News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Billy Elliot 2008

Run Time:
2 hours and 45 minutes, with one internission
Opened: November 13, 2008
Closing: January 08, 2012

Billy Elliot - 2008 Broadway History , Info & More


Winner of 10 Tony Awards for 2009, including Best Musical! Billy Elliot the Musical is the new show that has captured Broadway’s heart, delighted the critics and swept the awards - winning ten 2009 Tony Awards including Best Musical! Called “Extraordinarily uplifting” by Time Out New York and “Intoxicating” by The New York Times, Billy Elliot is a joyous, exciting and feel-good celebration of one boy following his heart and making his dreams come true.



Based on the critically acclaimed feature film, Billy Elliot is brought to life by the movie’s original creative team – director Stephen Daldry, choreographer Peter Darling and writer Lee Hall – along with music legend Elton John, who has written what the New York Post calls “His best score yet!”



Come discover for yourself why Billy Elliot was the most lauded new Broadway show of 2009.


Get Billy Elliot Email Alerts

Be the first to get ticket offers, news, photos & more.

FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Billy Elliot

8 / 10

Billy Elliot is by no means perfect. Like the original London production, it is still too long (with a seemingly endless curtain call). Some numbers are less melodically compelling ('He Could Go and He Could Shine'), and some scenes are awkwardly staged. But the ideas that work here — and there are many — work magnificently, whether it's presenting the striking miners and the police as opposing choruses or the moving second-act pas de deux with Billy and his older self (New York City Ballet vet Stephen Hanna). In such moments, the potential of Billy Elliot, both character and show, seems both boundless and fully realized. In tough economic times that seem eerily similar to 1980s Britain, in fact, it's easy to imagine projecting all of our recession-weary hopes onto the slender shoulders of a precociously gifted pre-teen boy.

Billy Elliot
9 / 10

Three-and-a-half years may seem a long time for an instantaneous London smash like 'Billy Elliot: The Musical' to cross the Atlantic, but the delay looks to have played serendipitously into the producers' hands. With unemployment figures soaring and the economy in the dumps, the zeitgeist could hardly be more attuned to the stirring story of a Northern England miner's son liberated from bleak reality by his passion for ballet. But even without that happy accident of timing, American audiences would have no trouble connecting with the universal sentiment of this bittersweet dual celebration of community and individuality.

BILLY ELLIOT Tickets On Sale Now for Majestic Theatre Engagement, 3/28 - 4/8!
by BWW News Desk - March 28, 2012


The 2009 Tony Award-winning best musical Billy Elliot electrifies San Antonio March 28-April 8 at the Majestic Theatre.

Photo Flashback: BILLY ELLIOT Closes After 3 Years on Broadway
by Kelsey Denette - January 8, 2012


The 2009 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, Billy Elliot, will close its doors today after playing 40 preview and 1,304 regular performances on Broadway.

TV Flashback: BILLY ELLIOT's Opening Night!
by Kelsey Denette - January 8, 2012


Today Broadway bids goodbye to a show that's become a 45th Street fixture over its past three years at the Imperial Theatre: BILLY ELLIOT. Take a look back at BILLY's memorable opening night celebration - 40 preview and 1,304 regular performances ago - with the in depth Broadway Beat special that originally hit the web in 2008. Click below to watch!

Tony Winning BILLY ELLIOT Closes on Broadway Today
by BWW News Desk - January 8, 2012


The 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Billy Elliot the Musical, will play its final performance on Broadway today at the Imperial Theatre (246 West 45th Street). The show that Time Magazine called 'the best musical of the decade,' Billy Elliot will have played 40 preview and 1,304 regular performances. The production recouped its $18 million investment in only 14 months over 492 performances and on Broadway, the show has been seen by 1,659,867 theatergoers to date. Featuring music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreographed by Peter Darling and directed by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot began previews Wednesday, October 1 and opened to critical acclaim on November 13, 2008.

BILLY ELLIOT Tickets On Sale Now for Majestic Theatre Engagement, 3/28 - 4/8!
by Erin Privratsky - January 3, 2012


The 2009 Tony Award-winning best musical Billy Elliot electrifies San Antonio March 28-April 8 at the Majestic Theatre.

Inside Broadway & Billy Elliot Offer Exclusive Creating the Magic Workshop
by Gabrielle Sierra - December 8, 2011


Since 1982, Inside Broadway (Executive Director, Michael Presser) has impacted the lives of nearly one million New York City public school students with its one-of-a-kind programs that aim to enrich, educate and foster new generations of theatergoers and lifelong participation in the arts.

Mayor Bloomberg's Office to Present Inside Broadway
by Gabrielle Sierra - December 7, 2011


Tomorrow, Mayor Bloomberg's Office will present Inside Broadway with a Special Proclamation acknowledging their 30 years of service to New York City.

BWW Reviews: BILLY ELLIOT Leaps Into Philadelphia
by Steve D'Ambrosio - November 22, 2011


The 2009 Tony Award winning Best Musical makes its Philadelphia debut.

TV EXCLUSIVE: Happy 3rd Broadway Birthday BILLY ELLIOT- The Celebratory Curtain Call!
by Jessica Lewis - November 17, 2011


On November 15, the 2009 Tony Award winning Best Musical BILLY ELLIOT, celebrated their third Broadway birthday. Original Billys and Tony winners David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish, joined the current cast in celebration and below, BroadwayWorld brings you an exclusive look at the curtain call!

Photo Flash: BILLY ELLIOT Celebrates 3 Years on Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - November 16, 2011


Last night, November 15, Tony winners David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish, as well as the cast of the 2009 Tony Award winning Best Musical BILLY ELLIOT, celebrated their three year anniversary of the Broadway production. Check out phots from the celebration below!

St. Louis Fabulous Fox Theatre Presents BILLY ELLIOT, 11/1-13
by BWW News Desk - November 13, 2011


Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions bring the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Billy Elliot the Musical to St. Louis' Fabulous Fox Theatre from November 1-13. 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.

STAGE TUBE: BILLY ELLIOT Performs on PRICE IS RIGHT
by Lauren Wolman - November 5, 2011


A recent episode of THE PRICE IS RIGHT had a special Showcase featuring a performance by Daniel Russell and Griffin Birney from the cast of BILLY ELLIOT. Everyone in our studio audience went home with a copy of the Billy Elliot cast recording.

St. Louis Fabulous Fox Theatre Presents BILLY ELLIOT, 11/1-13
by BWW News Desk - November 1, 2011


Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions bring the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Billy Elliot the Musical to St. Louis' Fabulous Fox Theatre from November 1-13. 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.

Julian Elia Joins Cast of Broadway's BILLY ELLIOT
by Nicole Rosky - October 25, 2011


Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Weinstein Live Entertainment announced today that Julian Elia will join the cast of 10-time Tony Award winning Billy Elliot the Musical in the role of ‘Billy'. Elia, who started his journey in the Toronto production of Billy Elliot, will be the sixteenth ‘Billy' to perform on Broadway. Current ‘Billy,' Giuseppe Bausilio, will play his final performance Sunday, November 6, 2011 at 7:30pm.

BILLY ELLIOT to Close on Broadway January 8, 2012
by Robert Diamond - October 3, 2011


Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Weinstein Live Entertainment announced today that the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Billy Elliot the Musical, will play its final performance on Broadway on Sunday, January 8, 2012 at the Imperial Theatre (246 West 45th Street). The show that Time Magazine called 'the best musical of the decade,' Billy Elliot will have played 40 preview and 1,304 regular performances. The production recouped its $18 million investment in only 14 months over 492 performances and on Broadway, the show has been seen by 1,659,867 theatergoers to date. Featuring music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreographed by Peter Darling and directed by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot began previews Wednesday, October 1 and opened to critical acclaim on November 13, 2008.

Photo Coverage: BILLY ELLIOT Auditions New Ballet Girls
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - September 19, 2011


On Saturday, September 17, the Billy Elliot held an open call for the newest crop of ballet girls in front of the Broadhurst Theatre in Times Square, drawing out the most hopeful of young dancers in all shapes and sizes with expressive character and lots of personality. Ballet girls Maria May and Brianna Fragomeni, currently starring in the production, were on hand to cheer on the auditioners.

BILLY ELLIOT Holds Open Call for Ballet Girls Today
by BWW News Desk - September 17, 2011


On Saturday, September 17th Billy Elliot the Musical will hold its second annual open call for Ballet Girls at the Broadhurst Theatre (235 W 44th St). Sign up begins at 10am. Billy Elliot is on the lookout for dancers with strong tap skills from 8-12 years old to shine as Billy Elliot's Ballet Girls. The production is seeking a variety of shapes and sizes (tiny, chubby, lanky, quirky, etc) with expressive character and lots of personality - not your traditional ballerina.

Myles Erlick & Jack Broderick Join Cast of Broadway's BILLY ELLIOT
by Nicole Rosky - September 13, 2011


Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Weinstein Live Entertainment announced today that Myles Erlick and Jack Broderick will join the cast of the 10-time Tony Award winning Billy Elliot the Musical in the roles of ‘Billy' and ‘Michael,' respectively. Erlick, a native of Burlington, Ontario, started his journey as one of the original ‘Billys' in the Toronto production of Billy Elliot. He will be the fifteenth ‘Billy' to perform on Broadway. Broderick has previously played the role of ‘Michael' in both the Chicago and Toronto productions of Billy Elliot. Current ‘Michael,' Neil McCaffrey will play his final performance Sunday, September 25 at 7:30pm. And current ‘Billy,' Giuseppe Bausilio will play his final performance on Sunday, October 9 at 7:30 pm.

Photo Coverage: BILLY ELLIOT Sings for 'Carols For A Cure'
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - September 7, 2011


The 2011 edition of the annual Carols for a Cure album is now in the works. Produced by Rock-it Science Records and currently in it's thirteenth year, purchase of the album benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. This highly anticipated annual holiday release features casts from the current Broadway line-up of shows performing new and traditional holiday music. Broadway's Carols for a Cure offers a 'snapshot' of each season, as the casts and orchestras from each show on Broadway perform their own holiday track. Yesterday, the cast of Billy Elliot stopped by the recording studio to contribute to the album. BroadwayWorld was there and brings you photo coverage below!

Daniel Jenkins, Katherine McGrath & William Youmans Join BILLY ELLIOT Tonight
by BWW - September 6, 2011


The producers of BILLY ELLIOT on Broadway announced today that Daniel Jenkins, Katherine McGrath and William Youmans will join the cast of the 10-time Tony Award winning Billy Elliot the Musical in the roles of ‘Dad,' ‘Grandma,' and ‘George,' respectively. Current ‘Dad,' Tony winner Gregory Jbara, ‘Grandma,' Tony nominee Carole Shelley and ‘George,' Joel Hatch will play their final performance Sunday, September 4, 2011 at 7:30pm. Jenkins', McGrath, and Youmans' first performance is scheduled for Tuesday, September 6 at 7:00pm.

BILLY ELLIOT Announces New Performance Schedule
by BWW News Desk - September 5, 2011


Billy Elliot the Musical today announced a new performance schedule. Beginning September 5, the show will now play Tuesday at 7pm, Thursday - Sunday at 7:30pm, Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday at 2pm; dark Mondays.

BILLY ELLIOT Plans Changes, Creative Cuts
by Kelsey Denette - September 2, 2011


The story of a boy who stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, Billy Elliot is generally regarded as family fare; still, school groups hesitate to choose the show for their students, according to producer Eric Fellner.

BILLY ELLIOT Holds Open Call for Ballet Girls, 9/17
by Nicole Rosky - August 22, 2011


On Saturday, September 17th Billy Elliot the Musical will hold its second annual open call for Ballet Girls at the Broadhurst Theatre (235 W 44th St). Sign up begins at 10am. Billy Elliot is on the lookout for dancers with strong tap skills from 8-12 years old to shine as Billy Elliot's Ballet Girls. The production is seeking a variety of shapes and sizes (tiny, chubby, lanky, quirky, etc) with expressive character and lots of personality - not your traditional ballerina.

Billy Elliot History

Other Productions of Billy Elliot

2005   West End Original London Production
West End
2008   Australian Production
2008   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
2010   US Tour 1st National Tour
US Tour
2010   US Tour 2nd National Tour
US Tour

Billy Elliot - 2008 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
2009 BroadwayWorld Awards Best Book of a Musical Lee Hall
2009 BroadwayWorld Awards Best Choreography Peter Darling
2009 BroadwayWorld Awards Best Direction of a Musical Stephen Daldry
2009 BroadwayWorld Awards Best Featured Actor in a Musical Gregory Jbara
2009 BroadwayWorld Awards Best Featured Actress in a Musical Haydn Gwynne
2009 BroadwayWorld Awards Best Leading Actor in a Musical Kiril Kulish
2009 BroadwayWorld Awards Best Leading Actor in a Musical Trent Kowalik
2009 BroadwayWorld Awards Best Leading Actor in a Musical David Alvarez
2009 BroadwayWorld Awards Best Musical Billy Elliot
2009 BroadwayWorld Awards Best Orchestrations Martin Koch
2009 BroadwayWorld Awards Best Original Score Elton John
2009 BroadwayWorld Awards Best Sound Design Paul Arditti
2009 Drama League Awards Distinguished Production of a Musical 0
2009 New York Drama Critics Circle Awards Best Musical Lee Hall
2009 New York Drama Critics Circle Awards Best Musical Elton John
2009 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Choreography Peter Darling
2009 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Costume Design Nicky Gillibrand
2009 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Director of a Musical Stephen Daldry
2009 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Director of a Musical Stephen Daldry
2009 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Gregory Jbara
2009 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Haydn Gwynne
2009 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Carole Shelley
2009 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Lighting Design Rick Fisher
2009 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding New Broadway Musical 0
2009 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding New Score 0
2009 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Set Design Ian MacNeil
2009 Outer Critics Circle Awards Special Achievement Award Trent Kowalik
2009 Outer Critics Circle Awards Special Achievement Award Kiril Kulish
2009 Theatre World Awards Performance Haydn Gwynne
2009 Tony Awards Best Book of a Musical Lee Hall
2009 Tony Awards Best Choreography Peter Darling
2009 Tony Awards Best Costume Design of a Musical Nicky Gillibrand
2009 Tony Awards Best Direction of a Musical Stephen Daldry
2009 Tony Awards Best Lighting Design of a Musical Rick Fisher
2009 Tony Awards Best Musical Weinstein Live Entertainment
2009 Tony Awards Best Musical Old Vic Productions
2009 Tony Awards Best Musical Working Title Films
2009 Tony Awards Best Musical Universal Pictures Stage Productions
2009 Tony Awards Best Orchestrations Martin Koch
2009 Tony Awards Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre Elton John
2009 Tony Awards Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre Lee Hall
2009 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical Gregory Jbara
2009 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical David Bologna
2009 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical Kiril Kulish
2009 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical Trent Kowalik
2009 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical David Alvarez
2009 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical Haydn Gwynne
2009 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical Carole Shelley
2009 Tony Awards Best Scenic Design of a Musical Ian MacNeil
2009 Tony Awards Best Sound Design of a Musical Paul Arditti
2008 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Book of a Musical Lee Hall
2008 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Choreography Peter Darling
2008 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Director of a Musical Stephen Daldry
2008 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical Rick Fisher
2008 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Music Elton John
2008 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Orchestrations Martin Koch
2008 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Sound Design Paul Arditti

Videos