LONDON’S SMASH-HIT MUSICAL IS COMING TO
BROADWAY IN FALL 2008
AND THE STAR SEARCH BEGINS NOW

[New York; Monday, November 6, 2006] -- Universal Pictures, Working Title and Old Vic Productions announced today that they will be holding open auditions to find boys for the upcoming Broadway production of BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL.  They are looking for boys, ages ten through thirteen, to play the roles of ‘Billy’ and ‘Michael.’

Now in its second smash year in London, after garnering an extraordinary nine 2005 Olivier Award Nominations—including a win for Best New Musical, BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL is scheduled to open on Broadway in the Fall of 2008.

Based on the wildly successful feature film that captured hearts and minds worldwide, BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL is the funny, heartwarming tale of a young boy with a dream, and a feel-good celebration of his triumph against the odds.  Baz Bamigboye of The Daily Mail calls BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL “a theatrical masterpiece!”

Bringing the production to the Broadway stage is the original London creative team of Stephen Daldry (director), Elton John (music) and Lee Hall (book and lyrics).  Mr. Daldry and Mr. Hall were also the creative team behind the film.

BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL features choreography by Peter Darling, scenic design by Ian MacNeil, costume design by Nicky Gillibrand, lighting design by Rick Fisher and sound design by Paul Arditti.

BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL is produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Jon Finn and Sally Greene.  Angela Morrison and David Furnish are Executive Producers.

Children's Casting Director: Nora Brennan Casting

Audition requirements are as follows:

• All boys must be able to dance, sing and act.
• The maximum height is 5’.
• All boys must bring: a recent photo, sneakers (and tap and ballet shoes if possible), plenty to drink, lots of energy and comfortable clothes (no leotards or tights).
• There is no need to prepare audition pieces.  All necessary material will be taught.

BIOGRAPHIES

UNIVERSAL PICTURES is a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi.

WORKING TITLE has been co-chaired by Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner since 1992. Between them, the pair has produced 80 feature films which have amassed more than $3.5 billion worldwide. The company's commercial and critical hits include The Interpreter; About a Boy; Notting Hill; Elizabeth; Fargo; Dead Man Walking; Bean; High Fidelity; Johnny English; Billy Elliot; Four Weddings and a Funeral; Bridget Jones's Diary; Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason; O Brother, Where Art Thou?; Love Actually; Shaun Of The Dead; Pride & Prejudice; Nanny McPhee; and United 93. Forthcoming releases include Joe Carnahan's Smokin' Aces; Shekhar Kapur's The Golden Age; Joe Wright's Atonement; Edgar Wright’s Hot Fuzz; Steve Bendelack's Mr Bean's Holiday; and Adam Brooks’ Definitely Maybe.

OLD VIC PRODUCTIONS was launched in 1993 by Sally Greene.  The company’s initial production was the Olivier Award nominated Jack starring Nicol Williamson.  This was followed by Ronald Harwood’s acclaimed Taking Sides and Harold Pinter’s The Hothouse. The company has produced, co-produced and collaborated on over 70 productions in the West End and beyond.  Productions include Cyrano de Bergerac with Antony Sher; The Reduced Shakespeare Company; The Weir; Dublin Carol; Speed-the-Plow; Antigone, Dolly West’s Kitchen, The Car Man, Servant of Two Masters, Far Away, Medea, Life x 3, Port Authority, The Island, The Vagina Monologues, Benefactors, Elaine Stritch At Liberty, Macbeth, Sexual Perversity in Chicago with Matthew Perry and Minnie Driver and Hamlet directed by Trevor Nunn.  Old Vic Productions is a major partner in Kevin Spacey’s theatre company that is resident at the Old Vic Theatre.  Old Vic Productions (Film) Limited has been recently launched to develop and invest in new British films.  Its first title is the film Ruby Blue starring Bob Hoskins.

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