Billy Elliot the Forum

Here's Alessandro's thread.

http://spettacoliecultura.ilmessaggero. ... 7917.shtml

Thanks for the link, airali . From the article, it appears that Alessandro will be the one and only Billy in this production, so I am withdrawing the threads that were set up for the other boys featured in the article about casting until/unless we learn that one of them has also been cast as the backup Billy (or possibly Michael).

Here is a translation of Alessandro's official announcement, linked above:

The eagerly awaited Italian version of "Billy Elliot, the Musical," the first in the world not in English, signed and produced by Massimo Romeo Piparo, has its lead star.

Alessandro Frola, who comes from Parma, is fourteen and has (a large) resume for a small étoile (star). With clear eyes, shy look and extraordinary gifts, his talent immediately struck the director Massimo Romeo Piparo, who has chosen from hundreds of applicants from all over Italy come to the Sistine.

Four years after Alexander took his first steps in the school of Dance, directed by his mother Lucia Giuffrida, and still tiny, he earned a scholarship and a ticket for two top destinations in the dance world: the American Ballet in New York and the Royal Ballet London; and honors from the sample that led him to dance in Paris and Berlin, in Europe as in Mexico and the United States. But it is in Rome that Alexander reaches his greatest achievement. After more than a month and a half of casting of children between 8 and 14 years old, he came to a call back for "Billy Elliot," (and passed) the final auditions for the lead role in the Italian version produced by PeepArrow Entertainment and The Sistine.

The auditions of the new Musical by Massimo Romeo Piparo - which completes a trilogy of which he spoke in all the European press, which began with "The Full Monty" and continued with "Jesus Christ Superstar" - had a record number of requests for participation, with about 1,200 aspiring Billys. Since last December, the Teatro Sistina has become a permanent set, flooded with young and talented performers. In the end the love, passion, friendship, desire to succeed always triumph and the dream came true. Alexander won the role of Billy Elliot and, at age 14, has earned (a place on) the prestigious stage of the Temple of Musical Comedy Italian.

http://www.billyelliot.it/billy-elliot- ... -italiano/

Here another link to the news with new photo:
http://www.ilquotidianoitaliano.it/cult ... 1965.html/

kport wrote:Here is a translation of Alessandro's official announcement, linked above:....

The translation is not correct. The original text, as well as the above article, state "la prima (al mondo) non in inglese" But it's not the first non english version. How can they overlook all the other productions?

thm wrote:

kport wrote:Here is a translation of Alessandro's official announcement, linked above:....

The translation is not correct. The original text, as well as the above article, state "la prima (al mondo) non in inglese" But it's not the first non english version. How can they overlook all the other productions?

Thank you. I have corrected the original translation.

This is a new recording featuring Alessandro. My guess is that it was compiled from audition recordings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgqEzwWYWUA

His brother, Gabriele, is a member of the National Ballet of Canada. I've seen him perform several times and he is beyond amazing. So I imagine Alessandro has that great talent running through him as well.

Alessandro will receive the Faiano International Prize on July 12 for his portrayal of Billy in the Italian production company.

http://www.teatrionline.com/2015/07/ale ... iano-2015/