BILLY ELLIOT Opens 3/18 at Ford Center; Rush Seats Available

Billy Elliot the Musical's Chicago premiere is only one week away. Performances begin Thursday, March 18, 2010 at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph St.). In addition, the producers, along with Broadway In Chicago, are excited to announce that $25 rush seats will be available for every performance.

Ten rush seats will be available for only $25 at each performance. Rush seats go on sale at 10 a.m. the day of each performance (Sundays at 11 a.m.) at the Ford Center/Oriental Theatre box office (24 W. Randolph St.). Additional seats, subject to availability at select performances, may be made available. There is a limit of two tickets per patron; the seats are limited view.

Time magazine recently named Billy Elliot the "BEST MUSICAL OF THE DECADE." This incredible honour adds to the show's overwhelming acclaim and recognition that includes ten 2009 Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, as well as Best Musical awards from the NY Drama Critics Circle, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Drama League.

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 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.

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 passion that takes him by surprise, and takes his whole family on an incredibly uplifting adventure.

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, costume design by Nicky Gillibrand, lighting design by Rick Fisher and sound design by Paul Arditti. Musical supervision and orchestrations are by Martin Koch.

Preview performances of Billy Elliot begin March 18 at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph St.), and opening night is Sunday, April 11, 2010. 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.

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