No Broadway role may be more demanding than that of Billy Elliot, the young protagonist who dreams of becoming a ballet dancer. Over three hours, the youngster who plays Billy in the eponymous musical must act, sing, flip, and perform complicated dance moves (all the while maintaining a northern England accent). For the Chicago production, which begins March 18th at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre, four exceptional boys will alternate in the role. Here they discuss the toughest move in the show: a finale of 16 grande pirouettes followed by a series of passe pirouettes.

THE BILLYS

Tommy BatchelorTommy Batchelor, 14
Hometown: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Fact: The New York production of Billy Elliot was Tommy’s Broadway debut.

 

Giuseppe BausilioGiuseppe Bausilio, 12
Hometown: Bern, Switzerland
Fact: Giuseppe’s parents are ballet dancers, and his older brother dances with the Paris Opera Ballet company.

 

Cesar CorralesCesar Corrales, 13
Hometown: Originally from Mexico; now lives in Montreal with his parents, also dancers
Fact: Cesar appeared in the Richard Gere/Jennifer Lopez film Shall We Dance? when he was eight years old.

 

John Peter (J.P.) ViernesJohn Peter (J. P.) Viernes, 13
Hometown: Half Moon Bay, California
Fact: JP was named Junior Mr. Dance of America 2009 in Orlando, Florida.

 

THE COACH  The Chicago Billys underwent intense training three days a week for six weeks with the New York–based coach and ballet master Finis Jhung, a former soloist with the San Francisco, Joffrey, and Harkness ballet companies. Jhung says: “You need to make sure you’re giving them enough muscle work that really matters; in particular, the fondu [plié] on one leg that will become the turns in second and the push-off for their jumps. It’s a balance, keeping both their energy and enthusiasm up yet also making sure they do things properly to build their strength and avoid injuries.”

Photography: Amy Boyle Photography; Illustrations: Brown Bird Design