Character guide
Billy Lawlor
from 42nd Street
Billy Lawlor is the boyish tenor of "42nd Street," the eager young song-and-dance man who becomes Peggy Sawyer's romantic partner in the show-within-the-show.
- Show
- 42nd Street
- Broadway premiere
- 1980
- Role
- Supporting
- Music by
- Harry Warren
Billy Lawlor: from the film to Broadway
Broadway compared with the 1933 film
The biggest change for Billy is who gets the girl. In the 1933 film, where he is credited as Billy Lawler and played by Dick Powell, the juvenile lead falls for Peggy at first sight and finally tells her he loves her. On stage, Peggy's romance shifts to director Julian Marsh, and a kissing scene Billy rehearses with Dorothy Brock is cut because her jealous backer refuses to pay for it. Lee Roy Reams originated Billy on Broadway in 1980.
Young and Healthy is his song in both versions, but the musical gives him more to do, including Dames with the chorus, I Know Now with Dorothy, and a place in We're in the Money.
Who is Billy Lawlor?
Billy is one of the featured performers in the backstage troupe mounting "Pretty Lady," the fictional musical at the heart of "42nd Street." He is young, ambitious, and openly charming, the kind of chorus boy who is clearly on his way to being a star in his own right. His warmth toward newcomer Peggy Sawyer gives the show some of its sweetest, lightest moments amid all the backstage drama.
As a character built around the golden-age Broadway machine that Harry Warren's music evokes, Billy represents the optimistic, showbiz-loves-you-back side of the story, a contrast to the tougher, more cynical veterans around him.
Billy's role in 42nd Street
Billy is a supporting role rather than one of the show's two central figures, but he is a featured one, with real stage time in the big tap numbers and a clear romantic throughline with Peggy. The part calls for a strong tenor voice, sharp tap technique, and an easy, likable stage presence, since Billy needs to charm the audience quickly in relatively few scenes.
Because "42nd Street" leans so heavily on precision ensemble dancing, whoever plays Billy is typically drawn from the strongest dancers in the company, making it a coveted track for triple threats.
Billy Lawlor: frequently asked questions
What show is Billy Lawlor from?
Billy Lawlor is a character in "42nd Street," the 1980 Broadway musical with music by Harry Warren.
Is Billy Lawlor a lead or supporting role?
Billy Lawlor is a supporting role, though a featured one with significant singing and dancing.
What kind of performer plays Billy Lawlor?
The role calls for a strong tenor and an excellent tap dancer, since Billy appears in several of the show's big ensemble numbers.
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