Billy
Elliot the Musical is a musical based on the
2000 film Billy Elliot. The music is by Sir
Elton John, and book and lyrics are by Lee Hall (who
wrote the film's screenplay). The musical revolves
around motherless Billy, who trades boxing gloves
for ballet shoes. The story of his personal struggle
and fulfillment are balanced against a counter-story
of family and community strife caused by the
eighties' coal miners' strike in Northern England.
Hall's screenplay was inspired in part by A. J.
Cronin's novel, The Stars Look Down, and the
musical's opening song is an
The musical
opened in London's West End in 2005 and was
nominated for nine Laurence Olivier Awards, winning
four including Best New Musical. The success of
Billy Elliot the Musical has led to productions
in Australia and on Broadway.
The production
opened on Broadway at the Imperial Theater on 1
October 2008 in previews and officially on 13
November 2008. The London production's creative team
directed and designed the Broadway production The
title role was rotated among three young actors,
David Álvarez, Kiril Kulish and Trent Kowalik. On 10
February 2009, Tommy Batchelor played the role in
his Broadway Debut
