More than 4.5 million people worldwide have seen this show since its 2005 debut in London, an inspiring tale drawn from the hit movie about a kid who stumbles out of a boxing ring and into a ballet class. He discovers a surprising talent that inspires his family and his whole community in a way that changes his life. The role of Billy is an exhausting one, danced vigorously to music by Rock icon Elton John, so typically three young performers take turns performing the lead. (The three boys in the original New York production jointly won the Tony for leading actor in a musical.) The production has been awarded 81 national and international awards, including 10 Tony Awards, and was chosen the best musical of 2005 by the New York Drama Critics Circle, Drama Desk, Drama League and outer Critics Circle. The Broadway production closed earlier this month; this is the show’s first appearance in Cincinnati. It’s likely to be the hottest ticket of the local Broadway series this season.
