Chicago Cast to Begin Rehearsals in January

[porschesrule]

"Members of the new cast of the Chicago "Billy Elliot" (technically the first national tour, with point-of-origin Chicago) are slated to arrive in town as early as Jan. 11. I hear a small number of Chicago-based actors are in the yet-to-be-announced cast, which is also drawing heavily from Broadway performers.

The entire rehearsal process is taking place in Chicago. Given the number of kids in the show, that's an extensive affair.

As soon as "The Addams Family" heads to New York, "Billy Elliot" takes over the Oriental Theatre, which includes both the stage and separate rehearsal rooms. So there will be no shows at the Oriental after "The Addams Family" closes on Jan. 10 (and that is a definite close), until "Billy Elliot" makes its first preview bow on March 18. The opening is not yet set, but won't be before April 1."

The above is an excerpt from a recent Chicago Tribune story. The full story can be found here: http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/ ... op/page/2/