David Furnish News

Tonight, 12 May 2015, the multi award-winning smash hit Billy Elliot the Musical celebrates ten years in the West End.  The musical received its world premiere at the Victoria Palace Theatre in March 2005 with the gala opening night taking place exactly 10 years ago today.   To coincide with the 10th birthday celebrations, Billy Elliot the Musical today announces an extension to the West End run, releasing over 600,000 tickets for sale, taking booking through to 17 December 2016.  In addition, the first UK and Ireland tour of Billy Elliot the Musical is also announced today, opening at the Theatre Royal Plymouth in February 2016.  Further tour dates and booking details will be announced shortly.

Starkey Hearing Foundation hosted a special For Your Consideration EMMY reception and screening of OPERATION CHANGE Thursday, April 23rd at Zanuck Theatre at FOX Studios with special guest appearances by Sir Elton John, David Furnish

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: CLINTON THE MUSICAL starts its campaign off-Broadway tonight and more!

Sir Elton John took to Instgram in response to comments made by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana in the Italian magazine Panorama on their views against in-vitro fertilization.

Thomas Hazelby, 10 years old from Doncaster, today (11 March 2015) joins the cast of Billy Elliot the Musical to play the title role. He becomes the fortieth boy to play the role in London, where in May the internationally award-winning musical celebrates its tenth anniversary. Also joining the cast today to play Billy's best friend Michael is 11 years old Nathan Jones from Prudhoe, Northumberland. Take a first look at the two (and more) in photos from the show below!

Thomas Hazelby, 10 years old from Doncaster, today (11 March 2015) joins the cast of Billy Elliot the Musical to play the title role. He becomes the fortieth boy to play the role in London, where in May the internationally award-winning musical celebrates its tenth anniversary. Also joining the cast today to play Billy's best friend Michael is 11 years old Nathan Jones from Prudhoe, Northumberland. Check out the video below!

For the eleventh year in a row, Chef Wayne Elias and his business partner Chris Diamond of Crumble Catering dished it up for a cavalcade of stars at the 23nd Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party held at West Hollywood Park. This marked the third year Chef Wayne and his Crumble Catering team collaborated with Chef Gordon Ramsay to create the perfect dining experience for Hollywood's biggest night. Scroll down for photos from the event!

NEW YORK, Jan. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) today announced a new grant-making partnership supported in part by The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF). The two foundations have awarded a combined $315,000 in grants to six organizations addressing the AIDS epidemic in the Southern United States.

Gillian Elisa has been confirmed to play Grandma in the internationally award-winning West End hit Billy Elliot the Musical, having previously alternated in the role. Gillian takes over from Ann Emery who originated the character in 2005 and who recently retired from the role at the age of 84, having worked with all 39 London Billy Elliots.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: New players join ALADDIN and CABARET on Broadway, Liz Callaway brings the holidays to 54 Below and more!

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: Roundabout welcomes INTO THE WOODS tonight, Billy Magnussen and his band rock for charity, and WE MUST BREATHE responds to the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Gardner in Chicago!

The Associated Press reports that music icon Elton John and his partner of 21 years, film and stage producer David Furnish, will officially marry this weekend in a private ceremony in London.

Next year's eagerly awaited 'Backstage at the Geffen' will honor Mellody Hobson and George Lucas with the Distinction in Service Award and Sir Elton John and David Furnish with the Distinction in Theater Award at the 13th annual fundraiser, slated for Sunday, March 22, 2015. The irreverent evening of laughter, music and stories featuring personal 'backstage' memories and songs by a cavalcade of stars precedes the award ceremony in the Gil Cates Theater at the Geffen Playhouse and will be produced by Vice Chair of the Board, Gil Cates, Jr. David Geffen is Honorary Chair. The event also launches the 20th anniversary of the founding of the not-for-profit theater.

The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) today announced more than $3.2 million in new grants, bringing the Foundation's total grant disbursements for the calendar year 2014 to an impressive $6.857 million. These end-of-year grants represent EJAF's continued commitment to helping all people infected with HIV and combatting stigma in communities most threatened by the virus.

Today, 19 November 2014, eleven year-old Brodie Donougher from Blackpool, gives his first performance in the title role of the internationally award winning Billy Elliot the Musical

Today, 19 November 2014, eleven year-old Brodie Donougher from Blackpool, gives his first performance in the title role of the internationally award winning Billy Elliot the Musical. Brodie joins a cast lead by Ruthie Henshall who plays Mrs Wilkinson, Billy's dance teacher and Deka Walmsley who plays Billy's dad, and becomes the thirty-ninth boy to perform the iconic role at the Victoria Palace Theatre and the seventy-sixth boy to perform the role worldwide, including Jamie Bell who played Billy Elliot in the award-winning film. Also joining the cast today will be 10 year old Connie Fisher from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, who will play Mrs Wilkinson's daughter Debbie. In addition 19 girls from London and surrounding counties aged 9 - 14 join the cast as Ballet Girls. Billy Elliot the Musical is currently booking at the Victoria Palace Theatre to 19 December 2015.

Today, BroadwayWorld is thrilled to present a world premiere exclusive clip featuring producer David Furnish discussing the upcoming Fathom Events presentation of BILLY ELLIOT: THE MUSICAL in movie theaters nationwide.

Fathom Events brings top theater from London's iconic West End to the big screen with 'Billy Elliot the Musical Live' which will be screened in select U.S. cinemas for three showings only: November 12 at 7 p.m., November 15 at 12:55 p.m. and November 18 at 7 p.m., all local times. This unique performance was previously captured live when it was broadcast to eight countries from the show's West End home at the Victoria Palace Theatre, hitting number one at the UK box office. It has been dazzling audiences in London since it opened in 2005, and has gone on to captivate audiences across five continents, winning more than 80 theater awards globally including 10 Tony Awards®.

This weekend saw a record breaking twenty-five former and current Billy Elliots come together on stage in a specially choreographed mash-up finale of Billy Elliot the Musical. This unique performance was broadcast live to eight countries from the show's West End home at the Victoria Palace Theatre. All three original Billy Elliots - James Lomas, George Maguire and Liam Mower - took part in a spectacular finale as the broadcast, the widest ever cinema release of a live event, hit number one at the UK box office.