Paul Arditti News

Billy Elliot the Musical and Broadway In Chicago have joined with other special partners to create an exciting series of events to ring in the Back to School season.

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions bring the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Billy Elliot the Musical to PlayhouseSquare from November 19 through December 12. 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.

On Saturday, September 18th Billy Elliot the Musical will hold an open call for Ballet Girls at the Broadhurst Theatre (235 W 44th St).

On September 7, Billy Elliot's Dayton Tavares performed 'Electricity' from the Tony Award-winning musical at the White House as part 'The White House Dance Series: A Tribute to Judith Jamison.'

As BroadwayWorld has previously reported, Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions will launch the second national tour of Billy Elliot the Musical beginning October 30 at the Durham Performing Arts Center. Tony Award-winner Faith Prince stars as Mrs. Wilkinson along with Giuseppe Bausilio, Michael Dameski, Kylend Hetherington, Lex Ishimoto and Daniel Russell in the role of 'Billy.' Rehearsals began today in New York City! BroadwayWorld brings you photo coverage of the meet and greet below.

On September 7th, First Lady Michelle Obama will invite world renowned dance companies to perform at the Administration's first event celebrating dance. The White House Dance Series: A Tribute to Judith Jamison will honor Jamison for her outstanding career as an American dancer, choreographer, and Artistic Director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for the past 20 years. The event, featuring American dance from ballet, modern and contemporary dance, hip hop and Broadway will be held in the White House's East Room at 5:00 PM and will be pooled press. The early evening event will feature performers by Billy from Billy Elliot the Musical, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Paul Taylor Dance Company, The Washington Ballet, Super Cr3w, and New York City Ballet. It will be directed by Damian Woetzel, former principal dancer at the New York City Ballet and member of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities.

NEW PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 7, 2010- Tuesdays at 7pm, Thursday - Sunday at 7:30pm, Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday at 2pm. There will be a different holiday schedule for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

On September 7th, First Lady Michelle Obama will invite world renowned dance companies to perform at the Administration's first event celebrating dance. The White House Dance Series: A Tribute to Judith Jamison will honor Jamison for her outstanding career as an American dancer, choreographer, and Artistic Director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for the past 20 years. The event, featuring American dance from ballet, modern and contemporary dance, hip hop and Broadway will be held in the White House's East Room at 5:00 PM and will be pooled press. The early evening event will feature performers by Billy from Billy Elliot the Musical, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Paul Taylor Dance Company, The Washington Ballet, Super Cr3w, and New York City Ballet. It will be directed by Damian Woetzel, former principal dancer at the New York City Ballet and member of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities.

NEW PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 7, 2010- Tuesdays at 7pm, Thursday - Sunday at 7:30pm, Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday at 2pm. There will be a different holiday schedule for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions announced the full casting today for the second national tour of Billy Elliot the Musical beginning October 30 at the Durham Performing Arts Center. Tony Award-winner Faith Prince stars as Mrs. Wilkinson along with Giuseppe Bausilio, Michael Dameski, Kylend Hetherington, Lex Ishimoto and Daniel Russell in the role of 'Billy.'

London's Young Vic Theatre will revive Martin McDonagh's first play, THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENAN, which will run from July 15 through August 21.

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Weinstein Live Entertainment announced today that Tony® Award nominee Emily Skinner, currently starring as 'Mrs. Wilkinson' in the first national touring production of Billy Elliot the Musical in Chicago, will join the Broadway company on October 2, 2010. Kate Hennig will play her final Broadway performance on October 1, 2010 and will return to her home town to launch the Toronto engagement of Billy Elliot, which begins performances at the Canon Theatre on January 28, 2011.

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Weinstein Live Entertainment announced today that Peter Mazurowski will join the cast of the 10-time Tony Award-winning Billy Elliot the Musical, in the role of ‘Billy.' Joining him will be Neil McCaffrey and Gabriel Rush alternating in the role of ‘Michael.'

David Bologna returned to the cast of BILLY ELLIOT in the role of Michael, Billy's best friend on June 16th. Bologna received a 2009 Tony nomination for his performance as 'Michael.' He is scheduled to play his final performance on Sunday, August 8th.

Billy Elliot the Musical and Broadway In Chicago have joined with other special partners to create an exciting series of events to ring in the Back to School season.

The Ballet Girls of Broadway's BILLY ELLIOT will host a free dance warm-up on July 31 to celebrate National Dance Day, the show's official website announces. The warm-up will be held at 12:45pm outside Broadway's Imperial Theatre, 249 West 45th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue).

The Ballet Girls of Broadway's BILLY ELLIOT will host a free dance warm-up on July 31 to celebrate National Dance Day, the show's official website announces. The warm-up will be held at 12:45pm outside Broadway's Imperial Theatre, 249 West 45th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue).

UK Daily Mail reports that BILLY ELLIOT authors Elton John and Lee Hall will be collaborating again on a new musical based on George Orwell's 'Animal Farm.'

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Weinstein Live Entertainment are announcing, with Broadway In Chicago, that tickets for the finAl Block of BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL in Chicago will go on sale Friday, July 16, 2010. After a successful 10-month run, BILLY ELLIOT will play its final Chicago performance on January 15, 2011. This finAl Block of performances runs from October 26, 2010 through January 15, 2011 and includes popular holiday performances.

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Weinstein Live Entertainment announced today that the first national tour of Billy Elliot the Musical, the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical featuring music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry, will play its final performance in Chicago on Saturday, January 15, 2011 at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph Street).