Bernie Taupin: Beyond Words

http://www.dallasobserver.com/events/bernie-taupin-beyond-words-2379854/

Every week Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday from Fri., September 2 until Sat., September 10

Wisby-Smith Fine Art
Price: Free

Bernie Taupin, "Bamboo"

The Man Behind the Rocketman

By Jennifer Medina

It's nearly impossible to talk about Bernie Taupin without acknowledging his work with Elton John. As John himself has said, "Without Bernie Taupin, there would be no Elton John," but chances are that even without Elton John, Bernie Taupin would still have managed to find a way to make it. Since he's the man best known as the lyricist behind all of Elton John's greatest hits, it's difficult to see him for more than his wordsmith wizardry, but this week Taupin is coming to town as a solo act of the non-musical variety. For Taupin's artistic Dallas premiere, Wisby-Smith Fine Art is proud to present Beyond Words, a special exhibition of Taupin's contemporary paintings and graphics available for acquisition. Beyond Words is on display through September 10 at Wisby-Smith Fine Art (500 Crescent Court, Suite 146) and if you're feeling so inclined, there's an opportunity to meet with the artist on the final two days of the exhibition. Gallery hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with special appearances by the artist Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. General admission is free, RSVP is requested. Call 214-397-0808 or visit wisby-smith.com.

BILLY ELLIOT Plans Changes, Creative Cuts

http://broadwayworld.com/article/BILLY-ELLIOT-Plans-Changes-Creative-Cuts-20110902

Billy Elliot the Musical, winner of ten 2009 Tony Awards including Best Musical, features music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry.
Though the show has recouped its investment and has been running profitably since mid-2010, The New York Times today reports that changes are coming to the show to give it a broader appeal.
The story of a boy who stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, Billy Elliot is generally regarded as family fare; still, school groups hesitate to choose the show for their students, according to producer Eric Fellner.
The creative changes planned to remedy this, Fellner tells the Times, include cutting back profanity, "[making] scenes easier to comprehend and perhaps make the show even easier to sell to groups."
Tickets for Billy Elliot the Musical range from $41.50 to $151.50, and can be purchased at the Imperial Theatre Box Office (246 West 45th Street) or by calling Telecharge.com at 212-239-6200 or visiting www.Telecharge.com. The playing schedule through Labor Day is as follows: Wednesday - Sunday at 7:30, and Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday at 2pm. After Labor Day: Tuesday at 7pm, Thursday - Sunday at 7:30pm, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2pm.
Billy Elliot the Musical is produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Jon Finn and Sally Greene. Angela Morrison and David Furnish are Executive Producers. The production features scenic design by Ian MacNeil, the associate director is Julian Webber, costume design by Nicky Gillibrand, lighting design by Rick Fisher and sound design by Paul Arditti. Musical supervision and orchestrations are by Martin Koch.

Read more: http://broadwayworld.com/article/BILLY-ELLIOT-Plans-Changes-Creative-Cuts-20110902#ixzz1WqcOgEdk