Broadway's Billy Elliot to Welcome Australian Star

By Adam Hetrick
28 Dec 2009

Michael Dameski and Jake Evan Schwencke
Michael Dameski and Jake Evan Schwencke

Australian cast member Michael Dameski and Jake Evan Schwencke will join the cast of Broadway's Billy Elliot as Billy and Michael, respectively, in 2010.

Dameski, who starred in the title role in the Melbourne company of the hit musical, will make his Broadway debut as one of the rotating Billys in the New York company. His official start date has not been announced. Bye Bye Birdie and Distracted cast member Schwencke will join the Broadway company as the alternating Michael beginning Jan. 16, 2010.

Outgoing Billy Elliot cast members include original Tony winner David Alvarez, who plays his final performance as Billy Jan. 3, 2010. Keean Johnson, who is leaving to join the upcoming Chicago production of Billy Elliot, will play his last performance as Michael for New York audiences on Jan. 15, 2010.

The Broadway cast also features Alex Ko, Trent Kowalik, Liam Redhead and Dayton Tavares as Billy, Kate Hennig as Mrs. Wilkinson, Gregory Jbara as Dad, Carole Shelley as Grandma, Will Chase as Tony and Trevor Braun as Michael.

The musical earned ten 2009 Tony Awards, including one for Best Musical. Billy Elliot has music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry. The production opened on Nov. 13, 2008, at Broadway's Imperial Theatre.



For tickets visit BillyElliotBroadway.