Stephen Hanna 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.

Baz Bamigboye in the UK Daily Mail spoke with the creative team of BILLY ELLIOT at the show's NY premiere and asked each about the prospect of the film-based stage show going BACK to the big screen.

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.

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.

On Tuesday, November 11th, Billy Elliot the Musical was featured on ABC's 'The View.' Composer Elton John, and stars David Alvarez,Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish joined the ladies of 'The View' to discuss the new musical.

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Weinstein Live Entertainment, announced today that Fidelity Investments will be presenting sponsor of the highly-anticipated Broadway production of Billy Elliot the Musical, opening tonight Thursday, November 13, at the Imperial Theatre.

On Tuesday, November 11th, Billy Elliot the Musical will be featured on ABC's 'The View.' Composer Elton John, and stars David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish will join the ladies of 'The View' to discuss the new musical.

On Tuesday, November 11th, Billy Elliot the Musical will be featured on ABC's 'The View.' Composer Elton John, and stars David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish will join the ladies of 'The View' to discuss the new musical.

On Sunday, November 9th, Billy Elliot the Musical will be featured on CBS 'Sunday Morning.' Composer Elton John, director Stephen Daldry and stars David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish sat down with CBS' Katie Couric to discuss the new musical. 'Sunday Morning' airs locally on channel 2 - WCBS in the tri-state area.

On Sunday, November 9th, Billy Elliot the Musical will be featured on CBS 'Sunday Morning.' Composer Elton John, director Stephen Daldry and stars David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish sat down with CBS' Katie Couric to discuss the new musical. 'Sunday Morning' airs locally on channel 2 - WCBS in the tri-state area.

A hit in London and one of the most highly anticipated shows of the upcoming theatre season, Billy Elliot began preview performances on October 1, 2008. With music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall and directed by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot the Musical opens at Broadway's Imperial Theatre (240 W 45th St) Thursday, November 13th.

A hit in London and one of the most highly anticipated shows of the upcoming theatre season, Billy Elliot began preview performances last night, October 1, 2008. With music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall and directed by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot the Musical opens at Broadway's Imperial Theatre on Thursday, November 13th.

To celebrate the show's Broadway premiere, 300,000 new tickets will be released for sale on 1 October for the London production of Billy Elliot the Musical, taking bookings to 24 October 2009.

A hit in London and one of the most highly anticipated shows of the upcoming theatre season, Billy Elliot the Musical begins preview performances tonight, October 1, 2008. With music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall and directed by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot the Musical opens at Broadway's Imperial Theatre (240 W 45th St) Thursday, November 13th.

On July 29th, 2008 the cast and creative team of the upcoming Broadway musical 'Billy Elliot' met the press. With music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall and directed by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot the Musical opens at Broadway's Imperial Theatre (240 W 45th St) Thursday, November 13th.

The full cast of the Broadway production of Billy Elliot the Musical has been announced by Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Weinstein Live Entertainment.

Bret Shuford, currently appearing in Disney's newest musical, The Little Mermaid, made his solo cabaret debut this past Sunday, January 27, 2008, at The Laurie Beechman Theatre