West Side Story: Matthew Hydzik is Broadway's new 'Tony' from 15 Dec

Matthew Hydzik will assume the role of 'Tony' in West Side Story beginning 15 Dec 2009. The actor has understudied the role since performances of the musical began on 23 Feb 2009 at Broadway's Palace Theatre. Hydzik assumes the role from Matt Cavenaugh who plays his final performance on 13 Dec 2009.

Jeremy Jordan (Rock of Ages) will play the role of 'Tony' on Wednesday evenings and Sunday matinees.

Matthew Hydzik was most recently seen as 'Kenickie' in Broadway's 'Grease.' Other roles include 'Marc/Roger' in the 'Rent' tour, 'Nick' in 'Fame', 'Slim' in 'Cowboy Mouth,' and 'Danny' in Grease at 'NCT' and 'Marriott Lincolnshire.'

Jeremy Jordan comes directly from the Broadway cast of Rock of Ages. Regional: 'The Little Dog Laughed' at Hartford Theatreworks and 'Big River' at Goodspeed. NY: 'Sing, But Don't Tell' and 'The Greenwood Tree.'

The Broadway revival of West Side Story, directed by Arthur Laurents, opened at the Palace Theatre on 19 Mar 2009, following previews from 23 Feb and is currently selling tickets through to 30 May 2010.

West Side Story transports the tale of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet to the turbulent streets of the Upper West Side in 1950's New York City. Two star-crossed lovers, Tony and Maria, find themselves caught between the rival street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds, the "Jets" and the "Sharks." The musical tells of their struggle to exist together in a world of violence, hate and prejudice.

The musical opened to mainly good reviews: "It snaps, it crackles, it pops!" (New York Post); "by far the best revival any of us will get in our lifetime. See it and cherish it." (Bloomberg); "it's still a wonderful show" (NewsDay); "as relevant and groundbreaking as the first production" (Back Stage); "this masterwork has been given the revival it deserves" (Variety).

The cast currently features Matt Cavenaugh (Tony), Karen Olivo (Anita), John Arthur Greene (Riff), George Akram (Bernardo), Josefina Scaglione (Maria), Steve Bassett (Lt. Schrank), Kyle Brenn (Boy Soprano), Joshua Buscher (Diesel), Mike Cannon (Snowboy), Kyle Coffman (A-Rab), Joey Haro (Chino), Eric Hatch (Big Deal), Curtis Holbrook (Action), Michael Mastro (Glad Hand), Danielle Polanco (Consuela), Jennifer Sanchez (Rosalia), Lee Sellars (Krupke), Tro Shaw (Anybodys), Ryan Steele (Baby John) and Greg Vinkler (Doc).

Directed by multiple Tony Award winner and author of the musical Arthur Laurents,West Side Story features scenic designs by James Youmans, costumes by David C. Woolard, lighting by Howell Binkley and sound design by Dan Moses Schreier. Tony Award nominee Joey McKneely recreates Jerome Robbins's original choreography. (Robbins died in 1998.)

West Side Story is written by two-time Tony Award winner Arthur Laurents (book) and multiple Tony and Grammy Award winners Leonard Bernstein (music) and Stephen Sondheim (lyrics).

The Bernstein and Sondheim score features such classics of the American musical theatre as "Something's Coming," "Tonight," "America," "I Feel Pretty" and "Somewhere."

The revival is produced by Kevin McCollum, James L. Nederlander, Jeffrey Seller with Terry Allen Kramer, Sander Jacobs, Freddy DeMann, Roy Furman, Robyn Goodman / Walter Grossman, Hal Luftig, Roy Miller and Broadway Across America.

West Side Story had its Broadway premiere in 1957, and was directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins. The production earned Robbins a Tony Award for Best Choreography.

The show was revived on Broadway in 1960, 1964 and 1980. Except for the 1964 revival, which was directed by Gerald Freedman, all previous Broadway productions were directed by Jerome Robbins and featured his original choreography.