Billy Elliot Books Date with Broadway; London Musical Hit to Start 9/17/08

Billy Elliot is ready to dance on Broadway. The hit London musical, which has long been scheduled for a fall 2008 New York bow, will start performances on September 17, 2008. No casting or theater information has been announced.

Based on the successful feature film, Billy Elliot tells the story of a boy with a dream of becoming a dancer while living in a northern England town where men box and work in the mines. A funny, heartwarming musical and a feel-good celebration of his triumph against the odds, Billy Elliot opened in the West End at the Victoria Palace Theatre on May 11, 2005 and went on to win the Olivier Award for Best New Musical.

Bringing the production to the Broadway stage is the original London creative team of Stephen Daldry director, Elton John music and Lee Hall book and lyrics. Daldry and Hall were also the creative team behind the film.