BILLY ELLIOT Recoups Investment in 14 Months

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Weinstein Live Entertainment announced today that 10-time Tony Award-winning Billy Elliot the Musical has recouped its $18 million investment in 14 months (492 performances). The production began previews on October 1, 2008 and opened to critical acclaim on Thursday, November 13, 2008 at the Imperial Theatre, where it has repeatedly broken the house record for highest weekly gross.

Billy Elliot the Musical has multiple productions across the globe and in development. The U.S. national tour will launch with an extended run at Chicago's Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre beginning previews on March 18, 2010 and opening April 11, 2010 with a second national tour slated to begin in November 2010. Now in its fifth year, the originAl West End production, which won the Olivier Award for Best Musical, continues to thrive at London's Victoria Palace Theatre. The show played in Australia: Sydney from November 13, 2007 through November 23, 2008 and Melbourne December 30, 2008 through June 14, 2009 and received both the Helpmann Award and the Sydney Theatre Award for Best Musical. New international productions are scheduled for Korea (August 2010), Japan (Summer 2011) and productions are in the works for Germany and Holland.

"It is very satisfying to have recouped on Billy Elliot so soon in the run. Despite its setting being in the North of England, Broadway audiences accept it on a universal level. It seems to be a story that anyone can identify with and be inspired by. This result, the ten Tony awards and the warm critical acclaim are a tribute to the hard work and dedication of the entire creative team," said Eric Fellner, lead producer.

Featuring music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreographed by Peter Darling and directed by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot the Musical currently stars Michael Dameski, Alex Ko, Trent Kowalik, Liam Redhead and Dayton Tavares as Billy, Kate Hennig as Mrs. Wilkinson, Gregory Jbara as Dad, Carole Shelley as Grandma, Will Chase as Tony and Trevor Braun and Keean Johnson as Michael.

BILLY ELLIOT is the joyous celebration of one boy's journey to make his dreams come true. Set in a small town, the story follows Billy as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, discovering a passion that takes him by surprise, and takes his whole family on an incredibly uplifting adventure.

Tickets for Billy Elliot the Musical range from $41.50 to $136.50, and can be purchased at the Imperial Theatre Box Office (240 West 45th Street) or by calling Telecharge.com at 212-239-6200 or visiting www.Telecharge.com. The playing schedule for Billy Elliot is as follows: Tuesdays at 7pm, Thursday s - Saturdays at 8pm, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sunday s at 2pm and Sundays at 7:30pm

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.

For tickets and information visit www.billyelliotbroadway.com

 

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.