Broadway In Chicago, with Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Weinstein Live Entertainment, announced today that Tommy Batchelor, Giuseppe Bausilio and Cesar Corrales will star as ‘Billy' in the Chicago production of the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Billy Elliot the Musical. Featuring music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry, the production will begin an extended run on March 18, 2010 at Chicago's Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph St.) before embarking on a multi-city tour.
Tommy Batchelor, 14, is currently playing ‘Billy' on Broadway in rotation with David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish. Tommy is a native of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and made his Broadway debut in the role of ‘Billy.' He started his training at age four at Dance Factory in Minnesota and has starred in Miami City Ballet's production of The Nutcracker as well has having competed nationally in the prestigious Youth America Grand Prix. Giuseppe Bausilio, 12, was born in the Swiss capital of Bern and began his ballet training at age 4. He has performed with the State Theatre of Bern in Coppelia, as well as in the operas Mazzepa and Falstaff, among other roles. Giuseppe has won numerous awards for competitions in the US and Europe. Cesar Corrales, 13, was born in Mexico before moving to Montreal with his family. At age 4 he performed with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in Madama Butterfly. Among his other credits, Cesar placed first at the Coupe Quebec gymnastics competition in 2008, the same year he joined Canada's National Ballet School. More than 1,500 boys auditioned for the role of ‘Billy."
Billy Elliot the Musical opened on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre 240 West 45th Street) on November 13, 2008 to critical acclaim. Billy Elliot was the winner of ten 2009 Tony Awards including: Best Musical; Best Book of a Musical (Lee Hall); Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, Kiril Kulish); Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (Gregory Jbara); Best Direction of a Musical (Stephen Daldry); Best Choreography (Peter Darling); Best Orchestrations (Martin Koch); Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Ian MacNeil); Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Rick Fisher); Best Sound Design of a Musical (Paul Arditti).
The production was the recipient of a total of 35 awards including being named Best Musical by the New York Drama Critics Circle, Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critics Circle.
Billy Elliot the Musical is the funny, heartwarming tale of a young boy with a dream, and a celebration of his triumph against the odds. Set against the historic British miners' strike of the 1980s, the story follows Billy's journey as a boy in a small mining town who, after stumbling across a ballet class while on his way to a boxing lesson, realizes that his future lay not in the boxing ring but on stage as a dancer.
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, costume design by Nicky Gillibrand, lighting design by Rick Fisher and sound design by Paul Arditti. Musical supervision and orchestrations are by Martin Koch.
Tickets to Billy Elliot the Musical at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre are currently on sale to groups of 15 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710. The 2010 Broadway In Chicago Season Series includes Billy Elliot. Season ticket packages for the 2010 Season Series will go on sale Sunday, September 13, 2009 at 10 a.m. and will be available for purchase by calling the Season Ticket Hotline at (312) 977-1717 or at www.BroadwayInChicago.com. Single tickets will go on sale to the general public in November 2009, and range in price from $28-$100. A limited number of premium seats will also be available. For more information, please visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.
For information on Billy Elliot the Musical, please visit www.BillyElliotTheMusical.com or www.BroadwayInChicago.com
