TIME Magazine Names BILLY ELLIOT The Best Musical Of The Decade, Rehearsals Begin In Chicago 1/11

Time Magazine has named Billy Elliot the Musical the "BEST MUSICAL OF THE DECADE," according to Time Senior Editor and Theater Critic Richard Zoglin. This incredible honor adds to the show's overwhelming acclaim and recognition that includes ten 2009 Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, and Best Musical awards from the NY Drama Critics Circle, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Drama League.

The downtown Theatre District will be filled with activity surrounding Billy Elliot in the coming weeks with rehearsals beginning January 11 in Chicago and the production moving into the Ford Center/Oriental Theatre. Billy Elliot will begin preview performances March 18, 2010. Opening night is Sunday, April 11, 2010.

Rotating in the title role of ‘Billy' are Tommy Batchelor, Giuseppe Bausilio, Cesar Corrales and John Peter (J.P.) Viernes. Starring in Billy Elliot are Armand Schultz (Dad), Cynthia Darlow (Grandma), Chicagoan Patrick Mulvey (Tony), Keean Johnson and Gabriel Rush (Michael), 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, Cindy Benson, Sara Brians, Chicagoan Tony Clarno, Abby Church, 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, Michaeljon Slinger, Jaclyn Taylor Ruggiero, Jamie Torcellini, Nicholas Torres, Brionna Trilling and Kayla Vanderbilt. Additional casting will be announced at a later date.

Billy Elliot is the funny, heartwarming tale of a young boy with a dream, and a celebration of his triumph against the odds. Set against the historic British miners' strike of the 1980s, the story follows Billy's journey as a boy in a small mining town who, after stumbling across a ballet class while on his way to a boxing lesson, realizes that his future lay not in the boxing ring but on stage as a dancer.

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 and was the winner of ten 2009 Tony Awards including Best Musical.

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.

Individual tickets range in price from $28 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.