Matt Cavenaugh to Exit West Side Story in December

Matt Cavenaugh, currently starring as Tony in the Broadway revival of West Side Story, will exit the production at the conclusion of his contract in December. The actor will play his final performance in the Leonard Bernstein/Arthur Laurents/Stephen Sondheim masterpiece at the Palace Theatre on December 13. A replacement will be announced in the next week or so, a production spokesperson told Broadway.com.

"I want to thank the producers and the entire creative team, especially [director/scribe] Arthur [Laurents], for the opportunity to play the iconic role that inspired me (and countless others) to pursue a career in the theater," Cavenaugh said in a statement. "I have been blessed to work with such an incredible cast, who sweat blood and tears every night, to honor and share one of the greatest musicals ever written to a devoted and loving audience."

In addition to West Side Story, Cavenaugh's Broadway credits include A Catered Affair, Grey Gardens and Urban Cowboy. His regional credits include productions of Palm Beach, Carousel, 2 Lives, Anything Goes, Dorian, Princesses and john and jen.

Following West Side Story, Cavenaugh is slated to star in a pilot of a new musical comedy, currently in development. Also in development is a concert series with his wife, actress Jenny Powers (Happiness, Grease), featuring the music of Leonard Bernstein.

West Side Story continues to star Josefina Scaglione, Karen Olivo, John Arthur Greene and George Akram.