'Tommy is Billy', Batchelor Joins BILLY ELLIOT Rotation

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Weinstein Live Entertainment announced today that Tommy Batchelor has joined the rotation in the role of ‘Billy Elliot.' Tommy joins Broadway's original Billys David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish on stage at the Imperial Theatre.

Tommy Batchelor, 13, is from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He began his dance training at age 4 at the Dance Factory in Minnesota, and by age 12, Tommy was dancing in the final rounds of the international ballet competition YAGP (Youth America Grand Prix). Before joining the rotation as ‘Billy Elliot," Tommy was an understudy for the role.

Going forward, the role of ‘Billy Elliot' will be played by four actors.

Billy Elliot the Musical opened to critical acclaim on November 14th, 2008 at Broadway's Imperial Theatre. 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.

For tickets and information visit www.billyelliotbroadway.com

Photo by Carol Rosegg