'Billy Elliot the Musical' comes to ASU Gammage


<p>Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions bring the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical "Billy Elliot the Musical" to ASU Gammage April 26-May 8.</p><separator></separator><p>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. Tickets are on sale now.</p><separator></separator><p>"Billy Elliot" is the joyous celebration of one boy’s journey to make his dreams come true.&nbsp;Set in a small town, the story follows Billy as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, discovering a surprising passion that inspires his family and his whole community.</p><separator></separator><p>In addition to the Tony Award for Best Musical, "Billy Elliot" received the award for Best Direction of a Musical (Stephen Daldry); Best Book of a Musical (Lee Hall); 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); 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).</p><separator></separator><p>The production has been awarded 73 national and international awards including ten Tony Awards, Best Musical by the New York Drama Critics Circle, Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critics Circle.</p><separator></separator><p>"Billy Elliot" is produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner 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. &nbsp;Nina Lannan and Devin Keudell of Nina Lannan Associates are the general managers for the North American productions.</p><separator></separator><p>Additional information about "Billy Elliot" is available at <a href="http://www.billyelliotthemusical.com">www.billyelliotthemusical.com</a>… are on sale now at asugammage.com or by calling 1.800.982.ARTS (2787). ASU Gammage is located on the main campus of Arizona State University in Tempe at Mill Avenue and Apache Boulevard. The PROGRESSIVE® Broadway Across America – Arizona series is presented by ASU Gammage, Broadway Across America and US Airways. U.S. Bank is the official bank sponsor of the PROGRESSIVE® Broadway Across America – Arizona series.</p><separator></separator><p><strong>About ASU Gammage</strong><br /> Located on the Tempe campus of Arizona State University, <a href="http://asugammage.com">ASU Gammage</a> is among the largest university-based presenters of performing arts in the world.&nbsp; ASU Gammage is the home theater of&nbsp;the PROGRESSIVE® Broadway Across America – Arizona and Beyond series.&nbsp; Its mission is connecting communities by providing artistic excellence and educational outreach to the public.&nbsp; ASU Gammage is an historic hall designed by internationally-renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright.&nbsp;</p><separator></separator><p><strong>About Broadway Across America<br /> </strong>Broadway Across America is owned and operated by British theater producer John Gore (CEO) and entertainment industry veteran Thomas B. McGrath (Chairman). Broadway Across America presents first-class touring Broadway musicals and plays, family productions and other live events throughout a network of 43 North American cities.&nbsp;Broadway Across America is also dedicated to the development and production of new and diverse live theater for productions on Broadway, across America and throughout the world. Broadway Across America most recently produced the Broadway productions of "Hair," "West Side Story" and Irving Berlin's "White Christmas." Upcoming productions include "Minsky's," "Promises, Promises," "Million Dollar Quartet" and the West End production of "Breakfast at Tiffany's." Touring productions include Nickelodeon's "Storytime Adventures" featuring Dora the Explorer and "Dreamgirls." For more information or to purchase tickets through an authorized agent go to <a href="http://BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com">BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com</a>.</p&gt;