Brandon Ranalli, Gunar Daniels to Share Lead in Media Theatre's BILLY ELLIOT: THE MUSICAL; Cast Announced!

The Media Theatre has the Philadelphia region's professional premiere of the 10-time Tony winning Broadway show BILLY ELLIOT: THE MUSICAL. Based on the film about the boy who, during a miner's strike in the 1980's, wants to become a ballet dancer rather than the boxer his father has set his sights on, the musical features a score by Elton John.

BILLY ELLIOT: THE MUSICAL became an instant hit on both London's West End and Broadway due to its incredible choreography which is mostly performed by the young actor portraying Billy. A show based on the template of old-fashioned 'book' musicals while leaping into a new genre of entertainment it encapsulates the unique qualities which each of us have within us, thereby focusing on individuality and self-expression. As The New York Times said, 'Billy Elliot is not a dance musical. It's about why we need dance.'

With a sub-plot regarding a miner's strike in a small town and the life values which go along with it, sometimes which deeply contrast with the goals of life one has when art is a main ingredient to one's make-up, BILLY ELLIOT: THE MUSICAL reaches beyond dance as it reminds us all that sometimes life is not just about what is in front of us but what it is we are able to achieve.

The production at The Media Theatre will be directed by Geoffrey Goldberg. It plays November 18, 2015 to January 3, 2016 during the holiday season.

The role of Billy Elliot will be shared by Media's Brandon Ranalli and West Chester's Gunar Daniels. Both boys were chosen after an extensive East Coast search in which the production company had two days of auditions in New York City.

Mrs. Wilkinson, the ballet teacher, will be played by Anne Connors. Billy's Dad is Zach Wobensmith, with the role of his brother Tony being brought to the stage by Garrison Carpenter.

Billy's friend Michael is double cast with Nathan Esser and JD Triolo, with the saucy sassy role of Grandma being played by Delaware County's Susan Wefel. Mr. Braithwaite is Steven Ciapanna, with Kelly Briggs as George.

Elisa Matthews has the plum role of Billy's Dead Mum, while the role of his friend Debbie is double cast with two Media Theatre students: Allie Buchanan and Anna Grace Rosenthal. Big Davey is Rusty Flounders.

Rachel Beiswenger, Kaitlin Davis, JP Dunphy, Jake Glassman, Topher Layton, Patrick Ludt, Kimberly Maxson, Mark Schenfish, Carl Nathaniel Smith, and Kristi Smith make up the Ensemble.

The Ballet Girls are Larissa Culbertson, Jolie Jaffe, Anais Lee, Mirabelle Lee, Brooke McCarthy, Kennedy Ndiaye, and Kristianna Ranalli. Aiden Fox is the small boy. Josh Atkinson is Posh Boy.

For tickets, call 610-891-0100 or visit mediatheatre.org.

Pictured: The two 13 year old boys playing the role of Billy Elliot at The Media Theatre -- Gunar Daniels of West Chester and Brandon Ranalli of Media.

To post a comment, you must register and login.