BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL ELECTRIFIES CHARLOTTE - Tickets On Sale Friday, Sept 24

2009 TONY AWARD-WINNING BEST MUSICAL
BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL
TIME MAGAZINE’S “BEST MUSICAL OF THE DECADE”
ELECTRIFIES CHARLOTTE JANUARY 12-30

Charlotte, NC — Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions bring the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Billy Elliot the Musical to Charlotte from January 12-30. Based on the international smash-hit film and featuring music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot the Musical has earned critical acclaim on Broadway including 10 Tony Awards.
Single tickets go on sale Friday, Sept. 24, from 7-9 a.m. at the Belk Theater Box Office only. Tickets will be available at 704-372-1000 and BlumenthalCenter.org, starting at 9 a.m. (Also at Bojangles Coliseum box office and Ticketmaster.com) Single tickets begin at $30. Tickets are available now through a Duke Energy Broadway Lights season subscription (starting as low as $168.50) or a Center Sampler. Details: BlumenthalCenter.org/Broadway; BlumenthalCenter.org/Sampler; 704-335-1010.

SEE THE MOVIE FOR FREE
Tuesday, Sept. 21, 7 p.m. McGlohon Theatre at Spirit Square, 345 N. College St.

See a free showing of “Billy Elliot,” the 2000 movie that inspired the musical! The first 20 people will receive a free Billy Elliot the Musical goody bag. Free popcorn and soft drinks. Expect special prize giveaways and contests!

JOIN THE BILLY ELLIOT ON-SALE FESTIVITIES
Join us for special Billy Elliot the Musical On-Sale Festivities at the Belk Theater Box Office, 130 N. Tryon St., featuring K104.7 and Wilson’s World from FOX News Rising.  The first 100 ticket-buyers receive a Billy Elliot the Musical goody bag loaded with special discounts for upcoming shows. The event features great giveaways and prizes, FREE breakfast and a chance to help your community! 

DONATE TO FOOD DRIVE AND WIN!
Donate four cans of food, or cash, to Second Harvest Food Bank during the on-sale event at the box office. Donors will be entered into a drawing for a $500 US Airways gift card and two FREE tickets to opening night of Billy Elliot the Musical and an  invitation to the exclusive Opening Night Cast Party.

ABOUT THE SHOW
Billy Elliot the Musical, winner of 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical, is the joyous and exciting celebration of one boy’s triumph against the odds.  The story follows Billy’s journey as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class and discovers his dream to dance.  Full of life, laughter, award-winning choreography and unforgettable music, this uplifting show will stay with you forever.  Based on the international smash-hit film, Billy Elliot the Musical is brought to life by the Tony-winning creative team – director Stephen Daldry, choreographer Peter Darling and writer Lee Hall – along with music legend Elton John, who has written what the New York Post calls “His Best Score Yet!”
Casting for the second national tour of Billy Elliot the Musical features Tony Award-winner Faith Prince as Mrs. Wilkinson along with Giuseppe Bausilio, Michael Dameski, Kylend Hetherington, Lex Ishimoto and Daniel Russell in the role of ‘Billy.’
Also featured in the second national tour of Billy Elliot the Musical are Rich Hebert (Dad); Patti Perkins (Grandma); Jeff Kready (Tony); Joel Blum (George); Griffin Birney and Jacob Zelonky (Michael); and Rachel Mracna (Debbie).
Ben Brantley of the New York Times says that Billy Elliot “Sends audiences into a mass swoon!”  Time Out says it’s “The most electric and passionate show in years.”  The Daily News calls Billy “So exhilarating that you feel like leaping!” Liz Smith calls the show “Absolutely awesome,” The New York Observer raves that Billy is “The best thing to happen to Broadway in a long while,” and WOR’s Dave Richardson cheers, “All I can say is WOW!
The show is produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Jon Finn and Sally Greene. Angela Morrison and David Furnish are Executive Producers. The production features scenic design by Ian MacNeil, the associate director is Julian Webber, costume design by Nicky Gillibrand, lighting design by Rick Fisher and sound design by Paul Arditti. Musical supervision and orchestrations are by Martin Koch.
Additional information about Billy Elliot the Musical is available at www.billyelliotthemusical.com
Billy Elliot the Musical will play January 12-30 at Ovens Auditorium.  Performance times are Tuesday through Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday & Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 7 p.m. and matinees on Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m.  Billy Elliot the Musical is a part of the Duke Energy Broadway Lights Series.  Subscriptions are available to the Duke Energy Broadway Lights Series at 704-335-1010 or BlumenthalCenter.org /broadway.
Editor’s Note: High resolution photos are available for use with this release. Interviews with certain cast and creative team members are also available. Additional bios are available upon request. Contact Danny Knaub at 704-348-5814 or dknaub@blumenthalcenter.org  for photographs and interview requests.
For full press release, please click PDF below.