Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title and Old Vic Productions in association with Weinstein Live Entertainment announced today that David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish will create the title role in the multi-award winning Billy Elliot the Musical opening at Broadway’s Imperial Theatre (240 W 45th St) Thursday, November 13th. Featuring music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall and directed by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot the Musical begins previews Wednesday, October 1st. Tickets will go on-sale to American Express card-holders Wednesday, April 23rd; the general public on-sale is Sunday, June 15th. For tickets and information visit billyelliotbroadway.com.
DAVID ALVAREZ, 13, was born in Montreal and lives in New York City. He began dancing when he was 8 and is in his second year on scholarship with ABT,appearing with them in productions at the Metropolitan Opera House and The Kennedy Center. Also training in classical piano, David was chosen one of this year’s “Top 10 Ballet Teens to Watch” by Dance Sprit magazine. TRENT KOWALIK, 13, is from Wantagh, New York. He started dance lessons at age 3½ at Dorothy's School of Dance in Bellmore, NY and in April 2006, he became the youngest American male ever to win The World Irish Dancing Championship in Belfast, Northern Ireland. In December 2007 Trent began playing the title role in the London production of Billy Elliot. KIRIL KULISH, 14, is from San Diego and began dancing at age 5. The youngest member ever admitted to the San Diego Academy of Ballet’s junior company, Kiril has performed with them for eight years. Equally accomplished in classical piano and Latin and ballroom dancing, he has won numerous awards in all the disciplines.
The three boys were chosen after a year-long national talent search that drew over 1500 hopefuls from all over the country. Auditions were held in 8 cities and all three of the Broadway Billys were first spotted at open calls (David and Trent in New York, Kiril in LA). They, along with twelve other finalists, underwent a grueling eight day callback last summer in New York City during which director Daldry and choreographer Darling worked with them extensively.
The part of Billy Elliot is unlike any other in the history of musical theatre, requiring a remarkable range of talents: ballet, tap, street dance, singing, acting, dialect and gymnastics. Further, the role is the largest child's role in musical theatre and one of the largest roles of any age. The young actor playing it is on-stage for 2 ½ hours performing six musical numbers; it is the role’s sheer size and the stamina required that necessitates this unique triple-casting.
BIOS
DAVID ALVAREZ
Hi, my name is David Alvarez. I was born in Montreal, Canada on May 11, 1994. My parents are from Cuba. I now live in New York City with my parents and my younger sister. I also have a big sister, who is studying in Canada. I began dancing when I was eight years old in a small school in Montreal. I started taking dancing more seriously when I was nine, and my family and I moved to San Diego, California, where my father was relocated. Two years later I was offered a full merit scholarship to continue my classical ballet training at the American Ballet Theater’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. I have been training at ABT for two years now. In classical ballet, I’m proudest of dancing with ABT the role of the Garland Boy in The Sleeping Beauty (Metropolitan Opera House, NYC, June 2007), the role of The Nutcracker’s Fritz (Kennedy Center Opera House, Washington DC, December 2007), as well as a male variation of The Flower Festival of Genzano at the ABT’s JKO School Spring Performance (The Ailey Citigroup Theater, NYC, March 2008).
I also play the piano and have been training at the 92nd Street Y School of Music in classical piano for two years. Last year, I was awarded the Racanati-Kaplan merit full scholarship to continue my training in piano at this school. It was also at this school where I had my debut as a singer, when I sang “Where is Love” from Oliver! for Victoria Clark.
As part of my preparation for the role of Billy Elliot, I started learning tap, acrobatics, singing, acting as well as talking as a northeastern English boy. The funny thing about this is that I never in my life took tap, acrobatics, singing or acting classes. I have had to take all for Billy Elliot!
My special thanks to my parents and my two sisters who’ve supported me throughout this wonderful and unique experience.
TRENT KOWALIK
Hi. My name is Trent Kowalik. I am 13 years old and live in New York with my mom, dad, and my three sisters. I've been performing my entire life. In fact, my parents believe I was dancing before I was even born. I was delivered with a knot in my umbilical cord, probably because of all my leaping around!
At age three, I started my formal dance training with tap and ballet and at age four, I began Irish step dancing lessons. I focused on competition, and, in 2006, I became the youngest American male to win the World Irish Dancing Championship at age 11.
Acting and singing always fascinated me. But, when the opportunity to audition for Billy Elliot came my way, I knew for sure I wanted to do musical theatre. Little did I know it would take me halfway around the world! I moved to England and began rehearsing while living in the 'Billy house' with other kids from the cast.
I had my debut performance as “Billy” in London's West End in December 2007, with lots of family coming "across the pond" just for the occasion!
It has really been incredible performing in the West End. It's an interesting situation being an American boy playing the lead role in a British musical, and being so far away from home. (Learning a new dialect for the role has been my secret to understanding British sayings). My offstage experience has been just as fantastic. I have made so many lifelong friends in the cast and experienced a different culture I would never have explored.
There's so much fan support for Billy. It was overwhelming at first, but now it feels so good to hear how much they enjoyed it. I really want to make people happy through my performances, and it's cool to interact with all the fans all over the world.
It will be amazing to play Billy in my hometown on Broadway. (My friends will finally be able to see me in the show!) I have always been inspired by the plays, the actors, and the big lights on Broadway.
I would like to thank my family, friends and dance teachers who helped me find my “electricity.” Getting this part is a dream come true!
KIRIL KULISH
Hi my name is Kiril Kulish. I am 14 years old and live in San Diego, CA where I was born and grew up. My sister taught me to dance when I was only 3 years old and saw the potential in me when I was able to follow all the steps to a choreography routine she was working on in college.
From the moment I started dancing I loved it – especially ballet. Also the fact that I come from a very musical family and take piano lessons from my mother has helped me a lot with my musicality.
From the age of 5 I started to train seriously and I started winning in ballet and ballroom dance. By age 12 I received the Grand Prix at the Ballet competition YAGP (Youth America Grand Prix Competition) and became a US Champion in ballroom dance. Most of my friends in my ballet company were unaware that I was a ballroom dancer and a pianist. Later on I had the honor of being invited to dance and perform with ABT American Ballet Theater in 8 Gala Concerts in Mexico City in The Palazio de Bellas Artes.
I also like to play with my friends, especially football, soccer, skateboarding, tennis and basketball.
I always knew that I would be dancing ballet as well as ballroom dance and playing the piano, and acting. If I was made to choose, I would choose everything because I certainly love everything that I do.
Having the opportunity to play Billy on Broadway is really meaningful to me. I really appreciate this incredible opportunity to play such an important role and hopefully will leave a mark on this show!
I would like to thank my wonderful family and my amazing dance teachers who helped me develop my skills. Getting this part is a wonderful step to hopefully performing for the rest of my life.
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