BILLY ELLIOT Plays The Orpheum Theatre, Closes 1/9

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions, in association with Weinstein Live Entertainment, bring the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Billy Elliot the Musical to Hennepin Theatre Trust's Orpheum Theatre.  The production will close on Jan. 9, 2011.

Based on the international smash hit film and featuring music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot the Musical has earned critical acclaim on Broadway including 10 Tony Awards. It is part of the 2010/11 Broadway Across America-Minneapolis Season and will be included in season ticket packages available in April, along with information about other productions for the Broadway season. Single tickets will go on sale at a later date. Further information will be posted on www.HennepinTheatreTrust.org.

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.

In addition to the prestigious Tony Award for Best Musical, Billy Elliot the Musical received the award for Best Book of a Musical (Lee Hall), Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish), Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (Gregory Jbara), Best Direction of a Musical (Stephen Daldry), Best Choreography (Peter Darling), Best Orchestrations (Martin Koch), Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Ian MacNeil), Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Rick Fisher) and Best Sound Design of a Musical (Paul Arditti). The production was the recipient of 35 awards including being named Best Musical by the New York Drama Critics Circle, Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critics Circle.

Ben Brantley of the New York Times says that Billy Elliot "Sends audiences into a mass swoon!" Time Out says it's "The most electric and passionate show in years." The Daily News calls Billy "So exhilarating that you feel like leaping!" The New York Post says Billy Elliot is "The best show you will ever see!" Liz Smith calls the show "Absolutely awesome," the New York Observer raves that Billy is "The best thing to happen to Broadway in a long while," and WOR's Dave Richardson cheers, "All I can say is WOW!

Additional information about Billy Elliot the Musical is available at www.BillyElliotBroadway.com.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets for the four-week engagement of Billy Elliot the Musical will be included in Hennepin Theatre Trust's season ticket packages that will be available in April, along with information about other productions for the Broadway season. Further information will be posted on www.HennepinTheatreTrust.org, or you can join the Trust's email notification list by signing up at the website. *Contains mature language.

Billy Elliot the Musical will run Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010 through Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011 at Hennepin Theatre Trust's Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Avenue, Mpls., 55403. A full performance schedule will be announced at a later date.

HENNEPIN THEATRE TRUST, owner of the historic State, Orpheum and Pantages Theatres, is a non-profit organization devoted to enriching the vibrant cultural atmosphere of the Twin Cities. The Trust's activities include Broadway touring productions, concerts, comedy, speakers and other variety entertainment plus educational initiatives including the SpotLight Musical Theatre Program for high schools, Critical View student reviewer program, Teen Ushers, the Access Program and Kids' Night. For more information, go to HennepinTheatreTrust.org.

 

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