Note: Christian’s final show as Billy in the Italian Tour production of BETM was on 29-Apr-2017.
Debut: May 5, 2015 as Michael (Rome, Italy) and November 7, 2015 as Billy (Florence, Italy)
Total Performances as Billy: 11.5 (Includes one partial show credited @ .5)
Christian Roberto was born in Messina in the Italian province of Sicily, where he lives with his mother Adrianna and his father Giancarlo. Christian was 13-years-old (D.O.B. = December 26, 2001) when he debuted as Billy Elliot on the stage of the Teatro Verdi in Florence. At his debut, he became the third Italian boy and 114th young actor in the world to professionally play the role.
Besides performing, Christian lists football, listening to music, spending time with friends, drawing, academics and playing video games as his main interests. Christian’s performance training has included vocal, acting and dance (Modern Jazz, Classical, Hip Hop, Ballroom Dancing-Latin-Smooth).
His film credits include The True Story of Mamma Lucia (2015) and Grotto (2015), and the TV series Kiss the Hands: Palermo-New York 1958 (2013).
Prior stage experience includes Beauty and the Beast (Teatro Brancaccio Rome) in 2009.
At a young age, Christian admired Michael Jackson as a performer and has often performed as “Little Michael Jackson” at various venues around the country. In 2010, on the TV show, Italy’s Got Talent at which he reached the semi-finals, Christian emulated Jackson’s dance style with this performance:
Credit: cleptomania roberto
In May of 2015, Christian originated the role of Michael in the Il Sistina, Rome production of BETM, and he played that role in the show until the end of the 2016 tour.
But, at the same time, he had been preparing to play Billy and, as of 7-Nov-2015, he fulfilled his goal of playing the title role in the show. From then on he alternated as Billy with Alessandro Frola.
On his birthday (26-Dec-2016), Christian won an Italian Musical Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for his work on BETM, beating out some very stiff competition from much older, very talented actors in the process. Appropriately it was a memorable birthday present for him, as his work on BETM has been a gift to all who’ve had the opportunity to see his portrayals of Michael and Billy in the show. Here’s a video clip of Christian receiving the award:
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For more information about Christian visit:
Billy Elliot the Forum, Christian’s Facebook Page
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