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About the Show
Billy Elliot’s Ben Cook, who stars as Michael, the best friend of the hit musical’s title character, loves life on the road. The young actor, who appears in Billy Elliot when the show comes to Cincinnati January 17 and Pittsburgh on January 3, has found ways to make touring feel like home.
"I really like being on the road," Cook recently told the Maryland Theatre Guide. "It’s fun seeing all the different cities and making people across the country happy." The actor, who says he relates to his "goofball" character, has found comfort in the company of his co-stars. "Being on tour is like having another family, and that’s great too, because what I miss the most is not being with my family at home."
He has learned a lot in his journey to the role of the tap-dancing, cross-dressing comic character. Cook, who began in the ensemble of the show before being tapped to play Michael, explains how he's grown: “ My dancing has gotten better as I’ve done it. You have a different audience every night." Cook notes that there are many skills needed to be a kid on tour, "You have to be mature," he explains. "You have to know how to work well with adults, not just kids."
