Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Weinstein Live Entertainment announced today that Tony Nominee Emily Skinner will play 'Mrs. Wilkinson' in the Chicago production of the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Billy Elliot the Musical.
The downtown Theatre District will be filled with activity surrounding
Billy Elliot in the coming weeks with rehearsals beginning January 11 in Chicago and the production moving into the Ford Center/Oriental Theatre.
Billy Elliot will begin preview performances March 18, 2010. Opening night is Sunday, April 11, 2010.
Rotating in the title role of 'Billy' are
Tommy Batchelor,
Giuseppe Bausilio,
Cesar Corrales and John Peter (J.P.) Viernes. Starring in
Billy Elliot are Tony Nominee
Emily Skinner (Mrs. Wilkinson),
Armand Schultz (Dad),
Cynthia Darlow (Grandma), Chicagoan
Patrick Mulvey (Tony),
Keean Johnson and
Gabriel Rush (Michael), Chicagoan
Samuel Pergande (Billy's Older Self),
Jim Ortlieb (George), Chicagoan
Susie McMonagle (Mum), Chicagoan
Blake Hammond (Mr. Braithwaite) and
Maria Connelly (Debbie).
Also featured are
Matt Allen,
Jason Babinsky, Chicagoan Elijah Barker,
Madison Barnes,
Cindy Benson,
Sara Brians, Chicagoan Tony Clarno,
Abby Church, Christine DeFillipo, Alexandra Dell'Edera,
Faith Fetscher,
Susan Haefner,
Ryan Kasprzak, Chicagoan Kayla King, Kent Lewis,
Will Mann,
Kate Marilley,
Spencer Milford,
Brittany Nicholas, Chicagoan
Mark Page,
Mitch Poulos,
Emily Richardson,
Annelise Ritacca,
Mason Roberts,
Michaeljon Slinger,
Jaclyn Taylor Ruggiero,
Jamie Torcellini,
Nicholas Torres,
Brionna Trilling and
Kayla Vanderbilt.
Billy Elliot 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.
Featuring music by
Elton John, book and lyrics by
Lee Hall, choreographed by
Peter Darling and directed by
Stephen Daldry,
Billy Elliot opened at Broadway's Imperial Theatre on November 13, 2008 and was the winner of ten 2009 Tony Awards including Best Musical.
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.
Individual tickets range in price from $28 to $100. A select number of premium seats are also available. Tickets are available at all Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St., 151 W. Randolph St. and 18 W. Monroe St.), the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at (800) 775-2000, all Ticketmaster retail locations (including Hot Tix and select Carson Pirie Scott, Coconuts and fye stores) and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com. For groups of 15 or more, call (312) 977-1710.
Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.