Kiril Kulish News

If I were a betting man I'd wager Billy Elliot to be the last show standing should the economy remain steadfast in its current quest to entirely obliterate Broadway. (Any truth to the rumor that the next thing moving into the St. James is a Starbucks?) Throngs who were enchanted by the musical's source film and even more who have been undertowed by the waves of publicity surrounding the three adolescents who alternate performing the title role (presumably until puberty brings out the hook) will no doubt enter the Imperial Theatre for many months or even years to come, as eager to see the kid dance as audiences at Miss Saigon were to see Royal Academy of Dramatic Art graduate Jonathan Pryce hump a Cadillac. And Billy Elliot never disappoints in that respect. My Billy of the evening was the very game Trent Kowalik, but even if you catch a performance starring David Alvarez or Kiril Kulish (or understudy Tommy Batchelor) you can take your seat assured you'll be witnessing the work of a specially trained specimen carefully schooled in the arts of ballet, tap, street dance, jazz and gymnastics at the exclusive Billy Elliot House, which I'm told is only a short drive from Grease Academy.

The curtain rose for the fifth consecutive year as the spotlight shined center stage on stars from ABC's 'All My Children,' 'One Life to Live' and 'General Hospital' as they sang and danced on Broadway for one night only in support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The show, hosted by Cameron Mathison, was held on Monday, March 9 at Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street).

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.'

'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!

Broadway lovers and teddy bear collectors came together on Sunday, February 15, at the BROADWAY BEARS XII auction, which raised a grand total of $152,116! The event was hosted by Bryan Batt with Lorna Kelly reprising her role as auctioneer. Forty specially made BROADWAY BEARS ? each dressed in original, handmade costumes representing the theater?s most legendary characters - were auctioned to the highest bidder in support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Last year?s BROADWAY BEARS raised $130,878 and the grand total for all 12 Broadway Bears auctions is $1,644,077.18 with over 500 bears auctioned.

Broadway's cuddliest friends kicked off a new year with the 12th annual BROADWAY BEARS auction on Sunday, February 15, 2009 at the B.B. King Blues Club & Grill (237 West 42 St.), in support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. BroadwayWorld's cameras joined the fun and the caught bidding of the bears!

Broadway's cuddliest friends kicked off a new year with the 12th annual BROADWAY BEARS auction on Sunday, February 15, 2009 at the B.B. King Blues Club & Grill (237 West 42 St.), in support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

The Tony Awards Administration Committee met today for the third time this season to decide the eligibility of nine Broadway productions for the 2009 American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards?, presented by The Broadway League and The American Theatre Wing.

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.'

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.

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.

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!

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.

News from Broadway and theater in the Baltimore/Washington area

Tune in to Thirteen (WNET/Ch. 13) on Monday, December 1st at 8pm for the world premiere of 'Finding Billy,' a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the nationwide search for the three actors who play the lead role in Billy Elliot the Musical on Broadway. During the broadcast, stars David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, Kiril Kulish and Carole Shelley will be present in the Thirteen studio to talk about the show.

Greg Graham was the Gypsy Robe winner for 'BILLY ELLIOT,' and it was presented to him during an opening night ceremony on November 13th. The colorful Gypsy Robe, embellished with mementos from Broadway musicals, is presented to the cast member who has the most Broadway chorus credits.

Tune in to Thirteen (WNET/Ch. 13) on Monday, December 1st at 8pm for the world premiere of 'Finding Billy,' a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the nationwide search for the three actors who play the lead role in Billy Elliot the Musical on Broadway.

Broadway's Imperial Theatre shined extra bright last night, Thursday, November 13th as Billy Elliot The Musical celebrated Opening Night. With music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall and directed by Stephen Daldry, this new musical had the first night audience cheering from the very first moments. After the curtain came down, the party got started and BroadwayWorld was there!

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. 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.

Last night in New York, Thursday 13 November, Stephen Daldry's production of Billy Elliot The Musical opened on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre to rave reviews. Haydn Gwynne, who created the role on stage in London of Billy Elliot's dance teacher Mrs Wilkinson, made her Broadway debut and playing the title role of Billy Elliot was 13 year old Trent Kowalik from New York.