'Billy Elliot' — Early front-runner at next year's Tonys

"Billy Elliot" just took a giant leap forward in next year's Tony Awards race for best musical.

Entertainment Weekly declares the new Broadway show with music by Elton John to be "a rough-around-the-edges charmer with talent and ambition to spare, one that grabs you by the scruff of your neck (and your heartstrings) and will not let go until the final curtain." Variety says the "big-hearted," high-stepping show is "a winner."

The British stage production of "Billy Elliot" proved to be a true winner in 2006 when it swept the Olivier Awards, even dancing off with four prizes -- including best musical -- out of nine nominations. Of course, it was based upon the 2000 movie that won awards for best British film from BAFTA, the British Independent Film Awards and the London Film Critics Circle. It was nominated for best drama picture at the Golden Globes (losing to "Gladiator") and scored three Oscar bids: best director (Stephen Daldry), screenplay (Lee Hall) and supporting actress (Julie Walters). Daldry helms the new Broadway show too, and Hall not only adapts his script, but writes the words to Elton John's new songs.

What can beat "Billy Elliot" at the Tonys next June? Theater critics loved "[Title of Show]" — an avant-garde musical about writing a musical — but audiences didn't. It closed last month. "13" is still running, but doesn't look Tonys-worthy, frankly. "Shrek" opens soon, but Broadway shows based upon popular animated musical films haven't done well at the awards in recent years — like "The Little Mermaid" and "Tarzan."

Check out the L.A. Times photo gallery on the "Billy Elliot" Broadway show HERE. Below, some scenes from the British stage production:

Photo: Imperial Theatre