Tony awards 2009: Billy Elliot's big night on Broadway

David Alvarez, Kiril Kulish and Trent Kowalik, who share the role of Billy Elliot, were joint winners for best performance by a leading actor in a musical Photograph: Peter Foley/EPA

Trent Kowalik performs at the 63rd annual Tony awards, which were held at New York's Radio City Music Hall Photograph: Andrew H Walker/Getty Images

David Alvarez performs during the opening number of the awards. Sir Elton John (twinkling the ivories in the background) failed to win a Tony for best original score, as the award went to the musical Next to Normal Photograph: Gary Hershorn/Reuters

Gregory Jbara, who plays Billy's dad, is accompanied by his wife as he accepts the Tony for best performance by a featured actor in a musical Photograph: Gary Hershorn/Reuters

Stephen Daldry picks up his Tony award for best direction of a musical. Daldry also directed the film of Billy Elliot Photograph: Gary Hershorn/Reuters

The haul of Tony awards seals a spectacular run for the musical, which opened in the West End back in 2005 Photograph: Andrew H Walker/Getty Images

The musical had its premiere on Broadway in November 2008 Photograph: Gary Hershorn/Reuters

Tears and smiles for the Billy boys. The musical took 10 awards: best musical, best book of a musical (Lee Hall), best performance by a leading actor in a musical (David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish), best performance by a featured actor in a musical (Gregory Jbara), best direction of a musical (Stephen Daldry), best choreography (Peter Darling), best orchestrations (Martin Koch), best scenic design of a musical (Ian MacNeil), best lighting design of a musical (Rick Fisher) and best sound design of a musical (Paul Arditti) Photograph: Gary Hershorn/Reuters

Sir Elton John was among the onstage crowd to receive the best musical award. 'Thank you for accepting us so beautifully on Broadway,' he said. 'We came here at a hard time economically. You opened up your wallets and you opened up your hearts to us. And we love you for it. Thank you.' Photograph: Gary Hershorn/Reuters

Billy Elliot's actors take to the stage at the Tony awards alongside the casts of West Side Story, Hair, Shrek, Rock of Ages, Pal Joey and 9 to 5 Photograph: Andrew H Walker/Getty Images