Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions bring the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Billy Elliot the Musical to the Triangle's DPAC, Durham Performing Arts Center from November 2-14, 2010. 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.
Billy Elliot the Musical is the joyous celebration of one boy's journey to make his dreams come true. Set in a small town, the story follows Billy as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, discovering a surprising passion that inspires his family and his whole community.
"On behalf of my fellow producers and the entire production team, we are delighted to be launching the second national tour of
Billy Elliot the Musical at the Durham Performing Arts Center. We look forward to presenting the show in this magnificent home for world-class live entertainment" said
Eric Fellner, a producer of the show.
In addition to the Tony Award for Best Musical,
Billy Elliot the Musical received the award for Best Direction of a Musical (
Stephen Daldry); Best Book of a Musical (
Lee Hall); Best Choreography (
Peter Darling); Best Orchestrations (
Martin Koch); Best Scenic Design of a Musical (
Ian MacNeil); Best Lighting Design of a Musical (
Rick Fisher); Best Sound Design of a Musical (
Paul Arditti); Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (
David Alvarez,
Trent Kowalik,
Kiril Kulish); Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (
Gregory Jbara).
The production has been awarded 73 national and international awards including ten Tony Awards, 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!"
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!
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, costume design by
Nicky Gillibrand, lighting design by
Rick Fisher and sound design by
Paul Arditti. Musical supervision and orchestrations are by
Martin Koch.
Additional information about
Billy Elliot the Musical is available at
www.billyelliotthemusical.com.
Billy Elliot the Musical will be the season opener of DPAC's "Third Spectacular Season." The SunTrust Broadway Series goes on sale beginning March 19th with two easy ways to purchase at DPACnc.com or 919-680-2787. Season ticket holders receive special savings, the best seats, complimentary parking, flexibility, and payment plan options. Visit DPACnc.com for more information on how to be the first to purchase the National Tour Debut of
Billy Elliot.
# # #
Universal Pictures STAGE PRODUCTIONS is the theatrical production unit of the world-famous motion picture studio. Universal's stage credits include the acclaimed worldwide productions of Wicked and
Billy Elliot the Musical and licensed productions including Cry-Baby and Xanadu.
Universal Pictures' upcoming films include It's Complicated, a comedy starring
Meryl Streep,
Steve Martin and
Alec Baldwin; The Wolfman, a reimagining of the Universal classic film starring Benicio Del Toro,
Anthony Hopkins and
Emily Blunt; and Despicable Me, a 3D CGI-animated feature starring
Steve Carell.
Working Title FILMS has been co-chaired by
Tim Bevan and
Eric Fellner since 1992. Between them, the pair has produced over 90 feature films which have amassed more than $4.5 billion at the box office worldwide. To date, their films have won 6 Academy Awards, 26 BAFTA Awards and won prestigious prizes at the Cannes and Berlin film festivals. The company's commercial and critical hits include Frost Nixon; Burn After Reading; State of Play; Atonement; Hot Fuzz; Pride & Prejudice; M
R. Bean's Holiday; About a Boy; Notting Hill; Elizabeth; Fargo; Dead Man Walking; High Fidelity; Johnny English;
Billy Elliot; Four Weddings and a Funeral; Bridget Jones's Diary; Bridget Jones:
The Edge of Reason; O Brother Where Art Thou?; Love Actually; Shaun Of The Dead; Nanny McPhee; and United 93. Forthcoming releases include The Green Zone, directed by
Paul Greengrass and starring
Matt Damon,
Greg Kinnear and
Amy Ryan; Paul directed by Greg Mottola and written by and starring
Simon Pegg and
Nick Frost; Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang directed by Sus
Anna White and written by and starring
Emma Thompson, alongside
Maggie Gyllenhaal,
Maggie Smith, and
Ralph Fiennes.
Old Vic Productions is a producer of
Billy Elliot the Musical worldwide, including productions in London, on Broadway and recently in Sydney and Melbourne. Created by
Sally Greene, and run by Sally and executive producer
Joseph Smith, OVP has co-produced or partnered in more than 70 productions in the West End and on Broadway, winning numerous awards. Productions include Taking Sides; Cyrano de Bergerac; The Reduced Shakespeare Company; The Vagina Monologues (London); The Weir; Car Man; Medea; Life (x) 3; Benefactors;
Elaine Stritch: At Liberty; Macbeth; Sexual Perversity in Chicago and Hamlet. OVP is a major partner in
Kevin Spacey's first five seasons of
The Old Vic Theatre Company and continues to have a creative and commercial association with the company most recently with the hit revival of Speed the Plow starring
Kevin Spacey and
Jeff Goldblum and the groundbreaking production of The Norman Conquests presented in the round.
Sally Greene is chief executive of London's Old Vic Theatre, the Criterion Theatre and Greene Light Films. She also owns two London restaurants: the award-winning Cheyne Walk Brasserie and the Waterloo Brasserie. She is proprietor of the world famous jazz club Ronnie Scott's.
####
About DPAC
The new Durham Performing Arts Center is a 2,700 capacity multi-use theatre that features the hottest Broadway and family shows, high-profile concerts and incredible special events. Currently listed in the top 100 in Pollstar magazine's Top Worldwide Theater Venues, DPAC has become a beacon of energy in the Triangle and the region's new home for world-class live entertainment. Operated under the direction of Nederlander and PFM, DPAC is also home of the SunTrust Broadway Series with over 10,000 season ticket holders and show stopping Broadway engagements of Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Spring Awakening, and much more. For more information please go to www.DPACnc.com.
Join Team BroadwayWorld
Are you an avid theatergoer? We're looking for people like you to share your thoughts and insights with our readers. Team BroadwayWorld members get access to shows to review, conduct interviews with artists, and the opportunity to meet and network with fellow theatre lovers and arts workers.
Interested? Learn more here.
