Billy Elliott Live from Skokie

For one day, Billy Elliot traded his ballet shoes for fashionable polo shirt, jeans and jacket as he strutted the catwalk at a Saturday fashion event in Skokie.

Myles Erlick, the "newest Billy" in the Tony Award-winning Billy Elliot the Musical, joined the show's cast members to launch back-to-school fashion at Bloomingdale's in Westfield Old Orchard Mall.

The mid-morning program in the department store's children's section, also allowed Broadway in Chicago producers to promote the show in the North Shore area.

"It's a great way for us to show off our young cast of Billy Elliot," said Ryan Kasprzak, actor and dance captain of the show.

Four young actors, ages 12-14 currently play the role of Billy, on a rotating basis, said Kasprzak, who hosted the event.

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"To see a kid go through that experience and to share his joy of dancing is a really magical experience," said Kasprzak, an alumnus of the Fox TV show, So You Think You Can Dance. 

Eleven-year-old Erlick from Ontario, Canada, averred: "It's a really fun show and it is a great experience for everyone." Erlick said the lead role requires "big-time stamina" because of the numerous dance numbers involved.

The musical, based on a 2000 movie, revolves around a young Billy and his struggles as a motherless child in England.  It premiered in London in 2005 and in New York in 2008, being greeted with critical acclaim and box-office success.

In Chicago, the show is currently playing at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre through Jan. 15. Individual tickets range from $30-100.

Kasprzak said a portion of the ticket sales of the evening performances from Sept. 28-30 will benefit Common Threads, an organization that teaches children proper nutrition.

Bloomingdale's representative Mimi Clark said customers can register until Sept. 30 to win tickets to the musical. See the concierge for official rules and details.

Other cast members who participated in the fashion event were Spencer Milford, Keean Johnson, Madison Barnes, Jaclyn Ruggiero, Brionna Trilling and Alexandra Dell'Edera.

For more ticket information, check online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com.