Elton John celebrates `Billy Elliot' on Broadway

AP, Nov 14, 2008 11:00 am PST
Elton John still can't believe he's a Broadway hitmaker.

The 61-year-old musician marveled at his success Thursday night at the opening of "Billy Elliot." He composed the score for that show, "Aida" and "The Lion King," which is still playing on the Great White Way.

"I'm looking up at the street and I'm seeing the sign for `The Lion King,' and I'm standing here and I'm thinking, `I had never thought in a million years I'd ever be standing in Broadway and talking about something I'd written for the stage," said John, beaming with pride.

John, accompanied by partner David Furnish, said he'd rather write a musical than record an album because he likes having a story line and characters.

"I love it — but I've got a lot to learn," he said. "I'm a novice at this."

"Billy Elliot," at the Imperial Theater, is based on the popular 2000 movie about a young boy who longs to dance but lives in the bleak coal-mining area of Northern England. His story is set against the backdrop of a bitter miners' strike.

"It's a triumph over adversity. It's something beautiful coming out of something tragic," John mused about the show, which has had successful runs in London and Sydney, Australia.

The role of Billy has been cast with three actors — David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish — rotating the physically demanding part.

Joining John at Thursday's performance: Barbara Walters, Rosie O'Donnell, Ron Howard, Rachel Weisz, Kevin Spacey, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and tennis legend Billie Jean King.

More Artist News

Elton John leaves hospital, back on stage Nov 14

Nov 6, 2009 9:39 am PST

British singer Elton John left hospital on Thursday after being treated for a serious case of e-coli bacterial infection and influenza that forced him to cancel a string of concerts, his representative said on Thursday. Spokesman Gary F...

Elton John on mend, resuming tour dates

Nov 6, 2009 2:00 am PST

Elton John has been released from a London hospital after being treated for flu and an E. coli bacterial infection. The singer's spokesman Gary Farrow says John was at home Friday and was feeling fine. He left the hospital early Thursday....

Official: No Ukrainian adoption for Elton John

Sep 14, 2009 10:00 am PDT

Elton John won't be able to adopt a 14-month-old HIV-positive child from Ukraine because the pop star is too old and isn't married, the government said Monday. Adoption and gay rights advocates expressed regret about the determination by ...

Billy Joel ill, postpones 2nd upstate NY show

Jul 25, 2009 7:00 pm PDT

Billy Joel and Elton John have postponed a second upstate New York concert on their top-grossing tour after Joel fell ill with flu-like symptoms. The Times Union Center in Albany says in a release the pair have decided to delay Monday's s...

Elton John, Dolly Parton to perform at Tonys

Jun 5, 2009 2:00 pm PDT

The Tony Awards will include a few bona fide music stars among the usual song-and-dance numbers. Elton John, Dolly Parton and Poison will help toast Broadway's finest at Sunday's ceremony, performing with the casts of top-nominated...

Photos

Loading...
View All Photos »

Videos

1-6 of 46 videos
Prev | Next
View All Videos »

Artist on Last.fm