Billy Elliot the Musical Judges Select Winner of Fidelity FutureStage Playwriting Contest

Edie Falco, Reba McEntire, Marisa Tomei,...

By Dan Bacalzo • Jun 10, 2009 • New York

Elton John and Madeline Hendricks
(© Lyn Hughes)

A panel of judges representing the Tony Award-winning Billy Elliot the Musical -- including Lee Hall (book), Jon Finn (producer), B.T. McNicholl (resident director), and 2009 Tony Award winner Gregory Jbara -- along with Fidelity FutureStage Finale Director Michael Bush have selected 17-year-old Madeline Hendricks as the winner of the Fidelity FutureStage Playwriting Contest.

Hendricks will have her play produced in an invitation-only event by Billy Elliot's Tony-winning creative team at Broadway's Imperial Theater on June 15, hosted by Queen Latifah. She was also congratulated by the musical's composer Elton John, who is an honorary chairperson of Fidelity FutureStage.

The contest was created to give students throughout the NYC metro area encouragement and opportunity to participate in the theater arts. Students were invited to write a 10-minute, one-act play reflecting one of the themes from the story of Billy Elliot: fulfilling a dream, discovering a special talent, or overcoming adversity.

Hendricks play, Driver's Education, is a comedic character study about a chatty cab driver, his daughter, and some interesting passengers who teach them important life lessons. It will be performed by Gregg Edelman, Georgi James, Heidi Blickenstaff, and Heather Ayers.

For more information, visit www.FutureStage.com.