Category: Musicals & Theater

Musicals performed on stage by our featured young talent. “Oliver”, “Tommy”, “Sound of Music” and many more all represented here.

Tommy Batchelor Still On Top Of His Game!

Tommy Batchelor
Tommy Batchelor

It was almost a year ago that I gave you a blow by blow personal account of my attendance of Tommy Bachelor’s last performance of “Billy” in Billy Elliot The Musical which was performed on the Oriental Stage in Chicago, Illinois.

Not only was the show phenomenal, but Tommy was at his very best giving it his all, very much realizing that this was his last performance on that stage.

It was not only a pleasure to watch his performance but even a greater pleasure to personally meet him backstage at the meet and greet, presenting him with a very special tribute gift that was presented by this site and The Skykid.com.  (See picture)

I have been doing my best to catch up with Tommy because I was very interested in knowing just how a young performer like himself who was seemingly at a pinnacle in his young career could possibly follow up this kind of highpoint and showcase performance.  What could possibly match the momentum of this kind of celebrity status?

I soon found out that talented youngsters like Tommy don’t stop dancing their way through life. Instead, it’s one adventure just leading to another.  Below is his personal letter exactly as he related it to me.

bluedivider

Rivenmaster,

“This is Tommy Batchelor.

My last show with Billy Elliot Chicago was October 10, 2010; a day of weeping and long goodbyes.

Tommy Rehearsing For Nutcracker TommyBottleRocketSECMEChrisGarret…………………….CLICK PICTURES FOR LARGER SLIDESHOW VIEW!

I immediately came home to rehearsals for Miami City Ballet’s The Nutcracker, performing as Prince/ The Nutcracker in December. 

Continue reading “Tommy Batchelor Still On Top Of His Game!”

Tommy Batchelor’s Final Performance as “Billy Elliot”

Tommyb
Tommy Batchelor

Tommy Batchelor‘s last performance as Billy Elliot on the Oriental Stage in Chicago was on 10/10/10. For me, this day will long be remembered as one of the most memorable occasions in my blogging career. While I had often wanted to go to New York to see this musical, it seems that every time I made those plans something prevented me from making the trip.  When it was announced about a year ago that the musical would be coming to Chicago, I was ecstatic, because that location was much closer for me to attend.  When I discovered that Tommy’s last performance would be on October 10th , I rushed to my computer and secured a ticket.

Tommy Batchelor, now 15, is one of the original four Billys to have played the role on the Imperial Theatre stage in New York.  Because I knew that I would be guaranteed to see one of the best (and actually the last of the four original US boys to play in that role), I was very excited to attend that particular show!

Oriental approachAs I arrived in the Windy City, excitement began to grow as I knew the theatre in Chicago was nearly twice the size of the Imperial in NYC.  Having seen “Oliver!” in Grand Rapids years earlier, I knew that this was going to be a real experience.

When I approached the theatre, it finally became a reality for me.  I was going to see Billy Elliot, a true Broadway production and one that has received nothing but positive reviews from the whole of the entertainment industry. Continue reading “Tommy Batchelor’s Final Performance as “Billy Elliot””