Photo Coverage: BILLY ELLIOT Opening Night Curtain Call

A hit in London and one of the most highly anticipated shows of the season, Billy Elliot officially opened at Broadway's Imperial Theatre last night, Thursday, November 13th.

With music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall and directed by Stephen Daldry, this joyful musical lit up Broadway as Elton John joined the cast for the Opening Night bows. BroadwayWorld's cameras caught the exciting moments as the curtain came down on a triumphant evening.

Directed by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot has played over 1,300 performances and recently celebrated its 3rd anniversary in London. Billy Elliot the Musical opened at London's Victoria Palace in May 2005 to unanimous critical acclaim. The production went on to sweep London's nine awards for Best Musical, including the Olivier, Evening Standard and Critics' Circle Theatre Awards. In London, Billy Elliot has now been seen by over 1.5 million people and has grossed over £65 million. The musical opened to equal acclaim at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney, Australia in December 2007. The two current productions have played to over 2.3 million people.

Billy Elliot will be played by David Alvarez, Kiril Kulish and Trent Kowalik. They will alternate performances during the Broadway run.

The roles of Billy's teacher, father, grandmother and brother are played respectively by: Haydn Gwynne, who created the role of dance teacher Mrs. Wilkinson in the show's original London cast, will make her Broadway debut recreating her Olivier-nominated performance; Gregory Jbara (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Victor/Victoria) will play Dad; Tony winner Carole Shelley (The Elephant Man, Wicked) will play Grandma; and Santino Fontana (Sunday in the Park with George revival) will play Tony.

Featured roles in the show include David Bologna and Frank Dolce alternating in the role of Billy's friend Michael, Stephen Hanna as Billy's Older Self, Joel Hatch as George, Leah Hocking as Mum, Thommie Retter as Mr. Braithwaite and Erin Whyland as Debbie.

The original Broadway company also features Juliette Allen Angelo, Tommy Batchelor,Kevin Bernard,Grady McLeod Bowman, Heather Burns, Maria Connelly, Samantha Czulada, Kyle DesChamps, Eboni Edwards, Brianna Fragomeni,Greg Graham, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Eric Gunhus, Meg Guzulescu, Izzy Hanson-Johnston, Keean Johnson, Aaron Kaburick,Donnie Kehr, Cara Kjellman,Kara Klein, David Koch, Jeff Kready, Stephanie Kurtzuba,David Larsen, Caroline London, Merle Louise, Marina Micalizzi, Mitch Michaliszyn, Matthew Mindler, Tessa Netting, Daniel Oreskes, Jayne Paterson, Liz Pearce, Corrieanne Stein, Jamie Torcellini, Grant Turner  and Casey Whyland.

The production 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. Musical supervision and orchestrations are by Martin Koch.

Billy Elliot the Musical is produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Jon Finn and Sally Greene. Angela Morrison and David Furnish are Executive Producers.

Billy Elliot is playing at the Imperial Theatre, 249 West 45th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10036. The running time is 2 hours 45 mins, with one intermission. Shows times are Tuesday through Saturday at 8pm, Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm, Sunday at 3pm. Beginning November 17: Tuesday at 7pm. Prices are $41.50 - $136.50. This show's schedule varies throughout 2008. For tickets and updated week-by-week schedule, visit Telecharge.com or call (212) 239-6200.

For more information visit BillyElliotBroadway.com.

Photos by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

Billy Elliot Opens at the Imperial Theatre

Leah Hocking, Trent Kowalik, Haydn Gwynne, Gregory Jbara and ensemble

Leah Hocking, Trent Kowalik, Haydn Gwynne, Gregory Jbara and ensemble

Leah Hocking, Trent Kowalik, Haydn Gwynne, Gregory Jbara and ensemble

Leah Hocking, Trent Kowalik, Haydn Gwynne, Gregory Jbara and ensemble

Leah Hocking, Trent Kowalik, Haydn Gwynne and Gregory Jbara

Trent Kowalik the Billy Elliot Ensemble

Trent Kowalik and the Billy Elliot Ensemble

Billy Elliot on Broadway!

Kiril Kulish, Trent Kowalik and David Alvarez

Kiril Kulish, Trent Kowalik and David Alvarez

Kiril Kulish, Trent Kowalik and David Alvarez

Kiril Kulish, Trent Kowalik and David Alvarez

Kiril Kulish, Trent Kowalik and David Alvarez

Kiril Kulish, Trent Kowalik and David Alvarez

Kiril Kulish, Trent Kowalik and David Alvarez

Kiril Kulish, Trent Kowalik and David Alvarez

Kiril Kulish, Trent Kowalik and David Alvarez

Kiril Kulish, Trent Kowalik and David Alvarez

Kiril Kulish, Trent Kowalik and David Alvarez

Kiril Kulish, Trent Kowalik and David Alvarez

The entire company of Billy Elliot

The entire company of Billy Elliot

Kiril Kulish, Trent Kowalik and David Alvarez

Elton John

Elton John

Kiril Kulish, Elton John, Trent Kowalik and David Alvarez

Kiril Kulish, Elton John, Trent Kowalik and David Alvarez

Kiril Kulish, Elton John, Trent Kowalik, David Alvarez Leah Hocking, Trent Kowalik, Haydn Gwynne, Gregory Jbara, Carole Shelley, Santino Fontana and the entire company

Kiril Kulish, Elton John, Trent Kowalik, David Alvarez Leah Hocking, Trent Kowalik, Haydn Gwynne, Gregory Jbara, Carole Shelley, Santino Fontana and the entire company

Kiril Kulish, Elton John, Trent Kowalik and David Alvarez

Kiril Kulish, Elton John, Trent Kowalik, David Alvarez and the entire company

Kiril Kulish, Elton John, Trent Kowalik, David Alvarez and the entire company

Kiril Kulish, Elton John, Trent Kowalik, David Alvarez and the entire company

Kiril Kulish, Elton John, Trent Kowalik and David Alvarez

Kiril Kulish, Elton John, Trent Kowalik and David Alvarez

Kiril Kulish, Elton John, Trent Kowalik, David Alvarez and the entire company

Kiril Kulish, Elton John, Trent Kowalik, David Alvarez and the entire company

The Cast of Billy Elliot

The curtain comes down on a thrilling night!