Kids Go Free To BILLY ELLIOT Thru 9/16

Billy Elliot the Musical and Broadway In Chicago have joined with other special partners to create an exciting series of events to ring in the Back to School season. Now through mid September, Billy Elliot will offer the whole family fun, free ways to start the fall off right - from healthy eating and exercise to fall fashion and culture. Plus, a kid's ticket to Billy Elliot is free with the purchase of an adult ticket to select performances through September 16. For details on these offers, events and more information on how you can enjoy the experience with your family, visit BroadwayInChicago.com/BackToSchool .

These offers and events are made possible with support from Whole Foods Markets, Bloomingdale's, Westfield Shopping Centers, Chicago Loop Alliance, Chicago Park District, The Joffrey Ballet Chicago, Lakeshore Athletic Clubs, TheMash and Common Threads.

KIDS GO FREE - NOW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 16 AT THE FORD CENTER/ORIENTAL THEATRE
A kid's ticket is free with the purchase of a full price adult ticket for any Tuesday through Thursday evening performance of Billy Elliot. Use the code KIDSFREE when ordering online at BroadwayInChicago.com, by calling 800-775-2000 or in person at any Broadway In Chicago box office or Ticketmaster retail location. Kids' tickets are valid for ages 14 and under, and are subject to availability through September 16 only. Parents should visit BroadwayInChicago.com for more information and a guide for your family about Billy Elliot.

COOKING WITH KIDS - AUGUST 13 & 20, WHOLE FOODS MARKETS
Cast members will demonstrate recipes from The Common Threads Cookbook that are nutritious and can be prepared by kids. Live demonstrations are free and open to the public.
Friday, August 13 at 12 PM - Whole Foods Market, 1550 N. Kingsbury Street, Chicago
Friday, August 20 at 12 PM - Whole Foods Market, 750 N. Martingale Road, Schaumburg

BALLET AND BOXING - AUGUST 21, PRITZKER PARK
Join Billy Elliot cast members and instructors from The Joffrey Ballet and Lakeshore Athletic Clubs for some fun ballet and boxing activities and prizes. This free, family event is hosted in partnership with Chicago Loop Alliance and Chicago Park District as part of a day of Art, Nature and Fun at Pritzker Park.
Saturday, August 21 at 10 AM - Pritzker Park on the northwest corner of State and Van Buren, Chicago

FALL FASHION - SEPTEMBER 11 & 18, BLOOMINGDALE'S
Check out the latest in fall fashion as young cast members model the hottest back to school trends at Bloomingdale's. The fashion show is open to the public with no purchase necessary.
Saturday, September 11 at 11:30 AM - Bloomingdale's, 900 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago
Saturday, September 18 at 10 AM - Bloomingdale's, Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center, Skokie

Based on the international smash-hit film, Billy Elliot is brought to life by the Tony-winning 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!" Full of life, laughter, astonishing dancing and unforgettable music, this uplifting experience will stay with you forever.

Winner of ten 2009 Tony Awards® including BEST MUSICAL, Billy Elliot delighted critics when it opened in Chicago in April 2010. Time Magazine's "BEST MUSICAL OF THE DECADE" is a joyous, exciting and feel-good celebration of one boy following his heart and making his dreams come true. Called "THE MOST INSPIRING SHOW I'VE SEEN IN YEARS" (Ben Brantley, The New York Times) this "LONG ANTICIPATED Elton John MUSICAL IS IMPOSSIBLE TO RESIST" (Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune).

Rotating in the title role of ‘Billy' are Tommy Batchelor, Giuseppe Bausilio, Cesar Corrales and J.P. Viernes. Starring in Billy Elliot are Emily Skinner (Mrs. Wilkinson), Armand Schultz (Dad), Cynthia Darlow (Grandma), Chicagoan Patrick Mulvey (Tony), Keean Johnson and Dillon Stevens, Chicagoan Samuel Pergande (Billy's Older Self), Jim Ortlieb (George), Chicagoan Susie McMonagle (Mum), Chicagoan Blake Hammond (Mr. Braithwaite) and Maria Connelly (Debbie).

Also featured are Matt Allen, Jason Babinsky, Chicagoan Elijah Barker, Madison Barnes, Ryan Bauer-Walsh, Cindy Benson, Sara Brians, Chicagoan Tony Clarno, Abby Church, Nicholas Daum, Christine DeFillipo, Alexandra Dell'Edera, Faith Fetscher, Susan Haefner, Ryan Kasprzak, Chicagoan Kayla King, Kent Lewis, Will Mann, Kate Marilley, Spencer Milford, Brittany Nicholas, Chicagoan Mark Page, Mitch Poulos, Emily Richardson, Annelise Ritacca, Mason Roberts, Jaclyn Taylor Ruggiero, Matthew Serafini, Jamie Torcellini, Nicholas Torres, Matt Trent, Brionna Trilling and Kayla Vanderbilt.

Featuring music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreographed by Peter Darling and directed by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot opened at Broadway's Imperial Theatre on November 13, 2008.

Billy Elliot the Musical is produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Jon Finn and Sally Greene. Angela Morrison and David Furnish are Executive Producers. The production features scenic design by Ian MacNeil, the associate director is Julian Webber, costume design by Nicky Gillibrand, lighting design by Rick Fisher and sound design by Paul Arditti. Musical supervision and orchestrations are by Martin Koch.

Billy Elliot is currently playing at the Ford Center/Oriental Theatre through January 15 only. Individual tickets range in price from $30 to $100. A select number of premium seats are also available. Tickets are available at all Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St., 151 W. Randolph St. and 18 W. Monroe St.), the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at (800) 775-2000, all Ticketmaster retail locations (including Hot Tix and select Carson Pirie Scott, Coconuts and fye stores), and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com. For groups of 15 or more, call (312) 977-1710.