Matthew Hydzik Tapped to Play Tony in West Side Story

Matthew Hydzik will officially take over the role of doomed lover Tony in Broadway’s current revival of classic musical West Side Story on December 15. Hydzik replaces original leading man Matt Cavenaugh, who plays his final performance at the Palace Theatre on December 13. Hydzik has served as Cavenaugh’s standby since the production began performances in February 2009.

In addition to Hydzik, Jeremy Jordan (Rock of Ages, Grease) will join West Side Story to play Tony on Wednesday evenings and Sunday matinees.

West Side Story continues to star Josefina Scaglione, Tony Award winner Karen Olivo, John Arthur Greene and George Akram. The production also features Steve Bassett as Lt. Schrank, Mike Cannon as Snowboy, Kyle Coffman as A-Rab, Joey Haro as Chino, Eric Hatch as Big Deal, Curtis Holbrook as Action, Michael Mastro as Glad Hand, Lee Sellars as Krupke, Tro Shaw as Anybodys, Ryan Steele as Baby John and Greg Vinkler as Doc.

In addition to West Side Story, Hydzik has been seen on Broadway in the 2007 revival of Grease. He has appeared in the national tour of Rent. Regional credits include Fame, Cowboy Mouth and Grease.

The production features a book by Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Sondheim, and includes such classic songs as “Something’s Coming,” “Tonight,” “America,” “I Feel Pretty” and “Somewhere.” The musical transports the tale of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to the streets of the Upper West Side in 1950s New York City. Star-crossed lovers Tony and Maria find themselves caught between the rival street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds, the Jets and the Sharks. West Side Story brings to life their struggle to exist together in a world of violence, hate and prejudice.