Suburban dancers get chance to soar as Drury Lane's 'Billy Elliot'

To suggest that much of the success of Drury Lane Theatre's “Billy Elliot” rests on the shoulders of a couple of suburban teenagers is no overstatement. Not when those teenagers share the titular role in one of the most highly anticipated and demanding shows of the season.

“Nothing compares to this in terms of children's roles,” said director/choreographer Rachel Rockwell. “There's not another role that's bigger. Even ‘Annie' is a cakewalk compared (to Billy).”

For the role of the working-class boy from a northern England mining town who dreams of becoming a ballet dancer, Rockwell cast 14-year-old Nicholas Dantes from Vernon Hills and 16-year-old Kyle Halford of Naperville.

Although both have professional experience, Billy marks their first leading role.

Going from ensemble member to principal was “a little nerve-racking at first,” admits Dantes, an eighth grade student at Hawthorn Middle School South.

“In the beginning, I was so scared. I wasn't sure I'd be able to do all the things the show demanded,” said Dantes, who began studying ballet two years ago after watching an episode of the TV dance competition, “So You Think You Can Dance.” “But after going through the process, even though there are still a lot of things to work on, I've accomplished a lot of things I didn't think I could have.”

Rockwell, who has a knack for eliciting credible, unforced performances from young actors, says Dantes and Halford possess a combination of strength and vulnerability essential for the role of Billy. The part demands a triple-threat performer who can sing, dance and act — and has plenty of stamina.

Dantes and Halford, who will alternate performances, appear in 28 of the show's 30 scenes.

“It is a marathon for those kids, and they've been troupers,” said Rockwell, describing them as “very sweet, disciplined kids” who also happen to be great listeners and exceptional dancers.

That admiration goes both ways.

“I really like Rachel,” said Halford, who has studied ballet for five years and worked with Rockwell in Drury Lane's “Oliver!” and in “The Music Man” at Paramount Theatre in Aurora. “She helps us get the emotional aspect and dive deep into what the choreography means. That's really helpful.”

“She's so nice,” adds Dantes. “She understands kids because she has one of her own.”

The parent-child relationship underscoring “Billy Elliot” resonates deeply for Rockwell and was among the reasons she agreed to helm the show.

“It's about nurturing this boy into the man he will become. As a mother that is something that speaks to me in a big way,” she said.

Dantes said Billy's love of dance drew him in.

“I could relate to him because that's how I felt,” said Dantes, who spends up to four hours a day in the dance studio.

“I really like his passion, his background ... and how he keeps pursuing his dream no matter what,” said Halford. The high school sophomore splits his time between Naperville Central High School, where he is a member of the business club, and Naperville's School of Performing Arts, where he devotes about 25 hours a week to dance.

Both young men hope to make dance a career. Both are keenly aware of the commitment that demands. It's a commitment that doesn't leave much time for other activities, and it means they have to do homework during lunch and on the way to and from rehearsals.

As rehearsals conclude and tech week for “Billy Elliot” looms, everyone begins to feel the strain, which is especially acute, since Drury Lane's production marks the show's regional premiere.

Asked about the mounting pressure, Halford said he tries to stay focused and not let it overwhelm him.

The biggest challenge, said Rockwell, has been readying a production this size in just a few weeks. Recently, they all hit a wall and Rockwell called over Dantes and Halford for a pep talk.

“I told them we can make it over the hump, we're almost there,” she said. “Believe me, we'll get there.”

“Billy Elliot”

<b>Location:</b> Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, (630) 530-0111 or <a href="http://drurylaneoakbrook.com">drurylaneoakbrook.com</a>

<b>Showtimes:</b> 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, 1:30 and 8 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 5 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 6 p.m. Sunday, through June 7

<b>Tickets:</b> $45-$60; senior and student discounts available

<b>Parking:</b> Free adjacent lot and pay valet service