BWW Interviews: BILLY ELLIOT's Armand Schultz

Billy Elliot is a smash-hit musical already on stage in London, England and Broadway. The winner of ten 2009 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the show is finally coming to Toronto! The Canadian Premiere of Billy Elliot is already in previews at The Canon Theatre, and officially opens on March 1st, 2011.

Billy Elliot is the story on one boy's journey to make his dreams to dance come true. Set in a small town in England, the story follows Billy as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, discovering a surprising talent that inspires his family and his entire community. The show features music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry.

Over the next few weeks BWW is thrilled to be bringing its readers exclusive photos, interviews and behind the scenes looks at Billy Elliot Toronto. Today we are featuring Armand Schultz, who comes to Toronto from the Chicago company and plays Billy's Dad:

Welcome to Toronto! How are previews going so far?

They are going quite well, we've had some terrific audiences! We have been close to sold out for the past few weeks which is really great. We are extremely full and it's selling all the way through the preview period.

What has it been like transitioning from Chicago to Toronto?

I have a feeling (and I'm not knocking on Chicago audiences at all here) but I think that Canada has a much more British centered culture. You aren't fixated on it but I think that you will get a lot of the humour and the story might play even better to a Toronto audience. I think maybe Canadians get more of the nuances and references to the Thatcher era because you are so closely linked to Britain. And the history of the play and the miner's strike in the 80s is more easily referenced to the older generation of theatre-goers here.

It certainly doesn't mean American audiences doesn't connect as well but I have noticed that there are certain laughs in the show that resonate differently here in Toronto. So I think the show is going to have an exceedingly fantastic reception here.

Had you seen the film or the movie before you were cast in this production?

I have never seen the New York production but I did see the original in London five years ago. I got lucky as it was sold out when I was there but some tickets were made available at the box office at the very last minute. I already knew and loved the film but that was my first experience with the show. It was terrific over there, and obviously it resonates very well because of the British history.

Does having seen both the film and the stage production impact the way you approach the character?

The film is nearly ten years old now and I remember seeing it when it was an independent film in NYC because I knew Stephen Daldry and I thought it was tremendous. But it's a different entity. It has been an additional five-six years since the show opened in the UK as well. So obviously we are approaching it with a fresh set of eyes. I remember the first time I saw the musical I thought it was one of the best musicals I had ever seen because of how well the story was integrated with the musical numbers. The creators of Billy Elliot haven't just come up with some songs to throw in between the story to call it a "musical." They actually took the idea to tell the story but tell it as a musical - and therefore they have terrific songs that are built for this story.

When the opportunity came up to take on the role in Chicago and I knew that the entire creative team was going to be involved - it was just too good a chance to pass up.

You have worked with a lot of different Billys, does that present unique challenges?

Since Chicago I believe we have had 2 Billys and a Michael leave the production so I have had the experience of having new Billys come in before. We already knew some of the Billys, and I think there is already another one in training for our company in Toronto. They have to start them early!
The way they find and train these boys is an all encompassing process that gets them ready for our show before we even rehearse with them. They are really terrific young professionals but they are still kids. The creative department does a fantastic job of finding talented kids who will do a good job and also have great personalities. So we have a great time with them both on and off stage. What I find the best is that they are excellent at what they do, but when the lights go off they are just like regular kids.

It's also great fun for the adults in the show because with Billys and Michaels alternating, the rotation keeps the show very fresh for the rest of us. They all have different nuances and it keeps us on our toes. I also love watching them grow as actors, by the end of a run they have really learned a developed a richer and deeper performance.

Is this your first time performing in Toronto? And is there anything on your "must-see" list while you are here?

Yep! I love the music scene so I'm trying to get out at night after the show to see some of the jazz clubs or places that have live music. I haven't been to the museums here in a long time either. I grew up in Rochester so we used to come up to Ontario once a year and see the sights and go to Ontario Place. I'm also excited that there is some theatre to see on a Monday night, I know there are some Canadian Stage productions we can check out. Of course I also what to see the restaurants and art galleries. I really can't wait for springtime when the lake is accessible to check out the waterfront. And, a Blue Jays game as well!

What would you say to encourage a younger audience to come and check out the show?

My personal take on this show is that it is a great story. It's a musical, but a lot of musicals are just songs strung together and not much more. This is a really great story with wonderful music and incredibly dancing. For a younger audience - without sounding cliché - it really is about how a family and a community can support someone's dream and help them get where they want to be. I think that can parallel to many things other than just dance - academics, athletics, music, art etc. Having people realize that their dreams are important and there are people to help achieve them is a beautiful thing, and the central message of our show. Plus, it has something for everybody!

When and Where?
Billy Elliot

The Canon Theatre

244 Victoria St, Toronto, ON

Performance Schedule
On Stage Now! Opening Night is March 1st, 2011

Tuesday - Saturday 7:30PM
Beginning March 15, Tue performances are at 7PM
Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday 1:30PM

Tickets can be purchased in person at the box office, by phone at 416-872-1212 or online at http://www.mirvish.com/shows/billyelliot

Lottery Details

Lottery available for Tuesday evenings, Wednesday matinees + evenings, and Thursday evenings only.

20 box seats (side seating) are available per weekday performance as outlined above. Lottery seats are $25 each cash Only. Patrons can enter the lottery two hours prior to the performance, with a limit of one lottery entry per person. The draw will begin 1½ hours before showtime, at which point no further entries will be accepted.

Each winner will be able to purchase up to two tickets for that day's next performance only. All winning patrons and their guests must be present to purchase tickets and will be wrist-banded by Box Office staff (Photo ID may be required).

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