It’s exciting times in London for a Kent teen who plays the starring role in “Billy Elliot the Musical.”
Adam Vesperman, 13, has lived in London since last April after he earned the leading role for the production at the Victoria Palace Theatre.
“I absolutely love to perform for the audience and bring them emotionally into the story of Billy Elliot,” Vesperman said through a Skype interview with his mother Robyn Vesperman. “There are many different emotions my character goes through during the show from struggle, depression, mourning the loss of his mother, passion for dance, curiosity, happiness, fun and everything in between.”
The show tells an inspirational story about a coal miner’s son who gives up boxing and realizes his ambitions against the odds to become a ballet dancer.
Now Vesperman and the rest of the cast are up for the Laurence Olivier Audience Award.
Vesperman, who was profiled in the Kent Reporter last fall, made his debut July 25 at the 1,500-seat theater. He became the 27th boy and just the sixth American to play the title role in the seventh year of the production.
“This is a highly prestigious award and we are very excited about the nomination,” said Adam’s mother Robyn Vesperman in an email.
Fans, including those in Kent, can vote before April 11 at http://www.olivierawards.com/vote/.
“We wanted to share this great news with our city and encourage them to support Adam and the entire Billy team in their great achievements by voting,” Robyn Vesperman said.
Winners of the BBC Radio 2 Olivier Audience Award will be announced April 15 at the awards show at the Royal Opera House. Billy Elliot is up against three other shows “Jersey Boys,” “Les Misérables,” and “Wicked.”
Vesperman, and the show, have received rave reviews.
“Billy Elliot is a marvelous show and if you get the chance to go and see it, then do – by all means, you will not be disappointed,” said critic Guy Holden of A New Take. “A special mention must also go to the young Adam Vesperman who, for 13, sings and dances to an exceptionally high standard.”
The musical is based on the 2000 film “Billy Elliot.” The production features music by Elton John, lyrics by Lee Hall and is directed by Stephen Daldry with choreography by Peter Darling.
Vesperman performs at least two shows per week as he rotates with three others in the lead role. The cast does eight shows per week.
“Adam will have performed 70 shows to date by the end of March,” his mother said. “He does have a contract extension and will continue on with the show for the foreseeable future.”
Regular fans of the show even gave Vesperman a nickname.
“They named him Seattle Super Hero Vesper-MAN among other things and have been very welcoming and supportive of Adam’s performances as well as all the cast,” Robyn Vesperman said.
The teen’s parents keep up with their son through Skype and a Facebook fan page.
“We continue to visit Adam once per month, alternating mom and dad and he is coming home on average one week every few months until he is done with the role,” his mother said.
Many friends from the Kent area have watched Vesperman perform in London, including members of the dance studio Allegro Performing Arts Academy, where he learned to dance.
“I love it when my family and friends come to see the show,” he said. “Everyone I knew before coming to London lives so far away that I was not sure if anyone besides my family would be able to come.”
Living in London has aided Vesperman while on stage.
“I also think it is very helpful to live within the British culture since Billy Elliot’s setting is in the UK (United Kingdom) and I think it helps my performances be as genuine as possible,” he said. “It is fun to hear and try to learn so many different accents that I hear around London as well as the Geordie accent I use on stage.”
Vesperman does promotional work to encourage visitors to the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London to come see the show when they are in town.
“I wish I could attend many of the events, especially the opening ceremony,” Vesperman said about the Summer Olympics. “But I will probably be working in the show for the majority of the time.”
Daldry, the director of “Billy Elliot the Muscial,” also will oversee opening and closing ceremonies for the Summer Olympics, Vesperman said.
“It is an exciting time there,” Robyn Vesperman said.
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