beginning.

I realize that you will not know your schedule at this point in time, but I
will be in New York again on August 18 & 19. If you are going to be
performing Billy on any performance on those two days, I would really
appreciate knowing. Otherwise I will have to line up for Rush seats at every
performance and hope the names go up on the board before the Rush seats are
released. I am hoping if I send this message again around August 15 you
might be able to help me out and tell me if you are on. Canada is a long way
to come from to see you, but I am willing to do it.

Best wishes,
Robert

Re: Catch a wave…… - TrentKowalik.com | The Official Blog

robwills — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 03:47:24 -0000

That would be 90 pounds before a performance; 88 pounds after the show.
Right?

Re: Broadway.com: Ask a Star Interview - TrentKowalik.com | The Official Blog

robwills — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:14:08 -0000

What a wonderful set of interviews. But it's no fair, Trent. Talent, looks, brains, personality. You must be three of the nicest, as well as the most talented, boys in NYC. Do you guys plan to stay close after your runs in the show are over? People always say they will, and they probably mean it at the time, but things happen, and they drift apart without even realizing. You should meet up every year on Nov. 13, or at least call each other. By the way, anything special happening on Nov. 13 you can let us in on? I have my ticket.

Re: Broadway.com: Ask a Star Interview - TrentKowalik.com | The Official Blog

robwills — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 10:22:40 -0000

Again, thanks for posting this. You guys are so generous in your assessments of each another.
I would love to know the response to Natalie's question, Trent. Of course, it would also be interesting to know how the choice was made for Press Night & Opening Night. Some of the questions were silly but your answers were great.
I was particularly thrilled that David and Kiril admitted they listened to classical music. If even one viewer hears them say this and decides todeed. give classical music a try as a result, they have done a very good
Too bad the camera panned away from your feet during the Irish dance! About your ancestry, Trent; half-Irish, half-Polish? Just curious.

About The Olympians. What do you think about casting the characters a few years older for the movie version? I presume they did it just to make a strong love interest. I have a feeling this film will go the way of Eragon. Eragon could have made a far better movie if they had stuck to the characters' ages in the novel. Didn't happen.
Hope to see you Aug. 25 or 26 when I'm in the city.
Your Canadian fan
Rob Wills

Re: Pre-show fog check, August 8, 2009, matinee. - TrentKowalik.com | The Official Blog

robwills — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 11:44:01 -0000

Gosh! I sat in Row 2 right center orchestra right behind a 5 year old girl and her mother. As soon as the fog started, they began battling it as though it were a vicious enemy. It made it very difficult to concentrate on the aerial ballet. Why do parents bring such young children to your show, Trent? I would think that unless the child was heavily into dance they wouldn't really get it and certainly wouldn't appreciate it. I think BE is really more for adults than for children, although of course there are many kids who do get it; probably over 10 years old. What do you think?

It is an excellent photo, but did you need to be there?

Re: Broadway.com: Ask a Star Interview - TrentKowalik.com | The Official Blog

robwills — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 01:01:45 -0000

All 3 of you guys appear to have extra hair. I could really use some if you have any to spare. Some guys have all the luck.

Re: Catch a wave…… - TrentKowalik.com | The Official Blog

robwills — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 00:24:22 -0000

I see Trent didn't answer your question. On August 13 some of the current Bdwy musicals presented numbers from their show at Bryant Park in NYC. The Billy Elliot presentation came at the end. Except it didn't happen because the rains came. That meant the dance number couldn't be performed. I think the only Billy song performed was Once We Were Kings. I believe they were going to do Shine, perhaps with Tommy as Billy. Apparently it was rehearsed at the sound check, but they couldn't do it after all. They should have let the Billy performers go first with rain in the forecast.

Rob Wills

Re: Catch a wave…… - TrentKowalik.com | The Official Blog

robwills — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 10:23:00 -0000

I did say Trent's bathing suit was OK. In the second picture Trent is shown jumping into the water with another boy and a couple of girls. The other boy's bathing suit (it may be David B, but impossible to tell with the wet hair) is cooler.
The Olympians series is quite popular now. I think the last book is the final one of the series. There is an upcoming movie of the first book but they have made the main characters older, no doubt to add a spice of romance that isn't there in the novel. I think this is a mistake, but we'll see.
I do think Trent is terrific and any bathing suit he wants to wear is OK with me!

Re: Back to School!

robwills — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:52:03 -0000

Well, I am a retired school teacher, so I know the feeling from the other side. Although I'm sure your tutors have a far easier time of it. I take it that all you guys have the same teachers? What subjects exactly are you taking this year, and did you have a choice? Do you have exams and get report cards? Just curious. I have been impressed with so many of your responses here, so I'm sure you are doing really well. Good luck! Don't wish your school days over too fast. You may not believe it, but some day you just may want them back.

Re: Eager learners?? - TrentKowalik.com | The Official Blog

robwills — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:20:35 -0000

Great photo, Trent, but you look kind of hot and not all that happy. Is this at the theater?

Re: Sunset Boat Ride

robwills — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:03:59 -0000

Trent, would you like to own a boat someday? Is this now part of your lifestyle? You look happier than in your school picture from last week.

Re: Sunset Boat Ride

robwills — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:06:52 -0000

I volunteer! What kind of plotline? Dramatic like Billy? Funny/silly like Rock Of Ages? Clever like Wicked? What kind of music? More BETM or rock or Mary P or ..... I bet some day there will be a Harry Potter musical, but you'll be too old for it. I don't think the Olympians would cut it as a musical. How about the Hardy Boys the Musical starring Trent and Tommy? What about a sequel...Billy Elliot the Teen Years?

Re: Sunset Boat Ride

robwills — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:43:55 -0000

That's the second time you took over from Tommy. I would love to see Tommy stay with the show and rack up the performances and the accompanying paycheck, but he'd better be very careful. How did he fall? Was it in Angry Dance just before intermission? I wonder, do you get paid the same whether you are Billy, Tall Boy or back in your dressing room? I guess you get paid the same each week regardless? Look out for Tommy, Trent. He's a great kid. As are you...QED

Re: TrentKowalik.com | The Official Blog

robwills — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:49:15 -0000

This was a very interesting comment, Frizzle. I hadn't thought of that. Of course there had been other awards ceremonies and maybe the boys hugged their moms then, but they weren't the Tonys. I did read that the first thing David did, when he got the chance, was to take his parents aside and thank them for their sacrifices. About that David comment, I think David is the calm one of the boys. He meditates to get ready for performances. He appeared to be the calmest of the 3 in the video, merely shaking his head slightly in wonderment as he walked up the steps, and he was the one stepped in to get the ball..er, the speech.. rolling. I will never forgive the production team that they didn't think the performances were worthy of an OBC recording. They could have, and should, have, made it. G-R-E-E-D!!!

Re: 3 Billy handprints - TrentKowalik.com | The Official Blog

robwills — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 01:48:49 -0000

This is a wonderful memento for you. I am very glad to see this, but an even better memento would have been the OBC cast recording of the show, which SHOULD have been made! You guys and the rest of the cast truly deserved it.

Re: Broadway.com: Ask a Star Interview - TrentKowalik.com | The Official Blog

robwills — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 14:18:08 -0000

Hi, Catherine. Nov. 13 is the first anniversary of opening night of BE. I am hoping something special is planned.

In London on the 1st anniversary all three original Billys returned to the role. Liam was still in the cast. The other two Billys, George McGuire and Joames Lomas, were gone because of size and voice change. But for that one night the three boys split up the role, doing what each was most comfortable with. The audience saw all three original Billys for the price of one ticket.

It sure would be nice to see Trent, David and Kiril all together onstage taking a final bow together, or perhaps holding up all 3 Tonys at the end of the evening. Kiril will sadly be gone on Nov. 13, but like James and George in London, he could be invited back for one last "Dancing Boy" on the anniversary.

You know what I would like? All 3 Billys, Trent, David and Kiril get to do their "Electricity" one after another, then a group bow and group hug before the show continues.

If anybody at Trent's is checking these messages, you should ask for those 3 Electricitys on Nov. 13. The audience would love it. If the problem is that it puts the show past 3 hours and into overtime, I would foot the bill for the stage hands! You have a volunteer.

Re: TrentKowalik.com | The Official Blog

robwills — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:22:10 -0000

You guys have so much fun. It must be very hard work at all the rehearsals and performances, so you deserve this. Glad to see Kiril. David, Tommy and the others with you. Once you are all gone, the show just won't be the same. You are all indelibly etched in Bdwy's theatrical memory - irreplaceable! Bravo, fly high!

Re: Billy BBQ II

robwills — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:32:47 -0000

Looks like a great day was had by all. Good swimming suit this time, Trent. But were there any vegetarians at this bar-b-q? Just curious because I am one myself.

Re: Billy BBQ II

robwills — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:48:27 -0000

Sushi!? I read that Kiril likes sushi, but I'm not sure I would be able to manage that...I can only imagine raw fish tasting like...well,...raw fish.

Re: We ended our day with dinner @ Grandma’s house.... - TrentKowalik.com | The Official Blog

robwills — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 01:53:49 -0000

Where exactly is Meadow Island? It is nice that Alex could join you. I hope that there are no more injuries and that Alex isn't slipped into the cast before he is totally ready. Can you tell me, in your rehearsal process will Alex get a complete technical rehearsal of the show start to finish before he goes on - no audience? Or will he rehearse every section fully and just wing it when it comes to his first performance? Somehow I can't imagine that.

Re: Here we are rehearsing this afternoon. Good chance... - TrentKowalik.com | The Official Blog

robwills — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:30:29 -0000

Where's your Billy shirt, Trent? Of all people, you should be wearing one! Gosh, I saw Trevor on Sunday. What is that high note he comes up with on "lace" in Expressing Yourself? I think he invented that note. Surely nobody else can sing it. I think you will get the record for most performances as Billy. It's not that far away.

Re: emilgh: Trent Kowalik, Tony Award winner and star... - TrentKowalik.com | The Official Blog

robwills — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:16:10 -0000

You look like a future world leader here. You know, of all the British boys who played Billy in London, I don't think any of them have gone on to bigger and better. I think all 3 of the original US Billys are destined for a great future. Trent, I think you're a Broadway Baby a la Fame, and NYC will get you back again. A matching Tony would look really good on your mantel, wouldn't it. I'm thinking Billy Eliot the Teenage Years? You can just slide right into it!

Re: emilgh: Trent Kowalik, Tony Award winner and star... - TrentKowalik.com | The Official Blog

robwills — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:02:46 -0000

I'm working on it right now. When would you like the storyline? I can't believe I spelled "Elliot" incorrectly! Seriously, have you read a book that would make a good musical for you? I have done school shows for kids and written my own songs.