“Billy Elliot” is a story about an 11-year-old boy that never gives up on his hopes of becoming a dancer, despite his father’s constant ramblings about giving it up and going into boxing. So who better to portray the title character than a young boy who’s been obsessed with dancing since he was in the womb? There really is no other choice. And that’s the knowledge anyone who has the chance to see Kylend Hetherington on stage walks away with.

Hetherington, 15, loves the story of “Billy Elliot.” So much so that he’s been auditioning for the part since 2006; but has been turned away due to being too young. It was in 2008 that one of his auditions was successful, and he was given the part of Tall Boy in the musical that was showing on Broadway. Not long after getting that part, Hetherington worked his way up to the part of Billy’s best friend, Michael, and then started touring with the production in 2010.

Due to child labor laws, and the fact that Billy Elliot needs to be someone that appears to be 11 years old, the show has another Billy stepping onto stage from time to time. His name is Noah Parets, 13, who trained for months in New York before going on the road with the show; and just performed his first time in the role in July. But don’t expect that to get in the way here. These boys are all professionals.

“It’s great to have these other boys that are my age doing the exact same thing,” says Hetherington.  It’s good to know that you have those people there in case you can’t do a show. If you feel sick or have injured yourself, they’re there to back you up. They are always there for you.”

The show is playing at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit until September 16.

Just the words “The Phantom of the Opera” are enough to grab people’s attention! Almost everyone today knows this iconic story in one form or another. The most famous, of course, is Andrew Lloyd Webber’s interpretation with its breathtaking scenes, songs, and emotions. If you are going to be in the New York area, be sure not to miss out on your chance to see the play at the Majestic Theatre.

The original story dates back to over 100 years ago. The story Le Fantôme de l’Opéra was written by Gaston Leroux, and reached limited success at the time. It did, however, get turned into the iconic 1925 film that shocked audiences of the day. This, in turn, inspired the famous Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. In February 2012, the musical had its 10,000th performance on Broadway, and the year 2013 will mark the 25th anniversary for the show playing at the Majestic Theatre. My how time flies! The good news is that the songs and the magic don’t age, and are still as amazing as ever.

The Phantom of the Opera musical can be hard to describe to those that have never seen it, other than simply to say, “you must see it!” When the titular song is sung and the phantom sings out “Sing for me!” and Christine hits the high note, well, it is hard not to get goose bumps! Feeling both the fear and heartbreak for the poor Phantom is also a must for all those who love a tragic love story or a good unrequited romance. The amazing colors, costuming and sound of “Masquerade” are also never to be forgotten. We won’t mention the chandelier scene for those who still don’t know and prefer to be surprised…

There is a reason this is the longest running show in the history of Broadway! If you have never seen it, then you are in for an amazing night that you won’t soon be able to forget. If you have already seen it, then you already know, but reliving the experience is still as breathtaking now as the first time. Get your tickets today and be a part of the 25th anniversary celebration!

If you love animals then you may very well already be familiar with the famous zookeeper Jack Hanna.  He’s one of David Letterman’s favorite guess, and is well known for his acerbic sense of humor and his remarkably straight face.  If you haven’t seen him before on TV or in person, then you are in for a treat.  This animal expert lets people of all ages get up close to the animals they love.  The good news is that there is a new theater show known as “Jungle Jack Hanna” that is a must-see for everyone!

Jack Hanna was originally a television host for the TV show “Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures”, which aired for over 12 years.  He would tell zany stories, show the animals being themselves as they ran around doing crazy things and really educate young ones on species from around the globe.  Currently the star at age 63, is back on the air on his new show “Jack Hanna’s Into The Wild”, and of course there are still plenty of fun animals to be seen!  If you haven’t seen either of those shows, but the name sounds familiar, then more than likely you have seen him on “Late Night with David Letterman”, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”, or “Good Morning, America”.  All of these shows have Hanna bring out some of his wild animal friends, and all sorts of funny happenings usually ensue.  Our favorite moments are when Dave freaks out because of some snake or bird attack.

Want to be a part of it all?  Then come check out the theater show!  The next show is scheduled to be in Durham, North Carolina at the Carolina Theatre.  Just what types of animals might you get to see?  How about bird of prey, snakes of all types, maybe even a cheetah!  You can bring the kids, or really just yourself if you enjoy live animal shows.  Jack Hanna will show pictures from his latest adventures, tell stories, as well as educate people about how we can all help save our planet and the beautiful creatures living on it.

The most innovative entertainment group to hit the stage since rock and roll first broke the sound waves will be playing at the Astor Place Theatre until the 29^th of December. This is plenty of time to arrange your visit for one of the greatest shows on earth.

The Blue Man Group, an organization founded by Chris Wink, Mac Goldman, and Phil Stanton, is a theatrical show that is out of this world. Featuring experimental music, comedy and multimedia that include electronic light shows and a big screen backdrop, the Blue Men always appear as a trio, adding to the rhythm section with lighted drums and pipefittings. Wearing bald capped blue masks, they seem to be outsiders to Earth’s human population, showing surprise and curiosity over the simplest objects. They puzzle over cell phones and with deadpan faces, study how to become rock stars.

Releasing their first audio recording in 1999, the Blue Men debuted with a sound track of full instrumental recordings, as well as introducing some new instruments. They have several themes, among which have to do with science and technology and information overload. Their mute performances give the uncanny feeling of being observed by a trio freshly introduced from outer space, full of innocence and childlike experimentation with earthly technology.

There is nothing childlike in their delivery, however. Their music is a mixture of instrumentals and rhythm that is difficult to resist, no matter what your age. The comedy is an open gateway for smiling at ourselves, if not outright laughing at their apparent puzzlement over who we are as a society. The Blue Man Group is an opportunity to loosen up and not take ourselves so seriously, while enjoying all the benefits of prime time entertainment.

As they roll out the paint to splatter their drums, you’ll need to wear rain coats for protection if you’re sitting in the front rows, but somehow you just don’t mind as the paint makes an awesome splash to the sensory overload, and seems suitable for these space age humanoids. The group recently completed an International tour, which included performances in Stutgart, Vienna and Zurich. They’ve made numerous guest appearances for television, including The Tonight Show, Scrubs and Arrested Development.

The Blue Men Group is primed and targeted however for theater, and if your enjoyment is for theatrical performance, this is the group you do not want to miss. They received the Drama Desk Award in 1992 for Unique Theatrical Experience, and unique is the only way to describe them. In 2011, they received the Off Broadway Alliance Award for audience choice of best long running show. If that’s not enough to convince you, then experience them for yourself. You’ll be a Blue Man Group fan forever!

Have you ever wondered what life was like at Oz before Dorothy made the scene? More specifically, what was the history of the good witch from the North and the wicked witch from the West? After all, they were hanging around, doing their own thing until Dorothy’s arrival. Surely, they must have had their own story.

They certainly did! Wicked begins with Dorothy’s encounter with Elphaba, the supposedly wicked witch who has imprisoned her. However, was she really all that evil? When Glinda, the good witch, arrives to confirm Elphaba has indeed melted, she begins to reflect on their own memories of entering Oz.

Elphaba, as explained in the enchanting musical, was actually a college roommate of Glinda, and with time, they had become friends. Elphaba had been fiery tempered, stubborn and opinionated, as well as having green skin, but she wasn’t exactly evil. In fact, her motivations for entering Oz was to consult with the wizard and find out why the animals were losing their power of speech. Glinda, as it turns out, was pretty and popular, but somewhat empty headed. When they arrive in Oz, Elphaba learns it was the wizard who was responsible for the animals’ waning power of speech. Angry at his betrayal, she leaves she escapes the wizard’s clutches, who then pronounces that Elphaba is indeed wicked. In the meantime, Glinda doesn’t have a clue and becomes the wizard’s assistant.

The plot contains a lot of surprising twists, including how the tin man became the tin man, the scarecrow’s narrow escape from death and why the lion considered himself cowardly. It also gives the history of the magical red shoes that Dorothy used to return home, and explains the circumstances of the wicked witch of the East.

With beautiful musical scores, enchanted creatures, and an unexpected story line, Wicked makes a close examination of good and evil, revealing that wickedness doesn’t always have a clear definition. It makes you wonder who the real heroes truly are, or perhaps there are no real heroes at all, just circumstances and the inevitable conclusion that we can all make mistakes.

The original production of Wicked first opened in 2003 at the Curran Theatre in San Francisco. The Broadway production was nominated for eleven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Original Score, Scenic Design and Choreography. It has also won six Drama Desk awards and four Outer Critics Awards. In 2005, it received the Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album. This is a musical production designed to enchant the entire family. Return to Oz and discover the secrets behind the witches of Wicked!

Looking for something a little more grown up to do for Halloween chills this October?  Haunted houses aren’t sophisticated, and you may be a bit old for trick or treating.  Don’t give up the chills of the month.  Instead, check out “Dracula” the ballet inspired by Bram Stoker’s famous novel for a sophisticated time that still stays in the spirit of the season.

The ballet will be performed in Columbus, Ohio and San Diego, California at the Capitol Theater and San Diego Civic Theater respectively.  As always, there is darkness, seduction, passion, romance, and the creature himself to be seen.  The ballet takes all the vivid imagery from the work and presents it in a brand new medium that is sure to thrill.  Ballet is the perfect choice for such a tale, as emotions as rich as in Bram Stoker’s tale are perfectly expressed in the movements and beautiful music you will witness live on stage.  The romantic and gothic style of this ballet will leave you to enjoy the dark atmosphere of the season.

The ballet is set in two acts, and features music classics such as the haunting “Spiegel im Spiegel” by Arvo Pärt, as well as “Requiem” by Alfred Schnittke, and “Symphonic Dances II Andante con moto” by Sergei Rachmaninov.  The scenic designs have been created with some elements of surprise, but designer Dan Gray won’t give them away, only talking about how the idea of transformation is very important to the story, and also to the sets.  Linda Pisano handled the costuming of the ballet, and says the costumes are more abstract, with focuses on feelings and bold colors rather than the same old boring traditional pieces.  One thing to notice is that the dancers in the ballet, that are still among the living, wear point shoes, while the dark cast of Dracula’s crew wear flat shoes.

So much detail went into this ballet that it is sure to leave you open jawed an “bitten” with joy.  Tickets are selling fast, so if you are in the area or plan on some travel this spooky October month, be sure not to miss Dracula the Ballet!

Maybe you saw her in 1978’s Evita. Or maybe it’s the song “Memory” that sticks out mostly in your head when you think of her. Whatever comes to mind when you hear the name Elaine Paige, it’s undoubtedly something wonderful and sweet. Now, the musical theater singer is taking her memorable show on the road, and she’s going to Australia!

So what can fans expect to see? If you’re hoping for a mix-up of Paige’s biggest hits then you’re in luck! Paige knows what her fans want and she’ll be showing a little bit of Cats; small bits from her albums, Sitting Pretty, Stages, and Cinema; and maybe even a little from the role she played more recently in the Broadway production Sunset Boulevard.

Fans who want to be there when Paige brings her pipes to Australia need to act fast. The actress is only putting on a total of 6 shows visiting the cities of: Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, and Brisbane from the dates of Saturday, October 20 — Monday, October 29. For a full listing of venues and dates, you can find them on the Elaine Paige ticket page.

Paige is known for bringing her best; and since it’s been almost three full years since Paige has toured at all, Australia fans have reason to be excited! But that tour three years ago sold out in minutes, so Aussie fans need to act fast!

Imagine a group of young people dressed in only the most conservative and preppy fashions; one girl that stands out in bright pink wherever she goes; a cast that’s just starting to find their voices; and peppy dance numbers and you’ve got the Columbus Children’s Theatre adaptation of “Legally Blonde: The Musical.”

The story is one that we’ve all seen a hundred times, mostly from watching Reese Witherspoon act it out in the movie. Newly graduated from high school, the main character Elle has dreams of marrying her high school sweetheart. Those dreams are crushed when she learns he was just passing time with her for the past several years, and now must go start his career as a senator, even if he still does have to get college out of the way first.

But with a scorned heart only spurring her on, Elle follows him only to find that there’s something she’s much better at than even shopping — that’s the practice of law! As Elle begins to grow her confidence and find herself, so too does Hannah Schwieterman, the college student that plays her in Columbus’ newest show. Joining Hannah are Ricardo Locci, the now-too-good-for-her ex-boyfriend, Warner; the new boyfriend, played by Josh Schirtzinger; and Kim Mollette, who plays Paulette, the hairdresser with an eerily similar New England accent. Some of these characters, and others, take on the role of more than just one character and a six-person band is there to back up the amateurs’ singing numbers.

The play, while not put on by professionals actors, is still enough to keep everyone entertained and remind everyone why rooting for the underdog is sometimes the most rewarding part of it all. This show, which is currently running for a very limited time until July 19, 2012, is directed by William Goldsmith, with musical direction provided by Jonathan Collura.

And even though it might not be tried and true Broadway talent, this one is definitely worth seeing!

The movie that Dolly Parton made so famous in the very early 80s is hitting the stage one more time. And while last time it was adapted into a musical it played right on Broadway, this time it’s Long Island that’s in for the treat. Running from July 18 — August 4 at the Patchogue Theatre, this time — just like the last — it’s chock full of stars.

The biggest name among them all is the fabulous Sally Struthers, who plays the executive assistant, Roz Keith, that’s constantly running to her boss to tell him what the other girls in the office are doing. That boss, Franklin Hart Jr., is played by Edward Staudenmayer, the president of Consolidated Companies, and the hard-nose that’s always trying to get the women of the office to work more, and gossip less.

But even with the big names, this play just wouldn’t be the same without all the original music that is still so well-known and much-loved today. And even though it may have been over two decades since she took up a role in the movie herself, all of that music is still original, written by Dolly Parton. Directing the music will be Andrew Austin, while Keith Andrew will oversee the direction of the play and Gerry McIntyre will be choreographing.

With the fast upbeat dance numbers and the general overall good feeling that this show always evokes, it’s easy to see how some would think it’s a show for everyone. However, due to adult language and content, this is one to keep the kids home.

If you want to see how one of the “100 Funniest Movies,” as proclaimed by the American Film Institute turned into a play, you’ve got to check it out for the limited-time showing that’s currently running in Long Island.

Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and William Shatner. These are just a few of the most recent celebrities to take the story of their life and shine the light of Broadway on it in an autobiographical performance. But perhaps none of these autobiographies bring quite as much true Broadway essence as the play that’s currently in the works. That’s the story of Cher.

Cher is currently in the process of writing and producing the Broadway musical that will be based on her life. When we can expect to see it hit the stage will be awhile yet, as Cher tweeted that it’s been a “VERY SLOW PROCESS! Been working on it quite a while now.” But there’s no doubt that it will be well worth the wait, especially for die-hard Cher fans.

While casting hasn’t yet been determined, three different actresses in total will be portraying Cher — each at a different stage in her life. The first will be during the Sonny and Cher years; the second will depict Cher along the way of her “Believe” tour; and the third will present the classic cultural icon that Cher is today. When joking about perhaps adding another Cher phase, the singer tweeted, “I could be old Cher! She’s wise and tells young ones not to fear the future.”

In other Cher news, she has also recently announced that she’s currently working on another album, with a tour to follow. This will be her first tour since her farewell tour in 2005, which ran the course of three years and had Cher playing over 300 shows before moving to Caesars Palace in Vegas for another three-year stint.