Billy Elliot the Forum

The 3 boys who will play Billy have been announced today.

Tommy Batchelor from Florida, Giuseppe Bausilio from Switzerland and Cesar Corrales who is from Canada by way of Mexico and Cuba.

It looks as if all three boys will be Ballet Billys.

http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/ ... ater_loop/

I was sure that they would move Tommy there, they need an experienced guy, as they needed Trent.

Billy Whiz wrote:
Tommy Batchelor

I recognise that name!

Congrats to them all. How international!

Finally Tommy will get the recognition that he so richly deserves. Even in the newspaper article above they called him an understudy in New York and I don't think he has been one for months now.

It says that the other two boys have not even seen the show yet. I wonder what they will make of it.

I don't like that at all, that they call him like that, I never saw him but from the reviews here he is 100% Billy.

This is gonna be a real challenge for the production team but on the good side, they can move them around easily if they need to. I guess they must get ready a NY Billy too now.

I don't see how this is good for Tommy. Wouldn't Chicago be a step-down from Broadway? No offense meant to anyone in the Chicago production, but Broadway is the be-all-end-all of theatre (at least to most people).

I wish Tommy was staying in New York But as long as he's happy, then I guess I'm happy. He sure is a brilliant Billy.



On a positive note, maybe they can go on Oprah to promote the show!

Well he was and still is on Broadway, he'll always have that. He will finally get a lot of publicity now. Plus the experience, meeting new people, etc. I think it's all for the best.

I think he will stay performing on Broadway while the other Chicago boys train. They will probably train in NY too.

jillmichael wrote:I don't see how this is good for Tommy. Wouldn't Chicago be a step-down from Broadway? No offense meant to anyone in the Chicago production, but Broadway is the be-all-end-all of theatre (at least to most people).

I wish Tommy was staying in New York But as long as he's happy, then I guess I'm happy. He sure is a brilliant Billy.

On a positive note, maybe they can go on Oprah to promote the show!

I definitely agree that Tommy is a brilliant Billy! I am happy to see him get to be the anchor of this new production. Now if they will just quit referring to him as an understudy, I will be even happier.

Chicago is turning into a HUGE theatre town, which is no doubt why the producers chose if for the next US production of Billy. There are at least FIVE shows from Chicago moving to Broadway next season, as did August Osage County two seasons ago.

And yes, I imagine the boys will show up on Oprah. She would be missing something great if she didn't have them on.

pexcornel wrote:Well he was and still is on Broadway, he'll always have that. He will finally get a lot of publicity now. Plus the experience, meeting new people, etc. I think it's all for the best.
I think he will stay performing on Broadway while the other Chicago boys train. They will probably train in NY too.

I think all the Billy training will be centralized in NY. Until the rest of the Chicago cast is chosen, I imagine they will continue training there, and then move to Chicago once the cast is in place to work with them in putting the show together.

Congratulations to all the kids. So international!

Can I just ask though - was Tommy not listed as an understudy before?? Like officially, which is presumably why some refer to him as such?

No offense meant to anyone in the Chicago production, but Broadway is the be-all-end-all of theatre (at least to most people).

Make sure you mention that if you're ever watching a play at the RSC or the National the next time you're in London, lol.

Justin wrote:Can I just ask though - was Tommy not listed as an understudy before?? Like officially, which is presumably why some refer to him as such?

Yes Tommy was the understudy when the show opened but he then joined the full rotation with the other boys.