West Side Story Makes a Dream Come True for One Very Special Fan

The Broadway revival of West Side Story made a dream come true on February 3, when it helped the Make a Wish Foundation celebrate its 8,000th wish granted. Fourteen-year-old Broadway fan and Queens native Elijah's dream came true when the teen and his family were treated to a matinee performance of the musical at the Palace Theatre. Following the fall of West Side Story's curtain, Elijah was whisked backstage for a private meeting with the cast and crew, who snapped photos and answered questions with their VIP guest before Tony Award winner Karen Olivo presented him with a variety of autographed souvenirs, including a special WSS sweatshirt inscribed with the words "Future Director." As a special surprise, leading man Matthew Hydzik, currently starring as Tony, even joined Elijah and his family for a post-matinee dinner at famed Theater District restaurant Sardi's.
The Make-a-Wish Foundation of Metro New York is an organization that grants the wishes of children diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich their lives with hope, strength and joy. Click through to see how Make-a-Wish and West Side Story put a smile on a deserving face!

Photos by The Make-a-Wish Foundation