playbill vip

"Billy Elliot" is a Broadway musical that artfully touches its audiences with the themes of dignity and freedom. The character of Billy, a young boy with a passion for ballet in a small British mining town, showcases his pursuit of personal freedom despite societal expectations. His determination to pursue his dream without his family's and his village's approval and express himself through dance, highlights his drive for freedom as an individual. The musical underscores how the pursuit of one's passions and the courage to break free from societal norms can be an empowering testament to both dignity and freedom.

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The musical takes place during the 1984 miners' strike in a small village in Northern England. The 1984 Miner's Strike is often remembered as a symbol of the struggle between organized labor and the government because it was a significant and highly contentious labor dispute that lasted for a year, from March 1984 to March 1985.

These small communities of miners and their families stood up for their livelihoods and the dignity of their profession. The strike was a response to the government's plans to close numerous coal mines, which threatened the jobs and communities that relied on mining. By refusing to back down and fighting for their rights, miners valued their dignity and asserted the value of their labor and commitment to their jobs. The strike symbolized the miners' refusal to be marginalized and their determination to preserve their sense of worth and pride in their work, even in the face of economic and political challenges.

Theatre on Main Street's mission is to bring communities together by selecting productions which speak to the stories and lives of the Hudson Valley residents it serves.  A large number of our residents are members of unions, and their lives are impacted by the benefits that come with "Solidarity". Additionally, a portion of the proceeds from our productions are donated to organizations whose missions align with our over riding themes of giving to "those who protect" and "those who need protection". A portion of the proceeds from Billy Elliot will go to Tunnels to Towers Foundation, a non-profit organization with a mission to support the families of fallen first responders and catastrophically injured veterans.  The tragedy of 911 impacted many of the families and residents of the Hudson Valley specifically, and we are humbled by their sacrifice.