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.
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Broadway Milestones
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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
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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…
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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:
Credit: Video by RickeyTVX
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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)
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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
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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
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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:
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On January 8, 2012 past and current cast took a final bow as the show closed after a total of 1352 performances…
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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
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To A List of All Billy Elliot The Musical Articles at theskykid.com
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 of the 16 boys who performed as Billy in the Broadway production have been preserved for posterity in this article.){kind=link}