Billy Elliot the Musical is a
musicalMusical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
based on the 2000 film
Billy ElliotBilly Elliot is a 2000 British drama film written by Lee Hall and directed by Stephen Daldry. Set in the fictional town of "Everington" in the real County Durham, UK, it stars Jamie Bell as 11-year-old Billy, an aspiring dancer, Gary Lewis as his coal miner father, Jamie Draven as Billy's older...
. The music is by Sir Elton John, and book and lyrics are by
Lee HallLee Hall is an English playwright and screenwriter. He is best known for the 2000 film Billy Elliot.-Early life:...
, who wrote the film's screenplay. The plot revolves around motherless Billy, who trades boxing gloves for ballet shoes. The story of his personal struggle and fulfillment are balanced against a counter-story of family and community strife caused by the
UK miners' strike (1984–1985)The UK miners' strike was a major industrial action affecting the British coal industry. It was a defining moment in British industrial relations, and its defeat significantly weakened the British trades union movement...
in
County DurhamCounty Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
, in North Eastern England. Hall's screenplay was inspired in part by
A. J. CroninArchibald Joseph Cronin was a Scottish physician and novelist. His best-known works are Hatter's Castle, The Stars Look Down, The Citadel, The Keys of the Kingdom and The Green Years, all of which were adapted to film. He also created the Dr...
's 1935 novel,
The Stars Look DownThe Stars Look Down is a 1935 novel by A. J. Cronin which chronicles various injustices in an English coal mining community. A film version was produced in 1939, and television adaptations include both Italian and British versions....
about an earlier miners' strike, to which the musical's opening song pays
homageHomage is a show or demonstration of respect or dedication to someone or something, sometimes by simple declaration but often by some more oblique reference, artistic or poetic....
.
The musical premiered in London's
West EndWest End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
in 2005 and was nominated for nine
Laurence Olivier AwardsThe Laurence Olivier Award is presented annually by the Society of London Theatre to recognise excellence in professional theatre. Named after the renowned British actor Laurence Olivier, they are given for West End shows and other productions staged in London...
, winning four including Best New Musical. The production is still running strongly, and its success led to productions in Australia, on
BroadwayBroadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
and elsewhere. In New York, it won ten
Tony AwardThe Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
s and ten Drama Desk Awards, including, in each case, best musical. It has also won numerous awards in Australia including a record-tying seven Helpmann Awards.
Original London production
The musical was planned to premiere at the
Tyne TheatreThe Journal Tyne Theatre is a theatre in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It is a Grade I listed building. According to its website, it is the world's oldest working Victorian theatre....
in
Newcastle upon TyneNewcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
, England. This was abandoned due to the financial problems of the Tyne Theatre's operator and the production's growing budget.
The musical premiered in the
West EndWest End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
at the
Victoria Palace TheatreVictoria Palace Theatre is a West End theatre in Victoria Street, in the City of Westminster, opposite Victoria Station.-Origins:The theatre began life as a small concert room above the stables of the Royal Standard Hotel, a small hotel and tavern built in 1832 at what was then 522 Stockbridge...
, opening in previews on 31 March 2005 and officially on 11 May 2005; it is still running today, with the booking date recently being extended to 15 December 2012. It reportedly cost £5.5 million to produce (the original film version cost $5 million). The producers were
Working Title FilmsWorking Title Films is a British film production company, based in London, UK. The company was founded by Tim Bevan and Sarah Radclyffe in 1983. It produces feature films and several television productions, including films starring comic actor Rowan Atkinson...
, Old Vic Productions Plc and
David FurnishDavid James Furnish is a Canadian/British filmmaker, former advertising executive, and now a film director and producer most known for his documentary Elton John: Tantrums & Tiaras...
. It was directed by
Stephen DaldryStephen David Daldry, CBE is an English theatre and film director and producer, as well as a three-time Academy Award nominated and Tony Award winning director.-Early years:...
and choreographed by
Peter DarlingPeter Darling is an English dancer and choreographer best known for his award-winning work in Billy Elliot the Musical.-External links:...
, as was the original film.
Liam MowerLiam Mower is an English actor and dancer. Best known for his talent for ballet, he was one of the three boys who shared the lead role in the original London cast of Billy Elliot the Musical. He is also the youngest person ever to win a Laurence Olivier Award.-Early years:Liam is from Kingston...
, James Lomas and
George MaguireGeorge Maguire is an English actor and one of the three original cast members who carried the title role in Billy Elliot the Musical.-Career:...
were the original actors who alternated in the title role, and the supporting cast included
Haydn Gwynne-Personal life:Born in Hurstpierpoint, Sussex to father Guy Thomas Hayden-Gwynne, she played county level tennis before studying Sociology at the University of Nottingham, and is fluent in French and Italian...
as Mrs. Wilkinson and
Tim HealyTimothy Malcolm Healy is an English actor. He is best known for playing Dennis Patterson in the television series Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. He is married to the actress Denise Welch.-Career:...
as Billy's father. The sets were designed by
Ian MacNeilIan MacNeil is a British scenic designer. He won the 1994 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Set Design for An Inspector Calls and the 2009 Tony Award for Best Scenic Design of a Musical for Billy Elliot The Musical.-Early life and career:...
, and the costumes were by
Nicky GillibrandNicky Gillibrand is a theatrical costume designer who was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Costume Design for Billy Elliot the Musical. She won the Gold Medal for Costume Design at the 2003 Prague Quadrenale for the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of A Midsummer Night's DreamGillibrand...
, lighting was by
Rick FisherRick Fisher is a lighting designer, known for his work with Stephen Daldry on Billy Elliot the Musical and An Inspector Calls. He is from Philadelphia and attended Dickinson College, but has been based in the UK for the last 30 years....
, and sound by
Paul ArdittiPaul Arditti is a theatre sound designer, working mainly in the UK and the US. He specialises in designing sound scores for plays and sound systems for musicals. He has won awards for his work in both categories, including the 2006 Olivier Award for Billy Elliot the Musical...
. The original cast album was released on 10 January 2006.
The musical received favourable reviews: the
Daily Telegraph's Charles SpencerCharles Spencer is a British journalist. He has been the drama critic of The Daily Telegraph since 1991. In 2006, Compton Miller of The Independent wrote in a profile: "This convivial ex-alcoholic is best remembered for his description of Nicole Kidman's nude scene in The Blue Room as 'pure...
called it "the greatest British musical I have ever seen", and
The Daily Mail thought it "a theatrical masterpiece".
Billy Elliot the Musical won four
Laurence Olivier AwardsThe Laurence Olivier Award is presented annually by the Society of London Theatre to recognise excellence in professional theatre. Named after the renowned British actor Laurence Olivier, they are given for West End shows and other productions staged in London...
: Best New Musical, Best Actor (awarded jointly to James Lomas, George Maguire and Liam Mower, the boys who played Billy), Best Sound design and Best Choreographer. It also won the Evening Standard Award as well as the Critcs Circle Award and the Theatregoers Choice Award, all for Best Musical. On 12 May 2006, the three original Billys appeared together in a performance of the musical to celebrate its first anniversary. The three rotated the role during the performance and were joined at the end by Sir Elton John.
Billy Youth Theatre
Billy Youth Theatre is a countrywide scheme as part of which participating schools and youth groups will be given the opportunity to stage their own production of this internationally award-winning show. Billy Elliot writer Lee Hall, together with Martin Koch (Musical Supervision and Orchestrations), have adapted their original script and orchestrations to produce a shortened version of the show exclusively for groups staging local productions as part of Billy Youth Theatre.
Original Australian production
The musical opened at
SydneySydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
's
Capitol TheatreThe Capitol Theatre is a historic theatre building located at 13 Campbell Street, Haymarket, Sydney, Australia.-History:The Capitol Theatre is at the former site of the Belmore Markets. The latter were built in 1891 by George McRae, City Architect, and the structural engineer Norman Selfe, but were...
on 13 November 2007, directed by Daldry in association with Julian Webber, and choreographed by Darling. Rhys Kosakowski, Lochlan Denholm, Rarmian Newton, and Nick Twiney alternated in the title role. The production earned good notices, and in January 2008 it won Best Musical at the 2008 Sydney Theatre Awards. The show also won seven Helpmann Awards, including the awards for Best Musical, Best Direction, Best Choreography, Best Actress (Genevieve Lemon as Mrs. Wilkinson) and Best Actor, awarded jointly to the four boys who played Billy Elliot. The production concluded in Sydney on 9 November 2008 with all eight Sydney Billys in the finale.
The Sydney production transferred to
MelbourneMelbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
's
Her Majesty's TheatreHer Majesty's Theatre is a 1706 seat theatre in Melbourne, Australia. Built in 1886, it is located at 219 Exhibition Street, Melbourne. It is classified by the National Trust of Australia and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register....
, opening on 13 December 2008. The Melbourne production closed on 14 June 2009 after a successful run.
Original Broadway production
The
BroadwayBroadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
production opened at the Imperial Theatre on 1 October 2008 in previews and officially on 13 November 2008. The London production's creative team directed and designed the Broadway production. The title role was rotated among three young actors,
David ÁlvarezDavid Alvarez is a Canadian dancer and actor, best known as being one of the original Billys in the Broadway production of Billy Elliot the Musical.- Early years :...
,
Kiril KulishKiril Kulish is an American actor, dancer, and singer. Beginning his ballet training at the age of five, Kulish became a Tony Award winner at the age of fifteen as Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his role as one of the original Billys in the Broadway production of Billy Elliot the Musical.-...
and
Trent KowalikTrent Kowalik is an American actor, dancer, and singer. Kowalik made his theatrical debut as "Billy" in the West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical on December 17, 2007...
, the last of whom had played the role in London. The supporting cast included Haydn Gwynne, reprising her role of Mrs. Wilkinson from the London production, and
Gregory Jbara-Early life:Jbara was born in Nankin Township , Michigan, the son of an advertising office manager and an insurance claims adjuster. He is of Lebanese and Irish descent. After graduating from Wayne Memorial High School in Wayne, Michigan, Jbara attended the University of Michigan from 1979 to 1981...
as Billy's father. The production received rave reviews:
TimeTime is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
called it a "triumph"; critic
Liz SmithMary Elizabeth "Liz" Smith is an American gossip columnist. She is known as The Grand Dame of Dish.- Early life and career :...
termed it "breathtakingly brilliant" and "absolutely, unequivocally awesome"; the
Daily News said it was "so exhilarating that at times you feel like leaping"; the
New York PostThe New York Post is the 13th-oldest newspaper published in the United States and is generally acknowledged as the oldest to have been published continuously as a daily, although – as is the case with most other papers – its publication has been periodically interrupted by labor actions...
said it was "almost like being in love" and termed it "amusing, perfect and passionate" and "the best show you will ever see"; and the
Los Angeles TimesThe Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
called it a "global theatrical phenomenon". It has also been very financially successful, with $20 million taken in advance ticket sales. The production received fifteen
Tony AwardThe Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
nominations, tying with
The ProducersThe Producers is a musical adapted by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan from Brooks' 1968 film of the same name, with lyrics written by Brooks and music composed by Brooks and arranged by Glen Kelly and Doug Besterman. As in the film, the story concerns two theatrical producers who scheme to get rich...
for the most nominations ever received by a Broadway show, and winning ten. The original three boys in the lead role jointly won a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. The production recouped its original investment of $18 million in 14 months and, as of 2010, continues to sell strongly. On 3 October 2011, it was announced that the Broadway Production will close on 8 January 2012 following 40 previews and 1,304 regular performances.
Touring productions
Although considered to be the First National Tour, the show did not tour as the usual touring production would, with longer engagements in
ChicagoChicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
,and
TorontoToronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
.
Chicago (2010)
The musical opened in Chicago on 18 March 2010 in previews, officially on 11 April, at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts Oriental Theatre for an extended run. This is the start of the North American multi-city tour. According to producer Eric Fellner, however, the musical "will be here until such time as Chicago says 'go away'. ... We can only do one production at once," and other North American cities will have to wait until the Chicago production runs its course.
Emily SkinnerEmily Skinner is an American musical theatre actress and singer. She has performed in such Broadway shows as Side Show, James Joyce's The Dead, The Full Monty, Dinner at Eight and, currently, in Billy Elliot...
plays Mrs. Wilkinson, and the cast features
Tommy BatchelorTommy Batchelor is an American dancer born in Huntsville, Alabama, and currently resides in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.-Career:...
, Giuseppe Bausilio,
Cesar CorralesCesar Corrales is an actor and dancer born in Mexico City, Mexico of Cuban descent. Corrales currently resides in Montreal, Quebec with his parents who are also dancers.-Career:...
and John Peter (J.P.) Viernes alternating as Billy. The production closed early on 28 November 2010 and transferred to Toronto. The show ran for 37 weeks and 288 performances.
The production had been slated to run through July 2010 but was extended to the middle of January 2011, by popular demand. But by September, ticket sales were growing bleak. According to the
Chicago Tribune, "Weekday attendance had been especially poor in recent weeks, despite heavily discounted tickets. Audience members at the Oriental Theatre in the Loop had reported an almost-empty balcony at some shows, and weekday attendance had been as low as 900 or so people. December sales are typically strong, so the decision to close then indicated that things were not expected to pick up." The show closed "early" in November 2011.
Toronto (2011)
The Canadian premiere of the show opened on 1 February 2011 at the
Canon Theatre-History:The Canon Theatre began as the Pantages Theatre in 1920 as a combination vaudeville and motion picture house. Designed by the great theatre architect Thomas W. Lamb, it was the largest cinema in Canada and one of the most elegant.The Pantages was built by the Canadian motion picture...
in Toronto,
CanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It was originally scheduled for 28 January 2011.
The show received mostly glowing reviews, Toronto Times exclaiming "ALL HAIL BILLY AND LONG MAY HE REIGN." The most critical review was one published in the National Post: "The signal achievement of Billy Elliot The Musical is to be even phonier than the movie it’s based on."
The show was extended, due to packed audiences and seemingly undying interest, for an additional 3 months.
Second National Tour (2010- )
A second tour opened at the
Durham Performing Arts CenterThe Durham Performing Arts Center opened November 30, 2008 as the largest performing arts center in the Carolinas at a cost of $48 million. It will be the main venue for the performing arts in Durham, North Carolina.-Costs and history:...
in
Durham, North CarolinaDurham is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the county seat of Durham County and also extends into Wake County. It is the fifth-largest city in the state, and the 85th-largest in the United States by population, with 228,330 residents as of the 2010 United States census...
on 30 October 2010. Although this is the first production of the musical to tour the United States and Canada in a "touring" manner, this is still considered to be the Second National Tour. Following its run in Durham, the tour played in
Houston, TexasHouston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
and
Portland, OregonPortland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
before opening at the Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco on 27 June 2011. The show will play there through 21 August, about four weeks shorter than the schedule which was originally announced.
Faith PrinceFaith Prince is an American actress and singer known primarily for her work on Broadway. Prince has won the Tony Award as Best Actress in a Musical and received three Tony nominations.-Life and career:...
plays Mrs. Wilkinson, and the title role is shared by
J.P. ViernesJ.P. Viernes is an American dancer and actor out of Half Moon Bay, California.-Career:Viernes began his dance training at the age of seven with the Shely Pack Dancers in Half Moon Bay, California. He participated in many recitals with the Shely Pack Dancers through 2009...
, Ethan Fuller, Kylend Hetherington, Lex Ishimoto and Daniel Russell. The cast also includes Rich Hebert (Dad), Patti Perkins (Grandma), Jeff Kready (Tony), Joel Blum (George), Griffin Birney and Jacob Zelonky (Michael), Regan Haley (Tracey), and Rachel Mracna (Debbie).
Other productions
The musical opened in
SeoulSeoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
on 10 August 2010 in previews, officially on 14 August, at the LG Arts Center, becoming the first non-English speaking Billy Elliot's production, starring Billys Jin-Ho Jung, Ji-Myeong Lee, Sunu Lim, Se-Yong Kim and Junhyung Kim.
Synopsis
Act I
In
County DurhamCounty Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
, during the
1984-85 coal miners' strikeThe UK miners' strike was a major industrial action affecting the British coal industry. It was a defining moment in British industrial relations, and its defeat significantly weakened the British trades union movement...
("The Stars Look Down"), motherless eleven-year-old Billy inadvertently finds his way out of his boxing practice and as the only boy in a ballet class run by Mrs. Wilkinson and becomes attracted to the grace of the dance ("Shine"). While his brother, father and neighbours are on strike and clash with riot police, he continues to take dance lessons, keeping it a secret from his family. The secret is at first easily kept, as the only person home at the time is his grandmother, who reveals her abusive relationship with her dead husband and that she too loved to dance, which made everything all right ("Grandma's Song"). Billy forms a friendship with Mrs. Wilkinson’s daughter Debbie.
The boxing coach informs Billy's dad that the boy hasn't been to practice in months, and Mr. Elliot erupts, realising Billy has spent the money he gave his son for boxing on something else ("Solidarity"), a number which intersperses the violent, riotous reality with the girls peacefully practicing their ballet routines in a fictional but tranquil world. When Mr. Elliot discovers where his son has been, he storms into the ballet class and forbids Billy from attending the lessons. Mrs. Wilkinson, who is supportive of Billy and recognizes his talent, privately suggests he come to the studio for free solo lessons, and he improves to a level beyond that of the rest of the class. Eventually, she encourages him to audition for the
Royal Ballet SchoolThe Royal Ballet School is one of the most famous classical ballet schools in the world and is the associate school of the Royal Ballet, a leading international ballet company based at the Royal Opera House in London...
in London. Meanwhile, Billy's best friend Michael is beginning to understand his homosexuality. He persuades Billy to have fun with him by dressing up in women's clothing and disdaining the restrictive inhibitions of their working class community ("Expressing Yourself"). Billy continues to take private ballet lessons, bonding with Mrs. Wilkinson and developing an impressive routine for his audition ("Dear Billy (Mum's Letter)/Born to Boogie"). Meanwhile, Billy's father and brother Tony are engaged in daily battles with riot police that often turn bloody. They struggle to support the family with very little in strike and union pay, a difficult task that goes on for nearly a year.
When the day of the Royal Ballet School audition comes, Mrs. Wilkinson arrives to pick up Billy. However, his family and some members of the community have gathered at the Elliot home, and she is forced to reveal that she has been teaching Billy ballet in preparation for this very day. This news upsets Billy’s father and Tony, who pushes the boy around, calls him names and embarrasses him in front of everyone. This setback sends Billy into a rage, and for nearly a year he stays away from everything related to ballet ("Angry Dance").
Act II
At Christmas time in the community centre, the children put on a show disparaging Prime Minister
Margaret ThatcherMargaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
, who is seen as the antagonist by the coal miners ("Merry Christmas, Maggie Thatcher"). Billy's father gets drunk and sings an old folk song that elicits memories of his deceased wife and the usually stoic man leaves in tears ("Deep Into the Ground"). Left alone with Billy in the Community Centre, Michael reveals he has feelings for him, but Billy explains that although he likes ballet, he is not gay. Nonetheless, he lets Michael give him a kiss on the cheek. Michael leaves, and Billy feels like dancing for the first time since the day of the aborted audition ("Swan Lake"). From the door, his father watches Billy's dance routine and, overcome with emotion, he goes to Mrs. Wilkinson’s house to discuss Billy’s prospects as a dancer. She confirms Billy's talent, but is not sure whether or not he would get into the Royal Ballet School. They discuss the cost of tuition, an amount well beyond Mr. Elliot's means. He leaves questioning his working-class pride and the future mining has for his boys.
Mr. Elliot decides the only way to help Billy is to return to work. When Tony sees his father cross the picket line, he becomes infuriated and the two argue over what is more important: unity of the miners or helping Billy achieve his dream ("He Could Be A Star"). The argument eventually comes to blows and Billy is hit accidentally. One by one, the miners side with Billy's quest and offer the boy their strike pay, but Billy still can’t afford the bus fare to London. A strike-breaker offers him hundreds of pounds from his wage, and an enraged Tony attempts to shun his efforts, but Billy accepts nonetheless. Now drained of hope, Tony dismally ponders whether there's a point for anything anymore, and runs off.
Billy and his father arrive at the Royal Ballet School for the audition. While Mr. Elliot waits outside, an upper-crust Londoner highlights the contrast between the Elliots and the families of the other applicants. Mr. Elliot meets a dancer with a thick Northern accent. The dancer confesses that his father does not support his ballet career. He sharply advises Mr. Elliot to "get behind" his boy. Billy nervously finishes the audition with a sinking feeling that he did not do well. As he packs his gear, he lets that emotion overwhelm him, and he punches another auditioner in the face. The audition committee reminds Billy of the strict standards of the school. They have received an enthusiastic letter from Mrs. Wilkinson explaining Billy's background and situation, and they ask him to describe what he feels when he dances. Billy responds with a heartfelt declaration of his passion ("Electricity").
Back in Durham, the Elliots resume life as usual. Billy receives a letter from the school and, overwhelmed and fearful, knowing that it heralds the end of the life he has known, informs his family that he wasn't accepted. Tony retrieves the letter from the waste bin and discovers that his brother was accepted. At the same time, the miners have decided to return to work resigned to the fact they are a part of a dying industry and a withering community, but take comfort that Billy at least will rise from the ashes to greatness. Billy says goodbye to the miners ("Once We Were Kings"), Mrs. Wilkinson (thanking her for everything she did to help him) and Debbie, who will miss him ("Dear Mum (Billy's Reply)"). Michael arrives to say goodbye, and Billy gives him a friendly kiss on the cheek ("Finale"), leaving the past behind him and his bright future ahead of him.
Musical numbers
Act I
- "The Stars Look Down" – Company
- "Shine" – Ballet Girls, Mrs. Wilkinson & Mr Braithwaite
- "Grandma's Song" – Grandma
- "Solidarity" – Ballet Girls, Billy, Mrs. Wilkinson, Miners & Police
- "Expressing Yourself" – Billy, Michael, and Ensemble
- "The Letter (Mum's Letter)" – Mrs. Wilkinson, Mum and Billy
- "Born to Boogie" – Mrs. Wilkinson, Billy, and Mr. Braithwaite
- "Angry Dance" – Billy & Male Ensemble
Act II
- "Merry Christmas, Maggie Thatcher" – Tony and Partiers
- "Deep Into the Ground" – Jackie
- "Swan Lake" – Billy and Billy Older Self
- "He Could Be a Star" – Jackie and Tony (called "He Could Go and He Could Shine" in US productions)
- "Electricity" – Billy
- "Once We Were Kings" – Company
- "The Letter (Billy's Reply)" – Mum and Billy
- Finale – Company
Characters and original casts
The principal original cast of the West End, Broadway and Korea productions:
| Character |
Original London Cast |
Original Broadway Cast |
Korea Cast |
| Billy Elliot |
Liam Mower Liam Mower is an English actor and dancer. Best known for his talent for ballet, he was one of the three boys who shared the lead role in the original London cast of Billy Elliot the Musical. He is also the youngest person ever to win a Laurence Olivier Award.-Early years:Liam is from Kingston...
James Lomas
George MaguireGeorge Maguire is an English actor and one of the three original cast members who carried the title role in Billy Elliot the Musical.-Career:...
|
Kiril Kulish Kiril Kulish is an American actor, dancer, and singer. Beginning his ballet training at the age of five, Kulish became a Tony Award winner at the age of fifteen as Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his role as one of the original Billys in the Broadway production of Billy Elliot the Musical.-...
David ÁlvarezDavid Alvarez is a Canadian dancer and actor, best known as being one of the original Billys in the Broadway production of Billy Elliot the Musical.- Early years :...
Trent KowalikTrent Kowalik is an American actor, dancer, and singer. Kowalik made his theatrical debut as "Billy" in the West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical on December 17, 2007...
|
Seyong Kim
Jimyung Lee
Jinho jung
Junhyung Park
Sunu Lim |
| Michael Caffrey |
Ryan Longbottom
Ashley Luke Lloyd
Brad KavanaghBrad Lewis Kavanagh is an English actor and singer-songwriter, originally from Whitehaven, Cumbria.-Acting career:Kavanagh made his acting debut in the West End in Billy Elliot the Musical as Billy's best friend, Michael, at the age of 11...
|
David Bologna David Bologna is an American actor, dancer and singer. Beginning performing at the age of seven, Bolonga became a Tony Award nominee at the age of fourteen as the Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his Broadway debut as Billy's flamboyant best friend Michael in Billy Elliot the Musical.-Life and...
Frank Dolce |
Bumjun Kim
Sunghun Lee |
| Debbie Wilkinson |
Lucy Stephenson
Emma Hudson
Brooke Havana Bailey |
Erin Whyland |
Yeeun Park |
| Georgia Wilkinson |
Haydn Gwynne -Personal life:Born in Hurstpierpoint, Sussex to father Guy Thomas Hayden-Gwynne, she played county level tennis before studying Sociology at the University of Nottingham, and is fluent in French and Italian...
|
Youngjoo Jung |
| Jackie Elliot |
Tim Healy Timothy Malcolm Healy is an English actor. He is best known for playing Dennis Patterson in the television series Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. He is married to the actress Denise Welch.-Career:...
|
Gregory Jbara-Early life:Jbara was born in Nankin Township , Michigan, the son of an advertising office manager and an insurance claims adjuster. He is of Lebanese and Irish descent. After graduating from Wayne Memorial High School in Wayne, Michigan, Jbara attended the University of Michigan from 1979 to 1981...
|
Wonhee Joe |
| Tony Elliot |
Joe Caffrey -History:Caffrey was born in the shipbuilding town of Wallsend, Tyneside. His father had worked at Swan Hunter's Shipyards and both of his grandfathers were miners...
|
Santino Fontana |
Jaehyun Lim |
| Grandma |
Ann Emery Ann Emery is a British actress. She is the sister of actor and comedian Dick Emery.Educated at Mrs Smith's School for Young Ladies and the Cone Ripman School, she excelled in tap dancing, which led to her first stage role as a Babe in Babes In The Wood at the King's Theatre, Hammersmith.During...
|
Carole Shelley Carole Shelley is an English actress. Among her many stage roles are the character of Madame Morrible in the original Broadway cast of the musical Wicked.-Life and career:...
|
Jusil Lee |
| Mr. Braithwaite |
Steve Elias |
Thommie Retter |
Wonryung Jang |
| George |
Trevor Fox |
Joel Hatch |
Gunsu Ham |
| Jenny Elliot |
Stephanie Putson |
Leah Hocking |
Munhee Lim |
| Billy Elliot (age 25) |
Issac James |
Stephen Hanna |
Hyunji Shin |
Notable West End replacements:
- Billy Elliot – Leon Cooke
Leon Dominic Cooke is an English stage actor, singer, dancer and all round musical performer.- Early life :Leon Cooke hails from Newcastle-under-Lyme, born in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire and has 7 siblings all of whom have danced or still do including his mother Joy and father Michael...
, Travis YatesTravis Hamilton Yates is a British actor. He is best known for portraying the title role of Billy in the London production of Billy Elliot the Musical from 2005 to 2007.He was in born Manchester and lives in Middleton, Greater Manchester...
, Matthew KoonMatthew Koon is an English stage actor and dancer. He is most noted for participating in the Sky One television series Got to Dance, in which he reached the final, finishing in 3rd place.-Career:...
, Colin BatesColin Gary Bates is an American actor, singer and dancer best known for his role in the London production of Billy Elliot.- Early life :...
, Dean McCarthyDean McCarthy is an Irish actor, dancer and model best known for his performance as Billy in Billy Elliot the Musical based on the hit film Billy Elliot.-Career:...
, Layton WilliamsLayton Williams is an English stage actor, best known as one of the boys who played the title role in Billy Elliot the Musical at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London's West End, and as the character Kylie in the BBC UK TV series Beautiful People 2008 and 2009.-Career:After several months of...
, Corey SnideCorey Snide is an American actor and dancer best known for his performance as Billy in Billy Elliot the Musical based on the hit film Billy Elliot....
, Oliver TaylorOliver Taylor is an English stage actor and dancer, best known for playing the title role in Billy Elliot the Musical at the Victoria Palace Theatre, London.- Biography :...
, Joshua FedrickJoshua Fedrick is an English dancer and actor who played the lead in the London cast of Billy Elliot the Musical. He made his debut in the role on 12 November 2007. He made his last appearance in the role on 27 September 2008....
, Trent KowalikTrent Kowalik is an American actor, dancer, and singer. Kowalik made his theatrical debut as "Billy" in the West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical on December 17, 2007...
, Rhys Yeomans, Fox Jackson-KeenFox Jackson-Keen is an English stage and television actor, singer and dancer. He is best known for his shared performances in a two-year run as the star role of 'Billy' in Billy Elliot the Musical at London's Victoria Palace Theatre.-Background:Jackson-Keen has appeared in a wide range of...
, Tom HollandTom Holland is an English stage actor and dancer, best known for playing the title role in Billy Elliot the Musical at the Victoria Palace Theatre, London.- Biography :...
- Michael Caffrey – Tom Holland
Tom Holland is an English stage actor and dancer, best known for playing the title role in Billy Elliot the Musical at the Victoria Palace Theatre, London.- Biography :...
, Jake PrattJake Pratt, also known as Jakey P is an English teen actor and comedian. He entered the public eye when he appeared on the first series of the ITV1 television show Britain's Got Talent in June 2007 where he reached the semi-finals, where he lost out in a place in the grand final...
, Jake Evan Schwenke
- Debbie Wilkinson – Amy Duggan
Amy Duggan is a British stage actress, who is best known for her role as Debbie in the West End Musical Billy Elliot the Musical.- Biography :...
, Leyci WightmanLeyci Robyn Wightman is British stage actress and dancer from South Shields, Newcastle.She started dancing at the age of two and in 2005, she auditioned for the Sunderland tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang This was to be her debut professional production.She was given the part of Jemima Potts and...
, Megan JossaMegan Carmel Hollie Jossa is a teen actress best known for playing Courtney Mitchell in the BBC soap opera EastEnders.-Biography:...
- Mrs Wilkinson – Sally Dexter
Sally Julia Dexter , is an English actress of stage and screen.She was educated at Chiltern Edge School, King James's College at Henley-on-Thames, now The Henley College...
, Jackie CluneJackie Clune is a British entertainer, noted as a woman journalist, actress, voiceover artiste and radio/TV broadcaster. She performs cabaret, and is known for her one-woman shows and late Karen Carpenter tribute act...
, Joanna RidingJoanna Riding, is an English actress. For her work in West End musicals, she has won two Laurence Olivier Awards, and has been nominated for two others.-Biography:...
, Genevieve LemonGenevieve Lemon is an Australian actress who has appeared in a number of soap operas – as Zelda Baker in The Young Doctors, Marlene "Rabbit" Warren in Prisoner and Brenda Riley in Neighbours...
- Dad – James Gaddas
James Gaddas is an English actor probably best known for playing Governing Governor Neil Grayling in ITV's Bad Girls between 2002 and 2006. Prior to this he played Vinnie Sorrell in Coronation Street between 1999–2000, and had a supporting role in ITV's Medics...
, Philip WhitchurchPhilip Whitchurch is a British stage, film, and television actor. He is best known for playing Chief Inspector Philip Cato in The Bill from 1993 to 1995...
, Joe Caffrey-History:Caffrey was born in the shipbuilding town of Wallsend, Tyneside. His father had worked at Swan Hunter's Shipyards and both of his grandfathers were miners...
, Daniel CollDaniel Coll is an English actor who played the recurring character DI Frank Blackmore in ITV's Emmerdale. He has previously made on off appearances in Coronation Street and Heartbeat. He was in Mel Gibson's Braveheart...
(alternate), David BardsleyDavid John Bardsley is an English former professional footballer.-Club career:Bardsley started with Blackpool in 1982 and subsequently moved to Watford in 1983 for £150,000 where he was noted for his pace, and played every game in Watford's run to the 1984 FA Cup Final, where they eventually lost...
(alternate), Martin MarquezMartin Marquez is a British actor.He is best known on television for his role as Gino Primirola, the head barman, in the British TV comedy drama Hotel Babylon...
- Tony – Craig Gallivan
Craig Gallivan is a British actor best known for playing Callum Watson in Footballers Wives and the ITV2 spin-off drama Footballers' Wives: Extra Time.-External links:Craig is currently playing Tony in Billy Elliot, London....
, Tom LorcanTom Lorcan is a British actor from Leeds in West Yorkshire. He trained at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in North London....
Notable Broadway replacements:
- Billy Elliot – Alex Ko
Nicholas Alexander Ko is an American actor, dancer and singer. He won the title role in Billy Elliot the Musical on Broadway in 2009.-Early life:...
, Michael Dameski
- Tony – Will Chase
Will Chase is an American actor and singer, best known for his work in Broadway musicals.Chase was born in Frankfort, Kentucky to Jerry and Betty Chase and is the youngest of three boys...
- Mrs Wilkinson - Emily Skinner (as of 2 October 2010)
Original casts lists for the other productions, and additional cast information for London and New York can be found at
Billy Elliot the Musical castsThis article lists cast members of Billy Elliot the Musical at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London, since its opening on 31 March 2005, as well as the production at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney, Australia since its opening on 13 December 2007, the transferred production at Her Majesty's Theatre...
.
Awards and nominations
The West End production was nominated for nine 2006
Laurence Olivier AwardsThe Laurence Olivier Award is presented annually by the Society of London Theatre to recognise excellence in professional theatre. Named after the renowned British actor Laurence Olivier, they are given for West End shows and other productions staged in London...
and won four, including Best New Musical. At age thirteen,
Liam MowerLiam Mower is an English actor and dancer. Best known for his talent for ballet, he was one of the three boys who shared the lead role in the original London cast of Billy Elliot the Musical. He is also the youngest person ever to win a Laurence Olivier Award.-Early years:Liam is from Kingston...
was the youngest actor to win the award, and the actors playing Billy were the first to win the award in a shared capacity. Lomas, Maguire, and Mower also jointly received the Theatre Goers' Choice Award 2005 for The Most Promising Newcomer. The production also won The Evening Standard Award 2005, among others. The Sydney production was nominated for eleven
2008 Helpmann AwardsThe 2008 Helpmann Awards were presented on 28 July 2008 at the Lyric Theatre, Sydney. The ceremony was hosted by Jonathan Biggins and Julia Zemiro and was broadcast live on Bio...
and won seven, including Best Musical.
The Melbourne production was nominated for eleven 2008
Green Room AwardsThe Green Room Awards are peer awards which recognise excellence in cabaret, dance, drama, fringe theatre, musical theatre and opera in Melbourne....
and won six, including Best Production Music Theatre. The Broadway production received 15
Tony AwardThe Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
nominations in 2009, tied with
The ProducersThe Producers is a musical adapted by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan from Brooks' 1968 film of the same name, with lyrics written by Brooks and music composed by Brooks and arranged by Glen Kelly and Doug Besterman. As in the film, the story concerns two theatrical producers who scheme to get rich...
for the most nominations ever received by a single show. It won ten Tony Awards, including the
Best MusicalThis is a list of winners and nominations for the Tony Award for Best Musical, first awarded in 1949. This award is presented to the producers of the musical.-1940s:* 1949: Kiss Me, Kate – Music and lyrics by Cole Porter, book by Samuel and Bella Spewack...
. The lead actor award was shared by the three boys who opened in the title role, marking the first time in Tony history the award has been shared by three actors. The production was also nominated for ten Drama Desk Awards, winning all ten, including Outstanding Musical, and for nine 2008-09 Outer Critics Circle Awards, wining seven, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical, and also received a Special Achievement Award for its three Billys.
Original London production
| Year |
Award Ceremony |
Category |
Nominee |
Result |
| 2006 |
Laurence Olivier Award |
Best New Musical |
|
| Best Actor in a Musical |
James Lomas |
rowspan="3" |
| George Maguire George Maguire is an English actor and one of the three original cast members who carried the title role in Billy Elliot the Musical.-Career:...
|
| Liam Mower Liam Mower is an English actor and dancer. Best known for his talent for ballet, he was one of the three boys who shared the lead role in the original London cast of Billy Elliot the Musical. He is also the youngest person ever to win a Laurence Olivier Award.-Early years:Liam is from Kingston...
|
| Best Actress in a Musical |
Haydn Gwynne -Personal life:Born in Hurstpierpoint, Sussex to father Guy Thomas Hayden-Gwynne, she played county level tennis before studying Sociology at the University of Nottingham, and is fluent in French and Italian...
|
|
| Best Performance in a Supporting Role |
Tim Healy Timothy Malcolm Healy is an English actor. He is best known for playing Dennis Patterson in the television series Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. He is married to the actress Denise Welch.-Career:...
|
|
| Best Director |
Stephen Daldry Stephen David Daldry, CBE is an English theatre and film director and producer, as well as a three-time Academy Award nominated and Tony Award winning director.-Early years:...
|
|
| Best Theatre Choreographer |
Peter Darling Peter Darling is an English dancer and choreographer best known for his award-winning work in Billy Elliot the Musical.-External links:...
|
|
| Best Set Design |
Ian McNeil |
|
| Best Lighting Design |
Rick Fisher Rick Fisher is a lighting designer, known for his work with Stephen Daldry on Billy Elliot the Musical and An Inspector Calls. He is from Philadelphia and attended Dickinson College, but has been based in the UK for the last 30 years....
|
|
| Best Sound Design |
Paul Arditti |
|
Original Australian production
| Year |
Award Ceremony |
Category |
Nominee |
Result |
| 2008 |
Helpmann Award The Helpmann Awards recognize distinguished artistic achievement and excellence in Australia's live performing arts sectors. The recognized disciplines include musical and physical theatre, contemporary and classical music, opera, and dance, with a comedy category introduced in 2006...
|
Best Musical |
|
| Best Male Actor in a Musical |
Rhys Kosakowski |
rowspan="4" |
| Rarmian Newton |
| Lochlan Denholm |
| Nick Twiney |
| Best Female Actor in a Musical |
Genevieve Lemon Genevieve Lemon is an Australian actress who has appeared in a number of soap operas – as Zelda Baker in The Young Doctors, Marlene "Rabbit" Warren in Prisoner and Brenda Riley in Neighbours...
|
|
| Best Supporting Male Actor in a Musical |
Linal Haft |
|
| Best Supporting Female Actor in a Musical |
Lola Nixon |
|
| Best Direction of a Musical |
Stephen Daldry Stephen David Daldry, CBE is an English theatre and film director and producer, as well as a three-time Academy Award nominated and Tony Award winning director.-Early years:...
|
|
| Best Choreography |
Peter Darling Peter Darling is an English dancer and choreographer best known for his award-winning work in Billy Elliot the Musical.-External links:...
|
|
| Best Scenic Design |
Ian McNeil |
|
| Best Lighting Design |
Rick Fisher Rick Fisher is a lighting designer, known for his work with Stephen Daldry on Billy Elliot the Musical and An Inspector Calls. He is from Philadelphia and attended Dickinson College, but has been based in the UK for the last 30 years....
|
|
| Best Music Direction |
Stephen Amos |
|
| Best Sound Design |
Paul Arditti Paul Arditti is a theatre sound designer, working mainly in the UK and the US. He specialises in designing sound scores for plays and sound systems for musicals. He has won awards for his work in both categories, including the 2006 Olivier Award for Billy Elliot the Musical...
|
|
| Green Room Award |
Best Production Music Theatre |
|
| Best Male Artist in a Leading Role |
Rhys Kosakowski |
rowspan="5" |
| Michael Dameski |
| Joshua Denyer |
| Dayton Tavares |
| Joshua Waiss Gates |
| Richard Piper |
|
| Best Female Artist in a Leading Role |
Genevieve Lemon Genevieve Lemon is an Australian actress who has appeared in a number of soap operas – as Zelda Baker in The Young Doctors, Marlene "Rabbit" Warren in Prisoner and Brenda Riley in Neighbours...
|
|
| Best Featured Male Artist |
Liam Dodds |
rowspan="4" |
| Thomas Doherty |
| Landen Hale-Brown |
| Joel Slater |
| Mike Smith |
|
| Best Direction Music Theatre |
Stephen Daldry Stephen David Daldry, CBE is an English theatre and film director and producer, as well as a three-time Academy Award nominated and Tony Award winning director.-Early years:...
|
|
| Best Choreography in a Musical |
Peter Darling Peter Darling is an English dancer and choreographer best known for his award-winning work in Billy Elliot the Musical.-External links:...
|
|
| Best Lighting Design and Sound |
Rick Fisher Rick Fisher is a lighting designer, known for his work with Stephen Daldry on Billy Elliot the Musical and An Inspector Calls. He is from Philadelphia and attended Dickinson College, but has been based in the UK for the last 30 years....
|
|
| Best Musical Direction |
Stephen Amos |
|
| Best Costume and/or Set Design |
Nicky Gillibrand Nicky Gillibrand is a theatrical costume designer who was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Costume Design for Billy Elliot the Musical. She won the Gold Medal for Costume Design at the 2003 Prague Quadrenale for the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of A Midsummer Night's DreamGillibrand...
|
|
Original Broadway production
| Year |
Award Ceremony |
Category |
Nominee |
Result |
| 2009 |
Drama Desk Award The Drama Desk Awards, which are given annually in a number of categories, are the only major New York theater honors for which productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway compete against each other in the same category...
|
Outstanding Musical The Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical was first awarded at the 1974-1975 Drama Desk Awards and has been awarded every year since. Before the 21st Drama Desk Awards, acting awards were given without making distinctions between roles in straight dramas as opposed to musicals, nor were there...
|
|
| Outstanding Book of a Musical The Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical is presented by the Drama Desk, a committee which comprises New York City theatre critics, writers, and editors...
|
Lee Hall Lee Hall is an English playwright and screenwriter. He is best known for the 2000 film Billy Elliot.-Early life:...
|
|
| Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical The Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical was first awarded at the 1974-1975 Drama Desk Awards and has been awarded every year since...
|
Gregory Jbara-Early life:Jbara was born in Nankin Township , Michigan, the son of an advertising office manager and an insurance claims adjuster. He is of Lebanese and Irish descent. After graduating from Wayne Memorial High School in Wayne, Michigan, Jbara attended the University of Michigan from 1979 to 1981...
|
|
| Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical The Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical was first awarded in the 1974-1975 Drama Desk Awards and has subsequently been awarded every year. In the 1993-1994 Drama Desk Awards the award was given under the name of Outstanding Supporting Actress - Musical...
|
Haydn Gwynne -Personal life:Born in Hurstpierpoint, Sussex to father Guy Thomas Hayden-Gwynne, she played county level tennis before studying Sociology at the University of Nottingham, and is fluent in French and Italian...
|
|
| Outstanding Director of a Musical The Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director of a Musical was first awarded at the 1974–1975 Drama Desk Awards and has been awarded every year since...
|
Stephen Daldry Stephen David Daldry, CBE is an English theatre and film director and producer, as well as a three-time Academy Award nominated and Tony Award winning director.-Early years:...
|
|
| Outstanding Choreography -1970s:* 1970: Ron Field – Applause** No nominees* 1971: Michael Bennett – Follies and Donald Saddler – No, No, Nanette** No nominees* 1972: Patricia Birch – Grease and Jean Erdman – Two Gentlemen of Verona...
|
Peter Darling Peter Darling is an English dancer and choreographer best known for his award-winning work in Billy Elliot the Musical.-External links:...
|
|
| Outstanding Orchestrations The Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Orchestrations is presented by the Drama Desk, a committee of New York City theatre critics, writers, and editors...
|
Martin Koch Martin Koch is a British music supervisor, orchestrator, conductor, and composer who won the 2009 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Orchestrations and was a co-winner of the 2009 Tony Award for Best Orchestrations for Billy Elliot the Musical, sharing the honor with Michael Starobin and Tom Kitt of...
|
|
| Outstanding Music The Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music is an annual award presented by the Drama Desk, a committee comprising New York City theatre critics, writers, and editors...
|
Elton JohnSir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
|
|
| Outstanding Lighting Design The Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lighting Design is presented by the Drama Desk, a committee of New York City theatre critics, writers, and editors...
|
Rick Fisher Rick Fisher is a lighting designer, known for his work with Stephen Daldry on Billy Elliot the Musical and An Inspector Calls. He is from Philadelphia and attended Dickinson College, but has been based in the UK for the last 30 years....
|
|
| Outstanding Sound Design The Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Sound Design is presented by the Drama Desk, a committee of New York City theatre critics, writers, and editors. It honors the sound designers of productions staged on Broadway, off-Broadway, off-off-Broadway, and for legitimate not-for-profit theaters, all...
|
Paul Arditti Paul Arditti is a theatre sound designer, working mainly in the UK and the US. He specialises in designing sound scores for plays and sound systems for musicals. He has won awards for his work in both categories, including the 2006 Olivier Award for Billy Elliot the Musical...
|
|
| Outer Critics Circle Award The Outer Critics Circle Awards are presented annually for theatrical achievements both on and Off-Broadway and were begun during the 1949-1950 theater season. The awards are decided upon by theater critics who review for out-of-town newspapers, national publications, and other media outlets...
|
Outstanding New Broadway Musical |
|
| Outstanding New Score |
Lee Hall Lee Hall is an English playwright and screenwriter. He is best known for the 2000 film Billy Elliot.-Early life:...
and Elton JohnSir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
|
|
| Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical |
Haydn Gwynne -Personal life:Born in Hurstpierpoint, Sussex to father Guy Thomas Hayden-Gwynne, she played county level tennis before studying Sociology at the University of Nottingham, and is fluent in French and Italian...
|
|
| Outstanding Director of a Musical |
Stephen Daldry Stephen David Daldry, CBE is an English theatre and film director and producer, as well as a three-time Academy Award nominated and Tony Award winning director.-Early years:...
|
|
| Outstanding Choreographer |
Peter Darling Peter Darling is an English dancer and choreographer best known for his award-winning work in Billy Elliot the Musical.-External links:...
|
|
| Outstanding Set Design |
Ian MacNeil |
|
| Outstanding Costume Design |
Nicky Gillibrand Nicky Gillibrand is a theatrical costume designer who was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Costume Design for Billy Elliot the Musical. She won the Gold Medal for Costume Design at the 2003 Prague Quadrenale for the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of A Midsummer Night's DreamGillibrand...
|
|
| Outstanding Lighting Design |
Rick Fisher Rick Fisher is a lighting designer, known for his work with Stephen Daldry on Billy Elliot the Musical and An Inspector Calls. He is from Philadelphia and attended Dickinson College, but has been based in the UK for the last 30 years....
|
|
| Special Achievement Award |
David Alvarez David Álvarez is the creator of the comic strip "Yenny" and illustrator and storyboard artist for DC Comics Looney Tunes series, Disney and other companies.-Early years:...
|
rowspan="3" |
| Trent Kowalik Trent Kowalik is an American actor, dancer, and singer. Kowalik made his theatrical debut as "Billy" in the West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical on December 17, 2007...
|
| Kiril Kulish Kiril Kulish is an American actor, dancer, and singer. Beginning his ballet training at the age of five, Kulish became a Tony Award winner at the age of fifteen as Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his role as one of the original Billys in the Broadway production of Billy Elliot the Musical.-...
|
Tony AwardThe Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
|
Best Musical This is a list of winners and nominations for the Tony Award for Best Musical, first awarded in 1949. This award is presented to the producers of the musical.-1940s:* 1949: Kiss Me, Kate – Music and lyrics by Cole Porter, book by Samuel and Bella Spewack...
|
|
| Best Book of a Musical The Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical is awarded to librettists of the spoken, non-sung dialogue, and storyline of a musical play. Eligibility is restricted to works with original narrative framework; plotless revues and revivals are ineligible...
|
Lee Hall Lee Hall is an English playwright and screenwriter. He is best known for the 2000 film Billy Elliot.-Early life:...
|
|
| Best Original Score The Tony Award for Best Original Score is the Tony Award given to the composers and lyricists of the best original score written for a musical in that year. The score consists of music and lyrics...
|
Lee Hall Lee Hall is an English playwright and screenwriter. He is best known for the 2000 film Billy Elliot.-Early life:...
and Elton JohnSir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
|
|
| Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical The Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical is awarded to the actor who was voted as the best actor in a musical play, whether a new production or a revival...
|
David Alvarez David Alvarez is a Canadian dancer and actor, best known as being one of the original Billys in the Broadway production of Billy Elliot the Musical.- Early years :...
|
rowspan="3" |
| Trent Kowalik Trent Kowalik is an American actor, dancer, and singer. Kowalik made his theatrical debut as "Billy" in the West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical on December 17, 2007...
|
| Kiril Kulish Kiril Kulish is an American actor, dancer, and singer. Beginning his ballet training at the age of five, Kulish became a Tony Award winner at the age of fifteen as Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his role as one of the original Billys in the Broadway production of Billy Elliot the Musical.-...
|
| Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical This is a list of the winners and nominations of Tony Award for the Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical. The award has been presented since 1947...
|
David Bologna David Bologna is an American actor, dancer and singer. Beginning performing at the age of seven, Bolonga became a Tony Award nominee at the age of fourteen as the Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his Broadway debut as Billy's flamboyant best friend Michael in Billy Elliot the Musical.-Life and...
|
|
Gregory Jbara-Early life:Jbara was born in Nankin Township , Michigan, the son of an advertising office manager and an insurance claims adjuster. He is of Lebanese and Irish descent. After graduating from Wayne Memorial High School in Wayne, Michigan, Jbara attended the University of Michigan from 1979 to 1981...
|
|
| Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical This is a list of the winners and nominations of the Tony Award for the Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical. The award, introduced in 1950, was previously named as Best Performance by a Featured or Supporting Actress in a Musical until 1976....
|
Haydn Gwynne -Personal life:Born in Hurstpierpoint, Sussex to father Guy Thomas Hayden-Gwynne, she played county level tennis before studying Sociology at the University of Nottingham, and is fluent in French and Italian...
|
|
| Carole Shelley Carole Shelley is an English actress. Among her many stage roles are the character of Madame Morrible in the original Broadway cast of the musical Wicked.-Life and career:...
|
|
| Best Direction of a Musical This is a list of winners and nominations for the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical. Prior to 1960, category for direction included plays and musicals.-1950s:Note: this category was for both dramatic and musical productions...
|
Stephen Daldry Stephen David Daldry, CBE is an English theatre and film director and producer, as well as a three-time Academy Award nominated and Tony Award winning director.-Early years:...
|
|
| Best Choreography -1940s:* 1947: Agnes de Mille – Brigadoon / Michael Kidd – Finian's Rainbow* 1948: Jerome Robbins – High Button Shoes* 1949: Gower Champion – Lend An Ear-1950s:* 1950: Helen Tamiris – Touch and Go* 1951: Michael Kidd – Guys and Dolls...
|
Peter Darling Peter Darling is an English dancer and choreographer best known for his award-winning work in Billy Elliot the Musical.-External links:...
|
|
| Best Orchestrations -1990s:1997*Jonathan Tunick – Titanic**Michael Gibson - Steel Pier**Luther Henderson - Play On!**Don Sebesky and Harold Wheeler - The Life1998*William David Brohn – Ragtime**Robert Elhai, David Metzger and Bruce Fowler - The Lion King...
|
Martin Koch Martin Koch is a British music supervisor, orchestrator, conductor, and composer who won the 2009 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Orchestrations and was a co-winner of the 2009 Tony Award for Best Orchestrations for Billy Elliot the Musical, sharing the honor with Michael Starobin and Tom Kitt of...
|
|
| Best Scenic Design |
Ian McNeil |
|
| Best Costume Design These are the winners and nominees for the Tony Award for Best Costume Design. The award was first presented in 1947 and included both plays and musicals...
|
Nicky Gillibrand Nicky Gillibrand is a theatrical costume designer who was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Costume Design for Billy Elliot the Musical. She won the Gold Medal for Costume Design at the 2003 Prague Quadrenale for the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of A Midsummer Night's DreamGillibrand...
|
|
| Best Lighting Design This is a list of the winners of the Tony Award for Best Lighting Design in a play or musical, first presented in 1970. In 2005 the category was divided with each genre represented separately.-1970s:* 1970: Jo Mielziner – Child's Play...
|
Rick Fisher Rick Fisher is a lighting designer, known for his work with Stephen Daldry on Billy Elliot the Musical and An Inspector Calls. He is from Philadelphia and attended Dickinson College, but has been based in the UK for the last 30 years....
|
|
| Best Sound Design The first Tony Award for "Best Sound Design of a Play" and "Best Sound Design of a Musical" was given in the 2007-2008 season.-2000s:*2008: Mic Pool – The 39 Steps**Simon Baker – Boeing-Boeing**Adam Cork – Macbeth...
|
Paul Arditti Paul Arditti is a theatre sound designer, working mainly in the UK and the US. He specialises in designing sound scores for plays and sound systems for musicals. He has won awards for his work in both categories, including the 2006 Olivier Award for Billy Elliot the Musical...
|
|
Original Korean production
| Year |
Award Ceremony |
Category |
Nominee |
Result |
| 2010 |
Korean Musical Award |
Best Foreign Musical |
|
| Best New Actor |
Se-yong Kim |
rowspan="4" |
| Ji-myung Lee |
| Jin-ho Jung |
| Sunu Lim |
| Best Supporting Actress |
Young-joo Chung |
|
External links