BILLY ELLIOT Comes To The Orpheum Theatre, Begins June 27

Billy Elliot the Musical begins performances on June 27 at the Orpheum Theatre (1192 Market Street at 8th). This multi-award winning smash hit musical concludes the 2010-2011 SHN Broadway series under the direction of Carole Shorenstein Hays. Based on the international smash-hit film and featuring music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot the Musical has earned critical acclaim on Broadway including 10 Tony Awards.

Billy Elliot the Musical is the joyous celebration of one boy's journey to make his dreams come true. Set in a small town, the story follows Billy as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, discovering a surprising talent that inspires his family and his whole community and changes his life forever.

Casting for the San Francisco engagement of Billy Elliot the Musical features Tony Award-winner Faith Prince starring as Mrs. Wilkinson along with five boys Ethan Fuller, Kylend Hetherington, Lex Ishimoto, Daniel Russell and J.P. Viernes alternating the role of ‘Billy.'
Also featured are Rich Hebert (Dad); Patti Perkins (Grandma); Jeff Kready (Tony); Joel Blum (George); Griffin Birney and Jacob Zelonky (Michael); and Rachel Mracna (Debbie).
Ben Brantley of the New York Times says that Billy Elliot "Sends audiences into a mass swoon!" Time Out says it's "The most electric and passionate show in years." The Daily News calls Billy "So exhilarating that you feel like leaping!" Liz Smith calls the show "Absolutely awesome," The New York Observer raves that Billy is "The best thing to happen to Broadway in a long while," and WOR's Dave Richardson cheers, "All I can say is WOW!
The show is produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Jon Finn and Sally Greene. Angela Morrison and David Furnish are Executive Producers. The production features scenic design by Ian MacNeil, the associate director is Julian Webber, costume design by Nicky Gillibrand, lighting design by Rick Fisher and sound design by Paul Arditti. Musical supervision and orchestrations are by Martin Koch.
The production has been awarded 73 national and international awards including ten Tony Awards, Best Musical by the New York Drama Critics Circle, Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critics Circle.

TICKET INFORMATION:
Tickets for Billy Elliot the Musical start at $35 and are on sale now at http://shnsf.com/shows/billyelliot or by calling 888 SHN 1799 (888 746 1799).
For current box hours please visit http://shnsf.com/tickets/boxoffice.
Groups of 15 or more call Group Sales at 888 SHN 1799 or visit http://shnsf.com/groupsales.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE (June 27 - September 17):
Tuesday - Saturday at 8 PM
Saturday & Sunday at 2 PM
Select Wednesdays at 2 PM
Select Sundays at 7:30 PM
ADDED PERF: Monday, June 27 at 8 PM
NO PERF: Sunday, July 3

Cast Biographies

Faith Prince (Mrs. Wilkinson) has won the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for her performance as Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls. In 2008, she was nominated for Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for A Catered Affair. Other Broadway credits include The Little Mermaid, Bells Are Ringing (Tony, DD, OCC noms), Nick & Nora (OCC Award), Jerome Robbins' Broadway (Tony, DD noms), Little Me, The Dead, Noises Off. She also starred in the world premiere of Terrence McNally's Unusual Acts of Devotion. TV: Guest starred on Lifetime's Drop Dead Diva, Ugly Betty, Medium and CSI. She was a series regular on Showtime's Huff starring as "Kelly Knippers." Prince had a recurring role for five seasons on Spin City. Other credits include the self-titled series "Faith," "Sweet Potato Queens," "Grey's Anatomy," "House," "Monk," "Now and Again" "Welcome To New York" and "Law and Order." Film: Our Very Own with Allison Janney and Cheryl Hines, Picture Perfect, Dave, and My Father the Hero. She recently starred in the concert version of Sweeney Todd with the Orlando Philharmonic. Faith's new CD, Total Faith, has an upcoming release and her CD A Leap Of Faith is available on DRG records.

ETHAN FULLER (Billy), 13, is from Indialantic, FL. A longtime student of New Dimensions Dance, he is trained in ballet, jazz, and contemporary. Awards: Showbiz Talent, Youth America Grand Prix; youngest dancer in Complexions Contemporary Ballet's summer intensive under directors Desmond Richardson and Dwight Rhoden. Studies with Patel Conservatory Youth Ballet. Special thanks to God, family, Mr. Dawhone Perry, and Ms. Christina Johnson.

KYLEND HETHERINGTON (Billy), 13, hails from Auburn, Michigan, and most recently played ‘Michael' and ‘Tall Boy' in the Broadway production. Later he studied ballet with Giuseppe Canale and Scott Heinrich and tap with Bruce Bradley. In 2009, he participated in the ABT Young Dancer Summer Workshop under full scholarship.

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