Hennig And Ko To Join BILLY ELLIOT, Kulish, Gwynne And Bologna To Bid Broadway Farewell In October

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Weinstein Live Entertainment announced today that Alex Ko and Kate Hennig will join the cast of the 10-time Tony Award-winning Billy Elliot the Musical in the roles of ‘Billy' and ‘Mrs. Wilkinson,' respectively.

Ko, a regional and national dance champion, will make his Broadway debut in Billy Elliot. He will be the 5th boy to play the role of ‘Billy' on Broadway. He will begin performances in the rotation the week of October 5th. Hennig, an accomplished Canadian stage actress who is also making her Broadway debut, will begin performances on Tuesday, October 6th.

Alex Ko (Billy). Alex is making his Broadway debut as ‘Billy.' He was the youngest student admitted to the University of Iowa Dance Department at age 12 and has been guided by ballet masters Eloy Barragán & George de la Peña. He is the winner of national and regional dance titles under Michael Kohli, National Dance Academy, & gymnastics champion coached by Dmitri Trouch & Brad Virkler. www.alex-ko.com

Kate Hennig (Mrs. Wilkinson). World Premieres: Agnete in The Danish Play (Dora Award Nom., international tour); Leni Riefenstahl in The Blue Light; Eurycleia in The Penelopiad (Royal Shakespeare Company/National Arts Centre). Canadian awards: Sally in Cabaret (Betty Mitchell); Maureen in Beauty Queen of Leenane (Betty Mitchell); Dolce in Ratbag (Dora). Other faves: Martha in White Christmas (Toronto/St. Paul); Rose in Gypsy; Amanda in Private Lives; Candida in Candida; Hamlet in Hamlet; Donny in The Cryptogram; Charlotte in The Real Thing. Film: The Claim; Losing Chase; 32 Short Films About Glenn Gould (Genie nom.). MA in Voice Studies from CSSD, London. Faculty member, National Theatre School of Canada. 

Kiril Kulish, one of the original three Billys who won a Tony award for his performance will play his final performance as Billy on Saturday, October 3rd at 8pm. Haydn Gwynne, who originated the role of Mrs. Wilkinson in the UK production and went on to earn a Tony nomination for her performance on Broadway, will play her final performance on Sunday, October 4th. Additionally, Tony-nominee David Bologna will play his final performance on Sunday, September 27th. Keean Johnson, previously an understudy in the role of Michael, will join the rotation in the role with Trevor Braun.

The 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Billy Elliot the Musical currently stars David Alvarez, Tommy Batchelor, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish as Billy, Haydn Gwynne as Mrs. Wilkinson, Gregory Jbara as Dad, Carole Shelley as Grandma, Will Chase as Tony and David Bologna and Trevor Braun as Michael.

Billy Elliot the Musical 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 the Musical opened at Broadway's Imperial Theatre (240 W 45th St) Thursday, November 13th and was the winner of ten 2009 Tony Awards including Best Musical.

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, Wednesdays - Saturdays at 8pm, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2pm and Sundays at 3pm.

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.