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Alex Ko: The New Billy Elliot on Broadway is Asian!

By Jen | Thursday, September 10, 2009 | 9 Comments

Alex Jete 417x600 300x431 Alex Ko: The New Billy Elliot on Broadway is Asian!Thirteen year old Alex Ko has been named to be the new Billy Elliot on Broadway. A gifted dancer and half Chinese-American, Alex Ko is set to become the first Asian-American Billy Elliot in the Broadway production of the Elton John musical. Yes, even Asian boys can dream of being Billy Elliot!

When Stephen Daldry, the director of the musical and movie, was asked about colorblind casting the role of Billy Elliot with a black or Asian Billy, he was quoted as saying, “It’s an interesting question. I hope audiences aren’t taken aback. Given the talents of these kids, any doubts about their right to be in the show would be swept away.”

The London production of Billy Elliot was first played by its first non-white Billy by Matthew Koon, whose family is originally from Hong Kong.

I’m excited to hear the reviews of Alex Ko’s performance starting at the beginning of October. Meanwhile, check out his YouTube video of a beautiful solo he dedicates to his father, Sam Ko, who died from liver cancer several years ago.

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Facebook Comments (Beta)

  • LindaChan

    I’m excited as well..kudos to Alex and other AA pioneers!

  • http://www.saturdaymatineeblog.com jolene123

    I’m glad that colorblind casting is more commonplace these days, but sad that it’s still considered a new and progressive idea. It also seems fitting that Billy Elliot would cast a half-Chinese boy as Billy – the storyline of dance not being a career path for a boy may resonate keenly (uncomfortably) with Asian audiences.

  • n_alexko

    Thank you so much for your comments! I can’t wait for everyone to see the show. All my best, Alex.

  • jenc

    merde! thanks for commenting, alex!

  • LouiseBacks

    yeah

  • Pingback: 8Asians.com » Interview with Alex Ko, Broadway’s Billy Elliot

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_HWFXQVG34CTRFXSDXAC6MDCH7M Alda Don

    Just enjoy the show….

  • AJ12

    When can I expect to see a blonde-haired, blue-eyed “Miss Saigon”?

    What about a bone-white Celie in “The Colour Purple”?

    As a community, Asians, especially actors, have long lamented the plight of our forbearers in this industry for loosing Asian roles to Caucasians. I feel no better now that the pendulum has swung the other way.

  • nixxnutz

    I wonder what the general reaction would be if the upcoming revival of Porgy & Bess starred a white man in the leading role.

 
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