Thursday, November 5th, 2009
Liam Redhead of North Bay, Ont., to play Billy Elliot on Broadway
TORONTO - Another Canadian teenager has been chosen to star in the hit Broadway production of "Billy Elliot the Musical."
This time Liam Redhead of North Bay, Ont., will share the lead role of a British boy who falls in love with ballet in a small mining town.
The 14-year-old, who studies at Canada's National Ballet School, beat out more than 1,500 hopefuls who auditioned around North America.
Sharing the role with him will be Dayton Tavares, who previously played Billy in the Sydney and Melbourne productions.
Last June, Montreal teenager David Alvarez shared a best-actor Tony Award for playing the part of Billy on Broadway.
And last September, it was announced that Cesar Corrales - also a student at Canada's ballet school - would play Billy in the upcoming Chicago production of the show.
"Billy Elliot the Musical," featuring the music of Elton John and a book and lyrics by Lee Hall, opened on Broadway nearly a year ago and has won a total of 10 Tonys, including best musical.
