BILLY ELLIOT Rises and Shines in Boston

Based on the Universal Pictures/Studio Canal Film; music by Elton John; book and lyrics by Lee Hall; director, Stephen Daldry; touring associate director, Justin Martin; choreographer, Peter Darling; touring associate choreographer, Kathryn Dunn; set design, Ian MacNeil; costume design, Nicky Gillibrand; lighting design, Rick Fisher; sound design, Paul Arditti; musical supervision and orchestrations, Martin Koch; tour music supervision, David Chase

Cast:
Billy, Kylend Hetherington (press performance), alternates with Ben Cook, Zach Manske, and Noah Parets; Mrs. Wilkinson, Janet Dickinson; Dad, Rich Hebert; Grandma, Patti Perkins; Tony, Cullen R. Titmas; George, Joel Blum; Michael, Cameron Clifford (press performance), alternates with, Ethan Major; Debbie, Samantha Blaire Cutler; Small Boy, Cal Alexander; Big Davey, Mitch Poulos; Lesley, Sasha Ely-Judkins; Scab/Posh Dad, Tim Funnell; Mum, Kat Hennessey; Mr. Braithwaite, Job Christenson; Tracey Atkinson, Regan Mason Haley; Older Billy/Scottish Dancer, Maximilien A. Baud; Mr. Wilkinson, Joel Newsome; Pit Official, David Light; Postman, Damien Brett; Tall Boy/Posh Boy, Ethan Major (press performance), alternates with Cameron Clifford; Accordion Specialty, Job Christenson; Clipboard Woman, Cara Kjellman

Performances and Tickets:
Presented by Lexus Broadway in Boston now through August 19, Boston Opera House, 539 Washington Street, Boston. Tickets start at $33 and are available at the Opera House Box Office, through Ticketmaster at 1-800-982-2787, or online at www.BroadwayinBoston.com.

The national tour of Billy Elliot, the exhilarating Tony Award-winning musical now at the Opera House in Boston through August 19, is a splendid example of how a hit Broadway show should take to the road. With Stephen Daldry’s potent direction and Peter Darling’s evocative choreography still in tact, this production is every bit as moving as the original – even better in several instances. A scaled-down set, free of anachronistic hydraulics and oversized flown in fantasy props, puts the focus right where it belongs: on the clash between striking British coal miners and their hostile government and a young boy’s gift for ballet that lifts their hopes and inspires solidarity in support of his dreams.

Jan Nargi is owner and creative director of JMN Publications, a marketing and public relations firm based in Boston, Mass. She provides consultation, communications, and writing services to clients in the health care, entertainment, financial, retail, manufacturing, non-profit, and sports industries. As a freelance writer, Jan has had hundreds of articles published in business and high-tech magazines. Theatrically, she has reviewed, written, directed, acted, produced, sung, danced, managed publicity, pounded nails, and designed lighting and sets. Jan has even acted in the occasional B-movie, playing a zombie, a psycho shrink, and a clueless news reporter. You may visit her on the web at www.jmnpublications.com.

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