The musical Billy Elliot is in Ottawa featuring some young talent

The National Arts Centre in Ottawa is home this week to the touring Broadway musical "Billy Elliot". At the heart of the production is a cast of kids with some major talent.

It's the story of a boy with a passion for dance growing up in a small British mining town. The score for this Tony Award winning musical was written by Elton John.

The lead role is a demanding job, especially for a 13 year old. Noah Parets from Massachusetts is one of 4 boys who take turns as Billy.

"I saw the musical on Broadway when I was 11 and I thought maybe I could do that." says Parets.

More than 25-hundred boys in the U-S have tried-out for the role. For Parets, it was his first ever audition.

During an average week the cast of kids do 15 hours of schoolwork, on top of the hours in rehearsal and dance classes.

Despite the long hours many of the young performers say they are still having fun.

This production of Billy Elliot runs in Ottawa until Sunday, January 6^th. There are still tickets available.

CTV's Natalie Pierosara goes backstage with some of the young cast members tonight at six.