Elton John and Tim Rice's AIDA opens Friday June 17th

The Elton John Band in rehearsals. Photo: Jon Lewis

http://www.eltonjohn.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110605&contentid=20091524
june 5, 2011

Summer tour rehearsals underway

The Elton John Band rehearses for the upcoming tour

By the Editor/eltonjohn.com

On a hot Saturday afternoon at a secret location not far from London, eltonjohn.com caught up with The Elton John Band, complete with backing vocalists and a new addition for this tour, Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser (better known as "2CELLOS"), all hard at work rehearsing for this summer's UK and European Tour.
The tour kicks off this Wednesday with the first of two sold out shows at Cardiff's International Arena and then moves on to Glasgow's SECC before winding its way around much of the UK and into many parts of Europe.
For those of you lucky enough to be attending any of these shows over the next six weeks, you are definitely in for a real treat! As we left the studio we could hear the backing vocalists singing, "Are you ready?..."
The answer is, "YES!"

Photos Elton John Live in München 2011

http://eltonjohnspics.blogspot.com/2011/06/photos-elton-john-live-in-munchen-2011.html

 

“BILLY ELLIOT” – Leaps into the Orpheum June 27th

http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=134002

14 June 2011

Sean Martinfield
Sentinel Editor and Publisher
Photo by Lynn Imanaka

Billy Elliot the Musical begins performances on June 27 at the Orpheum Theatre (1192 Market Street at 8th). This multi-award winning smash hit musical concludes the 2010-2011 SHN Broadway series under the direction of Carole Shorenstein Hays.  Based on the international smash-hit film and featuring music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot the Musical has earned critical acclaim on Broadway including 10 Tony Awards. Casting for the San Francisco engagement features Tony Award-winner Faith Prince starring as “Mrs. Wilkinson” along with five boys Ethan Fuller, Kylend Hetherington, Lex Ishimoto, Daniel Russell and J.P. Viernes alternating the role of “Billy.” Also featured are Rich Hebert (Dad); Patti Perkins (Grandma); Jeff Kready (Tony); Joel Blum (George); Griffin Birney and Jacob Zelonky (Michael); and Rachel Mracna (Debbie).
Billy Elliot the Musical is a joyful celebration of one boy’s journey to make his dreams come true. Set in a small town, the story follows Billy as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, discovering a surprising talent that inspires his family, his whole community and changes his life forever.
Click here to purchase tickets on-line: BILLY ELLIOT
MEET BILLY – All 5 of them:

Faith Prince, Daniel Russell, and the ballet girls

Photo, Kyle Froman
DANIEL RUSSELL – 15, is from New South Wales. He performed the role of “Billy” in Melbourne, Australia. Russell has played the title role in Oliver, “Little Jake” in Annie Get Your Gun, and has appeared in Joseph and Alice in Wonderland. He was awarded 2nd place for the Isobel Anderson Awards for Intermediate Foundation Classical Ballet (RAD) and has won numerous prizes and scholarships with tap, ballet and modern dance in Eisteddfods. Russell also starred in the music video World Keeps Turning by Jetty Road.
KYLEND HETHERINGTON – 13, hails from Auburn, Michigan. He most recently played “Michael” and “Tall Boy” in the Broadway production. Later has studied ballet with Giuseppe Canale and Scott Heinrich and tap with Bruce Bradley. In 2009, he participated in the ABT Young Dancer Summer Workshop under full scholarship.

Kylend Hertherington. Photo, Kyle Froman

Lex Ishimoto and Maximilien A. Baud
Photo, Michael Brosilow
LEX ISHIMOTO – 13, is from Irvine, California. He has performed in many nationally ranked dance competitions both solo as part of his street dance hip-hop group Kreative Movement. His specialties are hip-hop, tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical and contemporary dance. He has studied at the West Coast School of the Arts in Costa Mesa. Ishimoto was named Mr. Showbiz (California West Coast), national rank of top 10 Showstoppers, with his group winning first overall. He is the recipient of many dance scholarships.
J.P. VIERNES – 15, a native of the Bay Area is from Half Moon Bay, CA. National Tour: Billy Elliot (Chicago/Toronto). Regional: South Pacific (Coastal Rep). JP began dancing at age seven with Shely Pack Dancers and danced two years with City Ballet SF. Recipient: CHRP JUBA award for Billy Elliot.

J.P. Viernes. Photo, Joan Marcus
ETHAN FULLER – 13, is from Indialantic, FL. Longtime student of New Dimensions Dance, he is trained in ballet, jazz, and contemporary. Awards: Showbiz Talent, Youth America Grand Prix; youngest dancer in Complexions Contemporary Ballet’s summer intensive under directors Desmond Richardson and Dwight Rhoden. Studies with Patel Conservatory Youth Ballet.
Click here to purchase tickets on-line: BILLY ELLIOT

Elton John & Tim Rice's AIDA opens Friday, June 17th!

http://insidemc.montgomerycollege.edu/showStory.php?id=28155


Published at Jun 15 2011 12:00AM
Category: Need to Know




* Live Orchestra * Exciting Dance * Full Buffet Dinner!

Summer Dinner Theatre 2011 Presents Elton John & Tim Rice's AIDA
June 17, 18, 24, 25, 26*, July 1, 2, & 3*
*Denotes Sunday Matinee performance

"Every Story is a Love Story" as the classic epic is given a beautiful pop-rock sound with music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice. Aida is an enslaved Nubian princess whose love for Radames is taboo as war ravages her people and her culture. She must choose between a free life without her one true love or the dangers that await her and Radames hand-in-hand. A saga that transcends all time producing tender ballads, energized dancing, and chorus numbers you don't dare miss.