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Broadway In Chicago has announced that the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Billy Elliot the Musical will launch a U.S. national tour with an extended run in Chicago in the spring of 2010. Featuring music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry, performances will begin March 2010 at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre (24 West Randolph, Chicago).
"On behalf of my fellow producers and the entire production team, I am delighted to confirm that the national tour for Billy Elliot the Musical will begin in Chicago in the spring of 2010. The three and a half year run of Wicked paved the way for us to consider Chicago for an extended production. We could not have asked for a warmer or more welcoming reception than that which we've received on Broadway, however in our short time in your city we feel we've found Billy Elliot a perfect new home," said Eric Fellner, a producer of the show.
"Chicago has always been one of my favorite cities to play," composer Elton John said. "And it is my distinct pleasure to share this show that I love so much with a city that has always been very kind to me."
Billy Elliot the Musical opened on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre (240 West 45th Street) on November 13, 2008 to critical acclaim. Billy Elliot was the winner of ten 2009 Tony Awards including:
- Best Musical
- Best Book of a Musical (Lee Hall)
- Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, Kiril Kulish)
- Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (Gregory Jbara)
- Best Direction of a Musical (Stephen Daldry)
- Best Choreography (Peter Darling)
- Best Orchestrations (Martin Koch)
- Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Ian MacNeil)
- Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Rick Fisher)
- Best Sound Design of a Musical (Paul Arditti)
The production was the recipient of a total of 35 awards including being named Best Musical by the New York Drama Critics Circle, Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critics Circle.
Billy Elliot the Musical is the funny, heartwarming tale of a young boy with a dream, and a celebration of his triumph against the odds. Set against the historic British miners' strike of the 1980s, the story follows Billy's journey as a boy in a small mining town who, after stumbling across a ballet class while on his way to a boxing lesson, realizes that his future lay not in the boxing ring but on stage as a dancer.
Tickets are currently on sale to groups of 20 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at 312-977-1710. The Broadway In Chicago 2010 spring/summer Subscription Series including Billy Elliot the Musical will go on sale in September 2009. Single tickets will go on sale to the general public in November 2009, and range in price from $28-$100. A limited number of premium seats will also be available.