Broadway
Billy Elliot the Musical won the 2009 Tony Award for Best Musical. It also won nine other Tony’s. It was a mainstay at the Imperial Theatre on Broadway for over three years and 1352 performances (including 40 previews). While the show has closed on Broadway (as of 8-Jan-2012), many have fond memories of seeing the show there. Most were amazed at the talented cast, especially the younger actors/dancers who made up about half of the total cast. And few would disagree that a major reason for the success of the show were the extremely talented young men who played the title role.
______________________________________
Broadway Milestones
_____________________________________
In the days leading to the Opening Night at the Imperial Theatre, the three original Broadway Billys (David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish) did an excellent job of promoting the show. Making the rounds of many print and TV media outlets in New York and around the country, their obvious talent, charm and charisma was in large part responsible for the considerable hype created for the opening of the show on the Great White Way. Here is an excellent example of that as the boys appeared in the Fall of 2008 on the popular NBC morning show Today performing to the show’s signature song Electricity in an amazing display of grace and sychronized dancing:
Credit: Video by frankhp11
_____________________________________
After 40 previews which began on October 1, 2008, Trent Kowalik had the honor of being Billy on Opening Night (November 13, 2008). At the conclusion of that first “official” show of what would be 1312 performances over more than three years, Elton John joined all three Billys and the rest of the original cast of the show in a bow at the curtain call…
___________________________________________________
Seven months later, on the evening of June 7, 2009, the show, which had been nominated for a record 15 Tony Awards, won 10. Among the winners from the show were its original Billys: Kiril Kulish, David Alvarez and Trent Kowalik, in a historic joint win for Best Actor in a Musical. Here’s a video clip of them receiving that award:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktFBjjVepLI&feature=share&list=PL9220BF7DC1372E90
Credit: Video by RickeyTVX
____________________________________________________
BETM Broadway celebrated its first anniversary with a cake. About to cut it were Director Stephen Daldry (center) and six Billys (l-r Dayton Tavares, Alex Ko, Trent Kowalik, David Alvarez, Liam Redhead and Tommy Batchelor)
_______________________________________________________
On November 15, 2011, the cast of BETM Broadway celebrated the show’s 3rd Anniversary on the Great White Way. Present to do a reprise of their pre-opening Electricity promotional dance were original Broadway Billys Trent Kowalik, David Alvarez and Kiril Kulish.
Credit: Photo by Monica Simoes
_______________________________________________________________
At the 3rd Anniversary after party, held at Sardi’s, the original Broadway Billys celebrated with what would be Broadway’s final four Billys and Director Stephen Daldry.
Credit: Photo by David Gordon
__________________________________________________________________________________
On December 5 & 6, 2011, past and current cast members of BETM Broadway got together to do a final presentation at the annual Gypsy of the Year show — Billy Elliot’s third and final appearance in that show. The presentation was outstanding, resulting in it being named the Gypsy of the Year for Best Presentation. Included in those cast members participating were nine former and current Broadway Billys:
___________________________________________________________
On January 8, 2012 past and current cast took a final bow as the show closed after a total of 1352 performances…
___________________________________________
The Imperial Theatre
Home of Billy Elliot the Musical – Broadway, NYC
October 1, 2008 to January 8, 2012
For: 40 Previews, 1312 “Official” Shows, 1352 Total Shows
__________________________________________________
To Main Bily Alphabetical Profile Index Article
To learn more about the London Billys, click on the Billy Profiles button (below) to be taken to their detailed profiles.
To see a complete listing of the rest of the London cast, just click on the Cast Information button.
To A List of All Billy Elliot The Musical Articles at theskykid.com
Back to Billy Elliot Dances Around The World
 of the 16 boys who performed as Billy in the Broadway production have been preserved for posterity in this article.){kind=link}