Billy Elliot the Musical Comes to Mendham

Hexagon Players presents their 2016 Spring production of Billy Elliot the Musical at Grace Lutheran Church of Mendham from May 13 through May 21 for a limited 8 show engagement. With fresh new choreography, a unique staging and audience format, and a family-friendly approach to the script; this is a production that is sure to be the talk of the town!

ABOUT THE SHOW

Based on the Academy Award nominated 2000 film of the same title, Billy Elliot is the story of its namesake star, a young 11 year old boy in a depressed working-class mining town in the North of England. Set during the history-making 1984 miner’s strike in the UK, the show follows Billy, the youngest child of a blue-collar family in County Durham that has recently lost its Mom, as he discovers his unlikely and extraordinary gift for ballet. While Billy’s father and brother take to the picket lines of the violent and life-changing strike, Billy secretly begins to study the art of dance with the help of a hard-drinking, chain-smoking local dance teacher. But as Billy blossoms and thrives, the world and lives around him continues to wither—and his only escape may be the prestigious Royal Ballet School, a place no working-class boy has ever gone, or been allowed to go to, before. Billy Elliot the Musical has music by Elton John, and book and lyrics by Lee Hall, who also wrote the film's screenplay. Hall's screenplay was inspired in part by A. J. Cronin's 1935 novel about a miners' strike, The Stars Look Down, to which the musical's opening song pays homage.

The musical premiered at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London's West End in 2005 to rave reviews and won four Laurence Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical. The musical's success in London led to a production on Broadway in 2006 at the Imperial Theater. In New York, it won ten Tony Awards, ten Drama Desk Awards, and eight Outer Critics Circle Awards including, in each case, Best Musical. The musical went on to receive productions in many other locations across the globe, including Australia, where it won a record-tying seven Helpmann Awards, also including Best Musical. In total, Billy Elliot the Musical has won a total of 81 International Awards.

ABOUT BILLY ELLIOT AT HEXAGON PLAYERS

When asked what audiences and fans of the show can expect from this production, director Patrick Francis Mahn remarked that as a personal fan of the show, he wanted to remain faithful to the production's content, but he also wanted to explore new themes and offer audiences an even more intimate and personal experience with the world Billy is growing up in. To do this, he says he worked closely with his production team - including Music Director Lisa Sabatino and Choreographer Elizabeth Piccoli - to develop new choreography and staging concepts, including presenting the show in a unique three-quarter thrust arena stage format, in which the audience surrounds the stage, placing them directly in the center of the action.. When asked why he decided to present the show in this nontraditional setting, he passionately explained that he wanted audiences to not just be passive observers of Billy's journey but to be active participants in it. In thrust staging, Mahn elaborates, actors are staged to place audience members in perspectives that make them feel as though they are receiving the impact of words and expressions directly, making this emotionally charged show an even more intimate and personal experience. He went on to say that this staging format also allows for some wonderfully powerful communal experiences, as audience members can actually see each and are, therefore, more openly and visibly able to experience the many great moments of this show together. It has also allowed us to work in some great audience participation moments, Mahn hints at with a wink and smile.

This production will not only be unique in its staging of the show, but will also feature the debut of the youngest Billy to ever take on the role as Parker Fullmore, age 9, alternates the demanding role of Billy Elliot with James Ciccarelle, 11.

Visit the PRODUCTION WEBSITE to learn more about the Cast and Crew of this show.

ABOUT HEXAGON PLAYERS

Founded in 1970 by Les Fredericks, Hexagon seeks to provide a consistently high quality community theater experience for both its members and all the residents of the Morris County area.

Hexagon took its name from the shape of the Grace Lutheran Church in Mendham, its "home base" all these years. While most of our original members were also members of Grace, the current membership rolls show representations of many religious denominations, and a widely spread geographical base.

Our not-for-profit organization has presented more than 80 productions over the past 30 years. We have featured hundreds of talented New Jersey performers in several stage classics, all to the delight of our faithful audiences.

Hexagon Players is a member of the Tri-County Community Theater Association, which represents six community theaters in northern New Jersey (Essex, Morris, and Union counties). Production schedules and auditions notices for these theater groups can be viewed online at www.tricountycta.org. Visit their WEBSITE to learn more or to be added to their mailing list.

PRODUCTION DETAILS

PERFORMANCES:

Friday, May 13 @ 7:30PM

Saturday, May 14 @ 2:00PM and 7:30PM

Sunday, May 15 @ 2:00PM

Thursday, May 19 @ 7:00PM SCOUT NIGHT ($15.00 for Scouts with proof of membership)

Friday, May 20 @ 7:30PM

Saturday, May 21 @ 2:00PM and 7:30PM

TICKETS: $20.00 General Admission

PURCHASE/RESERVE TICKETS HERE

OR CALL THE BOX OFFICE at 908-514-8499

LOCATION: Grace Lutheran Church (65 E. Main Street Mendham, NJ)