Just wondering if anyone can tell me if they've heard about auditions for this fall for Billy and Michael roles.

I know that a boy from Austin, TX is playing the role of Michael.

The show opens in the fall with the three boys that they cast this summer. Did you hear that they are being replaced?

I heard that one of the Billys was injured - but not the extent of the injury.

Because Billy and Michael are such demanding roles and they are played by boys approaching puberty, I would think that they will be consistently auditioning to keep talented boys in the pipeline.

What might be fueling questions about new auditions is an article on Playbill.com the other day about BE that mentioned:

"Due to the rigors of the show and the fact that the Billys are always outgrowing the role, Darling and his team will begin casting replacements for the Broadway company in the next few weeks."

The full article is at:

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/119998.html

quote:

Originally posted by FishMom:
What might be fueling questions about new auditions is an article on Playbill.com the other day about BE that mentioned:

"Due to the rigors of the show and the fact that the Billys are always outgrowing the role, Darling and his team will begin casting replacements for the Broadway company in the next few weeks."

The full article is at:

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/119998.html

Yes, FishMom..that's what I was thinking about. Plus my DS was told by the CD that she wanted to see him once the show got underfoot for a future part. I guess when they say "in a few weeks" I was curious to find out if anyone had heard anything. I hadn't heard that they were replacing kids already. I think they just want to be ready to replace if someone matures out of the roles....

I believe the last EPAs for Billy Elliot were last October. The speculation that auditions will be happening soon may be because of the Equity rules that state that EPAs must occur at least once a year. Am I correct in this?

Yes, AndAllThatJazz...I think you're right. But now I heard that the potential futures are already in training....so I guess we'll just wait and see if they hold another audition by October or not.... No biggie. Whatever's meant to be is meant to be.

I have a feeling there will be future Billys in constant training due to the intensity of the role and especially due to the fact that boys around that age can have major growth spurts with no warning!

"Open Call" once again for Billy and Michael's:

Ripley-Grier Studios, (NY Spaces)
520 Eighth Avenue (36th/37th St.)
New York
16th Floor - Studio 16 U.

Saturday, October 4, 2008
Sign up begins 9:30

Billy:
9-12, unbroken voice, no taller than 4'10”, boy with exceptional dance skills including ballet and tap.


Michael:
9-12, unbroken voice, no taller than 4'10”, excellent tap skills, Billy's friend, free spirit, strong singer with a flair for comedy.

Describing Michael as a "free spirit" is a bit disingenuous. Or is that what we're calling it these days?

Tuff, I was thinking the same thing about the wording! :-)

Is this open call a sure thing for Oct. 4th?

I haven't seen it posted on Backstage or Playbill, or have I just missed it?

Where did you see the posting and is that also where you saw the height requirement?

Thanks!

It is really happening - it's on www.bebilly.com. Although that site says boys no taller than 5'0" (so a little more leeway than 4'10").

Good luck to anyone who goes!

The call was on Backstage in mid-September.
Oct. 4
Ripley-Grier Studios
520 Eighth Ave.
16th fl.
Sign-up begins at 9:30 a.m. in Studio #16U.

AND.. it annoys me that Michael is being described as a 'free spirit'. Michael swears like, well, like a coal miner's son. He wears girls clothes and kisses Billy on stage. This is an excellent role, but not an uncomplicated one.