Billy Elliot 2008 - Articles Page 8

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.

Billy Elliot - 2008 - Broadway Cast

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Billy Elliot - 2008 - Broadway Articles Page 8

RIALTO CHATTER: The NY Times on BILLY ELLIOT's 'Billys' Tony Voting Requirements
by Eddie Varley - May 13, 2009


The New York Times sheds a light on the fact that Tony Award voters have to see only one of the three boys rotating in the title role of 'Billy Elliot: The Musical' before voting on their joint nomination for leading actor in a musical.

BILLY ELLIOT'S 'Billys' Alvarez, Kowalik, Kulish Perform On The Early Show 5/5
by Gabrielle Sierra - May 4, 2009


Billy Elliot the Musical stars David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish will perform live on the Tuesday, May 5th telecast of CBS News' 'The Early Show.' The appearance will include all three boys performing 'Electricity.' 'The Early Show' airs from 7am - 9am on WCBS channel 2 in the tri-state area.

Photo Coverage: Serendipity 3 Presents the 'BILLY ELLIOT Too Tutu Sundae'
by Peter James Zielinski - May 7, 2009


The talented kids from Billy Elliot, including the 'ballet girls', Serendipity unveiled a brand new sweet concoction to honor the hit musical. The pink tutu wearing cast experienced The Billy Elliot Too Tutu Sundae for the first time on Thursday, April 30th.

STAGE TUBE: LIVE with Regis and Kelly Welcomes 'BILLY ELLIOT'
by Eddie Varley - May 2, 2009


During the week of April 27- May 1, 2009, top-rated morning program 'Live with Regis and Kelly' gave the show's nationwide TV audience a vicarious thrill when America's favorite co-hosts jumped into the roles of some of the best Broadway characters during 'On Broadway Week.'

BILLY ELLIOT Stars Appear at 'Summer On The Hudson- Irish Dance Festival' Opening Event 5/3
by Gabrielle Sierra - April 21, 2009


The schedule for the Sunday May 3 New York City Irish Dance Festival, 12:30 PM to 8 PM, opening event of the free, 9th annual Summer On the Hudson Festival, has been announced.

Fidelity FutureStage Announces First Playwrighting Contest
by Gabrielle Sierra - March 25, 2009


Fidelity FutureStage®, the producers of Billy Elliot the Musical and Elton John today announced the first ever Fidelity FutureStage® Playwriting Contest - a unique opportunity for area high school students to become Broadway's youngest playwrights.

Photo Flash: Tommy Batchelor Joins BILLY ELLIOT
by Eddie Varley - March 24, 2009


Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Weinstein Live Entertainment announced today that Tommy Batchelor has joined the rotation in the role of 'Billy Elliot.' Tommy joins Broadway's original Billys David Alvarez,Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulishon stage at the Imperial Theatre.

'Tommy is Billy', Batchelor Joins BILLY ELLIOT Rotation
by Eddie Varley - March 24, 2009


Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Weinstein Live Entertainment announced today that Tommy Batchelor has joined the rotation in the role of ?Billy Elliot.' Tommy joins Broadway's original Billys David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish on stage at the Imperial Theatre.

Photo Coverage: BILLY ELLIOT Visits Fidelity FutureStage
by Peter James Zielinski - March 19, 2009


To celebrate the official kickoff to the Fidelity FutureStage Playwriting Contest, members of the Billy Elliot the Musical cast surprised students from three schools that were among the earliest contest registrants. David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish, the three young stars playing the title role in the new Broadway hit, made the students day with the surprise appearance.

The BILLY ELLIOT Workshop For Kids & Teens To Take Place 5/2
by Reynard Loki - March 10, 2009


A Class Act NY, New York City?s award-winning acting studio for kids and teens, is proud to announce that Billy Elliot stars Thommie Retter and Casey Whyland are coming to the studio to teach a one-day master class at Ripley-Grier Studios in New York City on Saturday, May 2nd. They will be joined by Nora Brennan of Nora Brennan Casting, the casting director responsible for assembling the child actors that put the show on the map.

BILLY ELLIOT Boys to Perform 'Electrcity' at BC/EFA ABC and SOAPnet Salute Mar. 9
by BWW News Desk - March 9, 2009


David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish, the three young stars playing the title role in the new Broadway hit, Billy Elliot the Musical will make a special guest star appearance at the 5th Annual 'ABC and SOAPnet Salute Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS,' performing the song 'Electricity.'

Cameron Mathison and the 'BILLY' Boys Visit GMA - Video Online
by Eddie Varley - February 27, 2009


'All My Children' actor Cameron Mathison and the stars of BILLY ELLIOT, David Alvarez, Kiril Kulish and Trent Kowalik visited Good Morning America on ABC Friday, February 27th. Mathison enlisted the help of the Broadway 'Billys' to get over his fear of...ballet!

BILLY ELLIOT Boys to Perform 'Electrcity' at BC/EFA ABC and SOAPnet Salute Mar. 9
by Robert Diamond - February 2, 2009


David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish, the three young stars playing the title role in the new Broadway hit, Billy Elliot the Musical will make a special guest star appearance at the 5th Annual 'ABC and SOAPnet Salute Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS,' performing the song 'Electricity.'

BILLY ELLIOT Plays Special Actor's Fund Performance 1/25
by BWW News Desk - January 25, 2009


A hit in London and one of the most highly anticipated shows of the season, Billy Elliot officially opened at Broadway's Imperial Theatre on Thursday, November 13th. The show will play a special Actor's Fund performance on Sunday, January 25th at 8pm. For tickets call 212-221-7300 ext. 133, email at 'tickets@actorsfund.com.

Actors Fund Hosts A BILLY ELLIOT Special Performance 1/25
by Gabrielle Sierra - January 20, 2009


The Actors Fund will host a Special Performance of Billy Elliot which is this Sunday, January 25th at 8 pm at The Imperial Theatre. People can purchase tickets through the box office and telecharge at 212-239-6200. They can purchase premium tickets through The Actors Fund at 212-221-7300 ext. 133. A hit in London and one of the most highly anticipated shows of the season, Billy Elliot officially opened at Broadway's Imperial Theatre last night, Thursday, November 13th. The show will play a special Actor's Fund performance on Sunday, January 25th at 8pm. For tickets call 212-221-7300 ext. 133, email at 'tickets@actorsfund.com. With music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall and directed by Stephen Daldry, this joyful musical lit up Broadway as Elton John joined the cast for the Opening Night bows. BroadwayWorld's cameras caught the exciting moments as the curtain came down on a triumphant evening. Directed by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot has played over 1,300 performances and recently celebrated its 3rd anniversary in London. Billy Elliot the Musical opened at London's Victoria Palace in May 2005 to unanimous critical acclaim. The production went on to sweep London's nine awards for Best Musical, including the Olivier, Evening Standard and Critics' Circle Theatre Awards. In London, Billy Elliot has now been seen by over 1.5 million people and has grossed over ?65 million. The musical opened to equal acclaim at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney, Australia in December 2007. The two current productions have played to over 2.3 million people.

Photo Coverage: BILLY ELLIOT at Bloomingdales
by Eddie Varley - January 16, 2009


Those three talented 'Billy Elliots' David Alvarez, Kiril Kulish and Trent Kowalik stopped by Bloomingdales on Lexington Avenue at 59th Street on Thursday January 15th to meet the fans and sign the hit musical's cast CD. BroadwayWorld tagged along with the terrific trio as they mixed and mingled! A hit in London and one of the most highly anticipated shows of the season, Billy Elliot officially opened at Broadway's Imperial Theatre on Thursday, November 13th, 2008. With music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall and directed by Stephen Daldry, this joyful musical lights up Broadway eight times a week!

Daldry Talks 'BILLY', Broadway and THE READER on Bloomberg TV
by Eddie Varley - January 8, 2009


BLOOMBERG TELEVISION program 'Night Talk,' host Mike Schneider welcomed Stephen Daldry, the director of the Golden Globe nominated film 'The Reader' and the mega hit musical Billy Elliot to his program yesterday, January 7th, the segment is now available online.

GYPSY OF THE MONTH: Kevin Bernard of 'Billy Elliot'
by Adrienne Onofri - January 2, 2009


This fall brought the 4th B'way show and 2nd child for Kevin, a journeyman performer who also writes music.

BILLY ELLIOT Plays Special Actor's Fund Performance 1/25
by Eddie Varley - December 11, 2008


A hit in London and one of the most highly anticipated shows of the season, Billy Elliot officially opened at Broadway's Imperial Theatre last night, Thursday, November 13th. The show will play a special Actor's Fund performance on Sunday, January 25th at 8pm. For tickets call 212-221-7300 ext. 133, email at 'tickets@actorsfund.com.

TIME Magazine Picks Its TOP 10 PLAYS AND MUSICALS OF 2008
by Robert Diamond - December 8, 2008


From a groundbreaking American President to a historic economic collapse - with everything from the Olympics to Puppycam in between - TIME takes a comprehensive look at the year at was with the Top 10 of Everything of 2008.

Billy Elliot FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of Billy Elliot have there been?
Billy Elliot has had 5 productions including West End which opened in 2005, which opened in 2008, Broadway which opened in 2008, US Tour which opened in 2010 and US Tour which opened in 2010.
What Tony Awards has Billy Elliot been nominated for?
Billy Elliot has been nominated for several Tony Awards. These nominations include Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical for Lee Hall, Best Choreography for Peter Darling, Best Costume Design of a Musical for Nicky Gillibrand, Best Direction of a Musical for Stephen Daldry, Best Lighting Design of a Musical for Rick Fisher, Best Orchestrations for Martin Koch, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Elton John, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Lee Hall, Best Scenic Design of a Musical for Ian MacNeil, and Best Sound Design of a Musical for Paul Arditti.
What Tony Awards has Billy Elliot won?
Billy Elliot has won the following Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical for Lee Hall, Best Choreography for Peter Darling, Best Costume Design of a Musical for Nicky Gillibrand, Best Direction of a Musical for Stephen Daldry, Best Lighting Design of a Musical for Rick Fisher, Best Orchestrations for Martin Koch, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Elton John, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Lee Hall, Best Scenic Design of a Musical for Ian MacNeil, and Best Sound Design of a Musical for Paul Arditti.
What awards has Billy Elliot been nominated for?
Billy Elliot has been nominated for several awards, including Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards and Outstanding New Broadway Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards. The show has also received nominations for Distinguished Production of a Musical at the Drama League Awards, Outstanding Book of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards, and Outstanding Choreography at both the Outer Critics Circle Awards and the Drama Desk Awards for Peter Darling. Other nominations include Outstanding Costume Design for Nicky Gillibrand, Outstanding Director of a Musical for Stephen Daldry, Outstanding Lighting Design for Rick Fisher, Outstanding Set Design for Ian MacNeil, and Outstanding Orchestrations for Martin Koch. Additionally, Billy Elliot received Special Achievement Awards for Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish at the Outer Critics Circle Awards, and Performance recognition for Haydn Gwynne at the Theatre World Awards. The show's music, composed by Elton John, was nominated for Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards, and the sound design by Paul Arditti received a nomination as well.
What awards has Billy Elliot won?
Billy Elliot has won several awards, including Best Musical from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards. It also received the Distinguished Production of a Musical award from the Drama League Awards. Peter Darling won the Outstanding Choreography award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards, and Nicky Gillibrand won the Outstanding Costume Design award for the same production. Stephen Daldry received the Outstanding Director of a Musical award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards, and Rick Fisher won the Outstanding Lighting Design award. The show also won the Outstanding New Broadway Musical and Outstanding New Score awards from the Outer Critics Circle Awards. Ian MacNeil won the Outstanding Set Design award, and Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish received Special Achievement Awards from the Outer Critics Circle Awards. Haydn Gwynne won the Performance award from the Theatre World Awards. Lee Hall won the Outstanding Book of a Musical award, and Peter Darling won the Outstanding Choreography award from the Drama Desk Awards. Stephen Daldry won the Outstanding Director of a Musical award, and Rick Fisher won the Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical award. Elton John won the Outstanding Music award, Martin Koch won the Outstanding Orchestrations award, and Paul Arditti won the Outstanding Sound Design award, all from the Drama Desk Awards.

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