‘Billy Elliott: The Musical’ coming to Paramount Theatre in Aurora

“Billy Elliot: The Musical,” originally nominated for 15 Tony Awards and a winner of 10, including Best Musical, is coming to Paramount Theatre in Aurora as the first show of 2024.

According to a news release from Paramount Theatre, the new production of this popular coming-of-age tale is set to the music of Elton John, with book and lyrics by Lee Hall. It is directed by Trent Stork. Performances are Feb. 7 to March 24, with opening night at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, following the previews.

Billy Elliot is an 11-year-old English boy who stumbles upon a ballet class during his weekly boxing lesson. His surprise love for dance must be hidden at all costs, especially from his coal miner father. With help from his sharp-tongued teacher, Mrs. Wilkinson, Billy gets the chance to attend a prestigious ballet school and must decide what is most important: doing what he loves or doing what other people want, according to the release.

“Billy Elliot: The Musical,” based on the 2000 film, premiered at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London’s West End in 2005, and was nominated for nine Laurence Olivier Awards, winning four, including Best New Musical. The production ran through April 2016. Its success led to productions in Australia, numerous other countries and on Broadway. In New York, it won 10 Tony Awards and 10 Drama Desk Awards, including, in each case, Best Musical. It was originally directed by Stephen Daldry. Orchestrations are by Martin Koch.

Performances begin at 1:30 and 7 p.m. Wednesdays; 7 p.m. Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; and 1 and 5:30 p.m. Sundays. Run time is about two and a half hours, with intermission.

Single tickets are available to buy now on the theater’s website.

Paramount Theatre is located at 23 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora. For tickets and information, visit paramountaurora.com, call 630-896-6666 or stop by the Paramount box office from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and until show time on performance days.