TV: Tony Documentary Film Talkback Series Presents FINDING BILLY

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The first ever Tony Award Documentary Film Series launched this week, May 9, as part of the 2011 Tony Awards Showcase at the Times Square Visitors Center and Mini-Museum. The Tony Award Documentary Films Series features three films that examine what it's like to be behind-the-scenes on a Tony-eligible Broadway musical. The first film to be screened was Finding Billy, taking viewers on the journey in the search for the young male leads in Billy Elliot the Musical. The screening was immediately followed by a panel discussion comprised of moderator Nora Brennan (Children's Casting Director for Billy Elliot), and Broadway cast members Tade Biesinger (Billy), Jacob Clemente (Billy), Stephen Hanna (Older Billy), and Joel Hatch (George). BroadwayWorld was on hand for the special event and brings you the panel disussion below.

The series continues on Monday, May 16 with a screening of Every Little Step, following the real-life dancers as they struggle through auditions for the Broadway revival of A Chorus Line. The film also takes a look at the history of the show and the creative minds behind the original and revival Broadway shows. This panel will be moderated by John Breglio, Every Little Step executive producer, and producer of the 2006 revival of A Chorus Line. Panalists include Baayork Lee, the original "Connie" from the 1976 Tony Award-winning production of A Chorus Line and choreographer for the 2006 revival; Donna McKechnie, who won the Tony Award for her performance as "Cassie" in the original 1976 production of A Chorus Line; and Jay Binder; Casting director for the 2006 revival of A Chorus Line.

The final film in the series to be screened will be Show Business: The Road to Broadway, which goes behind the curtain to capture a Broadway season in all of its controversy, passion, and risk, on Monday, May 23. Details for this panel discussion will be announced shortly.

The screenings will begin at 6:30 p.m. The Tony Awards Showcase, which is on display at the Times Square Visitors Center and Mini-Museum, features historic Tony memorabilia including costumes, posters and video footage, and will be open to the public until the end of June.

The Tony Awards Film Series is free to the public. Tickets will be available on a first come, first serve basis, as seating is limited. Limit two (2) tickets per person. To RSVP, please send your ticket request and film preference to TonyFilmSeries@broadway.org.

The Tony Awards will be broadcast in a live three-hour ceremony from The Beacon Theatre, on the CBS television network on Sunday, June 12, 2011. For more information on the Tony Awards, please visit www.TonyAwards.com.