BILLY ELLIOT OPENS ON BROADWAY | London Theatre Direct

BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL BEGINS BROADWAY PREVIEWS

Haydn Gwynne, who created the role on stage of Billy Elliot’s dance teacher Mrs Wilkinson, will tonight (1 October 2008) make her Broadway debut, leading the cast at the first performance of Billy Elliot the Musical at the Imperial Theatre. Directed by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot the Musical’s Broadway opening night is 13 November 2008.

Playing the title role of Billy Elliot will be Montreal born 13 year old David Alvarez, 13 year old Trent Kowalik from New York and 14 year old Kiril Kulish from San Diego who join Broadway principal cast members Haydn Gwynne (Mrs Wilkinson), Gregory Jbara (Dad), Santino Fontana (Tony), Carole Shelley (Grandma), Joel Hatch (George), Thommie Retter (Mr Braithwaite), Leah Hocking (Dead Mum) and Stephen Hanna (Older Billy) for the Broadway premiere.

Director Stephen Daldry said: “Billy Elliot's journey has been an extraordinary one - I still remember our first day on set almost ten years ago when we were making the film. We have found three extraordinary boys - David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish - to follow in the footsteps of Jamie Bell and all the other young boys who have since played Billy in London and Australia. Our Broadway Company is led by Haydn Gwynne whom I am delighted has joined us in New York to play Billy’s Dance Teacher Mrs Wilkinson. I am thrilled to be back on Broadway working on a production that has been such an integral part of my life, and I hope we can continue to thrill theatre audiences world-wide with Billy Elliot’s unique story.”

Producer Eric Fellner said: “Working Title is very excited to be making its Broadway debut with Billy Elliot The Musical, based on a film we made nearly ten years ago. This year we have celebrated the musical’s third birthday in the West End and the continuing success of our Australian production - the Broadway premiere is the next chapter in Billy’s astonishing journey. Stephen Daldry (Director), Peter Darling (Choreographer) and Elton John (Composer) have realised brilliantly Lee Hall’s original screenplay, bringing the story of Billy Elliot to life on stage and I wish them, and our Broadway Company, a great first performance and a hugely successful New York opening.”

300,000 NEW TICKETS GO ON SALE FOR LONDON PRODUCTION

To celebrate the show’s Broadway premiere, 300,000 new tickets will be released for sale on 1 October for the London production of Billy Elliot the Musical, taking bookings to 24 October 2009.

The current principal cast for the London Production is Jackie Clune (Mrs Wilkinson), Phil Whitchurch (Dad), Chris Lennon (Tony), Ann Emery (Grandma), Trevor Fox (George), Alex Delamere (Mr Braithwaite), Stephanie Putson (Dead Mum) and Barnaby Meredith (Older Billy) who are joined by Billy Elliot’s Tom Holland (age 12 from Kingston-upon-Thames), Fox Jackson-Keen (13 years old from Hornsey, London), Tanner Pflueger (age 13 from Norfolk, Nebraska, USA), and Layton Williams (14 years old from Manchester).

BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL

Set in the North East, Billy Elliot the Musical is a funny, heart-warming and feel-good celebration of one young boy's dreams. This new staging of Billy Elliot the Musical is an adaptation of one of the most adored British films of the last decade which broke box office records across the world and was nominated for 3 Oscars and 13 BAFTA Awards.

The score for Billy Elliot the Musical has been composed by music legend Elton John, choreography is by Peter Darling, designs are by Ian MacNeil with sound by Paul Arditti and lighting by Rick Fisher. Billy Elliot the Musical is presented in London by Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Tiger Aspect. Billy Elliot the Musical is based on the Universal Pictures/Studio Canal film.

Having recently celebrated three years in the West End and over 1,400 performances, Billy Elliot the Musical has now played to over 2.5 million people world-wide since its world premiere at the Victoria Palace Theatre in May 2005. The Australian production premiered at Sydney’s The Capitol Theatre last year and will end its year long run in November ahead of a transfer to Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre previewing from 13 December 2008, opening on 31 December 2009.

To book tickets for the London production, please click: here