Billy Elliot Sells Tickets, Wins 10 Tonys, Conquers World…
June 24, 2009
Billy Elliot proved its true worth in June 2009 when the production garnered 10 Tony Awards, much to the delight of those connected to it. The British musical is selling out all performances and the world is learning fast about the coal miner’s son who harbors ambitions to dance. It’s a long-deserved public justification that has Broadway tipping its hat. Recognition of this type is always welcome and it raises the spirits of an entire production’s cast, so expect Billy Elliot to get even better! Winning 10 Tonys is only the beginning, most people believe, as the show is tipped to go down in world theater history as one of the very best – a modern classic, no less. Among the awards Billy Elliot won were best musical and best actor, collected by the three youngsters who play Billy in this production.
The trio’s acceptance speech was a shy affair, which only served to endear audiences even more to them. David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish – the three young men who play the title character – acknowledged siblings and parents along with various mentors and influential cast and stage-set members. Kulish set the Radio City Music Hall crowd alight when he said to them, “We want to say to all the kids out there who might want to dance, ‘Never give up.’”
Billy Elliot’s eight other awards included director of a musical, book of a musical and choreography. Composer Elton John was surprisingly beaten to best score, though. That award went to “Next to Normal” – another fast-rising production that is tipped to pull in some serious crowds this year. In fact, the Broadway scene is becoming enriched all the time, with West Side Story tickets and God of Carnage tickets making the news recently. But Billy Elliot tickets are the king of the moment, and who would deny this awesome production its moment in the Broadway limelight?