Billy Elliot Kids

[Myron]

Posted: 6/8/09 at 10:06am

That "Billy Elliot" dance number presented was superb. Which one of the boys performed that? Why didn't the producers allow the other 2 boys to perform rather than rely on just 1 kid? I forgot why 3 kids are used. Is this the first time that 3 people have won the Tony for the same role at the same time? Are 3 Billy's used to show different stages in Billy's career? I haven't yet seen the show or the film.

[webcomix]

Posted: 6/8/09 at 10:14am

Trent was the one performing. Although I enjoyed the performance, I was also a bit disappointed not to see more of Kiril and David. After all, Trent also got to fly in the opening number....

But I also believe that Trent is the best at tap, so I'm not surprised they chose him to do that song.

[willep]

Posted: 6/8/09 at 10:30am

To answer your other question, the three kids rotate through the role of Billy, it is such a demanding role that they cannot have one kid play the role every day, so they take turns and each do a couple performances a week.

[Myron]

Posted: 6/8/09 at 11:01am

Thanks for the info. I was under the mis-apprehension that all 3 of these talented kids was at every performance . So they never perform on the same show. I had thought that 1 did the first part, while another did the next part, etc. How do fans know which kid will perform for a show if tickets are purchased in advance?

[Tom1071]

Posted: 6/8/09 at 2:18pm

They don't know. The rotation isn't made available to the public. You get who you get.

I was thinking about how people will now get all up in arms when they go see Billy Elliot and the 4th Billy is on that was added a few months ago who wasn't eligible for the Tony because he wasn't part of the company when the show opened. He still does 2 shows a week.
Updated On: 6/8/09 at 02:18 PM

[beltingbaritone]

Posted: 6/8/09 at 2:20pm

There's a 4th Billy? What? I am so out of the Billy loop it's not even funny.

[sgv123]

Posted: 6/8/09 at 2:23pm

^ Yes, Tommy Bachelor (sp.)is the 4th Billy. He was the u/s, but is now in the rotation. There was a 5th Billy (replacement), but just had his last performance.

[beltingbaritone]

Posted: 6/8/09 at 2:24pm

Wow. Why the additions?

[Byron Abens]

Posted: 6/8/09 at 5:45pm

Because you are dealing with cast members right on the verge of puberty. So you have to hedge your bets and make sure you don't get stuck with a boy who wakes up one morning with a cracking voice and who suddenly grows two inches in a matter of a week.