Playing it cool

Billy Joel Broadway musical 'Movin' Out' opens Wednesday in Chicago

Darren Holden admits there are still times he gets a little nervous when he knows Billy Joel in the audience while he's onstage in front of a piano singing the famed songwriter's most popular hits.

But one look at Holden's splashy Web site www.darrenholden.com and you see a floating quote by Joel: "It is an honour for me to have you sing my songs."

With five years of Broadway experience and a glowing endorsement from "the Piano Man," Holden doesn't have to worry.

He's one of the original New York Broadway cast members returning to Chicago this week when the popular musical "Movin' Out" returns to Chicago.

The Tony Award-winning musical conceived, choreographed and directed by Twyla Tharp and based on 24 classic songs by Billy Joel, first premiered in Chicago in 2002 before selling out performance after performance on Broadway, is now on national tour.

It opens Wednesday at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University for a limited engagement through July 9.

In addition to Holden, Elizabeth Parkinson and Keith Roberts return to Chicago to reprise their roles as "Brenda" and "Tony". Both were part of the original pre-Broadway and Broadway cast and both received Tony Award nominations for their performances.

Born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, the boyishly charming Holden is showcased in the musical spotlight as the piano man while the story unfolds.

"I have a lot of people who come up to me and say 'oh, wow...you're playing the part of Billy Joel,' " Holden said in a telephone interview last week.

"I have to remind them that this musical isn't Billy Joel's life story told on stage. It's a story of the people mentioned in the lyrics of Billy Joel's songs woven in a story told by dance, song and music."

As Holden explains, audiences recognize the musical's main characters, since they come straight from Joel’s lyrics. For example, there’s Brenda and Eddie from "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant," Tony and Sergeant O’Leary from "Movin’ Out," Judy from "Why, Judy, Why," and James from "James" -- and their story is told completely through dance, with no dialogue whatsoever.

Since so much of the story is told through dance to communicate with the audience, Holden said it's not unusual to see legendary choreographer Tharp in the audience during performances or rehearsals, even during this national tour, to help refine moves and assure the musical continues to unfold smoothly as it moves across country from venue to venue.

Holden is also an accomplished performer who receives critical raves for his own popular selling albums, including his debut solo album "Suddenly" in 1998 and his well-received 2005 single "Through Hell and High Water" dedicated to the Hurricane Katrina victims.

onstage

"Movin' Out" starring Darren Holden, Elizabeth Parkinson and Keith Roberts

When: Wednesday through July 9

Where: Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 East Congress Parkway

Cost: $18 - $80.

FYI: (312) 902-1400 or www.BroadwayInChicago.com