Alex Ko Shares Memoir 'FROM IOWA TO BROADWAY' with Rosie's Theater Kids

Since 2007, Alex Ko, who performed in the title role of Billy in Billy Elliot the Musical on Broadway, has been involved in various charities. His most recent work has been serving as the spokesperson for Broadway Kids Care, founded by Lou and Kelly Gonda. Broadway Kids Care is an organization to bring together children from current and past Broadway shows while allowing them the opportunity to perform community service. After leaving the title role in Billy Elliot, Alex began to write his inspirational story and has just released his book, Alex Ko: From Iowa to Broadway, My Billy Elliot Story through HarperCollins.

Alex continues his philanthropic efforts by sharing his story with all of the participants in Rosie's Theater Kids at the Maravel Arts Center today, May 1st. Alex is also donating 115 books, one for each of the children, to support the remarkable program founded by Rosie O'Donnell.

Alex said "I'm so excited to share my story with Rosie's Kids and give every child a book. I would never dream of asking any of the participants to pay to read my story. I just want to inspire them to believe in themselves and their dreams and never give up." Eighty percent of students who participate in Rosie's Theater Kids are from low-income families and the program and serves teachers, students, and their family members from 17 schools in Harlem, Midtown West, Chelsea, Lower East Side, East Village, and Chinatown.

In his memoir, Ko specifically addresses how dance helped him cope with the loss of his father to cancer. He said he wanted to share his story to "never give up your dream" and encourage those drawn to the arts. Today, public schools rely largely on private funding for arts education and they continue to struggle due to a constant shortage of public funding. Ko wants to help keep these programs alive so children can benefit from the arts like he did.

The Billy Elliot creative team was very moved and inspired by the young author's words. Sir Elton John has endorsed the book and said "Alex's true story will inspire all kids who dream of Broadway, and beyond!" Billy Elliot Director, Stephen Daldry, was also moved by Alex's message and created a video to highlight Alex's story available on YouTube.