Director Stephen Daldry Introduces Chicago’s Billy Ellott’s

Broadway In Chicago, with Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Weinstein Live Entertainment, announced today that Tommy Batchelor, Giuseppe Bausilio and Cesar Corrales will star as ‘Billy’ in the Chicago production of the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Billy Elliot the Musical. Featuring music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry, the production will begin an extended run on March 18, 2010 at Chicago’s Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre (24 W. RandolphSt.) before embarking on a multi-city tour.

Tommy Batchelor, 14, is currently playing ‘Billy’ on Broadway in rotation with David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish. Tommy is a native of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and made his Broadway debut in the role of ‘Billy.’ He started his training at age four at Dance Factory inMinnesota and has starred in Miami City Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker as well has having competed nationally in the prestigious Youth America Grand Prix.

Giuseppe Bausilio, 12, was born in the Swisscapital of Bern and began his ballet training at age 4. He has performed with the State Theatre of Bern in Coppelia, as well as in the operas Mazzepa and Falstaff, among other roles. Giuseppe has won numerous awards for competitions in the US and Europe.

Cesar Corrales,13, was born in Mexico before moving to Montreal with his family. At age 4 he performed with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in Madama Butterfly. Among his other credits, Cesar placed first at the Coupe Quebec gymnastics competition in 2008, the same year he joined Canada’s National Ballet School. More than 1,500 boys auditioned for the role of‘Billy.”

Billy Elliot the Musical opened on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre 240 West 45th Street) on November 13, 2008 to critical acclaim. Billy Elliot was the winner of ten 2009 Tony Awards including: Best Musical; Best Bookof a Musical (Lee Hall); 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); Best Direction of a Musical (Stephen Daldry); 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 SoundDesign of a Musical (Paul Arditti).

The production was the recipient of a total of 35 awards including being named Best Musical by the New York Drama Critics Circle, Drama Desk,Drama League and Outer Critics Circle.

Billy Elliot the Musical is the funny, heartwarming tale of a young boy with a dream, and a celebration of his triumph against the odds. Set against the historic British miners’ strike of the 1980s, the story follows Billy’s journey as a boy in a small mining town who, after stumbling across a ballet class while on his way to a boxing lesson, realizes that his future lay not in the boxing ring but on stage as a dancer.

Billy Elliot the Musical is produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Jon Finn andSally Greene. Angela Morrison and David Furnish are Executive Producers. The production features scenic design by Ian MacNeil,costume design by Nicky Gillibrand, lighting design by Rick Fisher and sound design by Paul Arditti. Musical supervision and orchestrations are by Martin Koch.

Ticketsto Billy Elliot the Musical at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts,Oriental Theatre are currently on sale to groups of 15 or more bycalling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710. The 2010Broadway In Chicago Season Series includes Billy Elliot. Season ticketpackages for the 2010 Season Series will go on sale Sunday, September13, 2009 at 10 a.m. and will be available for purchase by calling theSeason Ticket Hotline at (312) 977-1717 or atwww.BroadwayInChicago.com. Single tickets will go on sale to the  general public in November 2009, and range in price from $28-$100. A limited number of premium seats will also be available. For more information, please visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

For information on Billy Elliot the Musical, please visit www.BillyElliotTheMusical.com or www.BroadwayInChicago.com

TOMMYBATCHELOR (Billy). Hi! My name is Tommy Batchelor. I am 14 years old and from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. I made my Broadway debut as ‘Billy.’ Watching Gregory Hines and Fred Astaire movies lead to myearly interest in dance. At  four, I started dance training at Dance Factory in Minnesota. Most of my training has been at Palm Beach Ballet Center and Palm Beach Public Schools of the Arts (U.B. Kinsey and MSOA). Other favorite dance experiences include Miami City Ballet’s The Nutcracker (The Prince/ Nutcracker, 2006 at the Kravis Center), and YAGP competition (finals, 2008). I wanted to be on Broadway for as long as I can remember. My dance teacher, Ms. Jane Beck, always told me that I would make it on Broadway by 18. I guess I opened a few years early. I’m so excited to continue to be a part of the Billy Elliot family!

GIUSEPPE BAUSILIO (Billy) Hi there – my name is Giuseppe Bausilio. I’m 12 yearsold and am from Bern, Switzerland. Both my parents are ballet dancers and my brother too! I started doing ballet for fun, but it has become my passion. I’ve also trained in other styles of dance including jazz,flamenco, hip hop, tap and others. I’ve competed in a lot of different dance competitions in Switzerland, France and the United States including the Youth America Grand Prix in New York. I’ve performed in Coppelia at the State Theatre of Bern and also in the operas Mazzepa and Falstaff. In my free time I love to study languages (I speak five), read, listen to music, play football, ride my bike and cook. I can’t believe I get to be Billy – it’s a dream come true!

CESAR CORRALES (Billy). Hello, my name is Cesar Corrales, I’m 13 years old and I can’t wait to be Billy! I was born in Mexico, but currently live in Montreal with my parents, who are also dancers, where I have been studying at Canada’s National Ballet School. I’ve performed with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in Madama Butterly and Anna Karenina and I’veperformed in The Nutcracker at both the National Ballet of Canada and Les Grands Ballet Canadiens. I’m a member of the IMCO gymnastics club and have participated in numerous competitions, including winning firstplace at the Coupe Quebec. I’ve even gotten to be in a movie (Shall WeDance with Jennifer Lopez)! Besides dancing, I also love playing sports, doing gymnastics and travelling with my family.