Drew Minard, Mitchell Tobin Become Newest Members of ‘Billy Elliot’ Touring Cast

Drew Minard and Mitchell Tobin have joined the national touring cast of “Billy Elliot the Musical.”

The two will rotate in the title role along with Ben Cook and Noah Parets, who have been with the touring production since earlier this year. Minard played his first performance December 15, and Tobin appeared on December 16 as they became the 12^th and 13^th actors to play the role with the national tour. Both made their debut in Austin, Texas.

Minard is from Clive, Iowa and Tobin is from Boca Raton, Fla. Both are 12-years-old and have been performing since the age of three. However, the Billy Elliot role marks the professional theater debut for both. Each has been training with the company since November.

The North American tour currently is playing in Baltimore, Md. through December 30, and has dates scheduled through June of next year. The final stop currently on the tour schedule is Hartford, Conn., and the production will play there from June 18 – June 23.

The show won 10 Tony Awards in 2009, including the Best Musical honor. The musical is an adaptation of the film “Billy Elliot,” and features music by Elton John along with lyrics and a book by Lee Hall. Stephen Daldry directed the musical, and choreography is by Peter Darling.

According to press notes, “Billy Elliot” is a “joyous 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 and his whole community and changes his life forever.”

The musical debuted in London in 2005, and has since been followed by productions in Sydney, Melbourne, Chicago, Toronto and New York, in addition to the U.S. national tour.