Matt Cavenaugh, Karen Olivo to Star in West Side Story; Full Cast Set

Matt Cavenaugh and Karen Olivo have been tapped to play Tony and Anita in the upcoming Broadway revival of West Side Story alongside Argentinean newcomer Josefina Scaglione as Maria, Venezuelan newcomer George Akram as Bernardo and Step It Up and Dance winner Cody Green as Riff. After a pre-Broadway engagement at Washington DC’s National Theater from December 15-January 17, the musical will begin previews at the Palace Theatre on February 23, with opening night set for March 19, directed by its author, Arthur Laurents.

The cast of 37 will also feature Steve Bassett as Lt. Schrank, Kyle Brenn as Boy Soprano, Joshua Buscher as Diesel, 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 Danielle Polanco as Consuela, Jennifer Sanchez as Rosalia, Lee Sellars as Krupke, Tro Shaw as Anybodys, Ryan Steele as Baby John, Greg Vinkler as Doc, along with Lindsay Dunn, Matthew Hydzik, Marina Lazzaretto, Chase Madigan, Kaitlin Mesh, Pamela Otterson, Sam Rogers and Amy Ryerson as The Jets and Isaac Calpito, Haley Carlucci, Peter John Chursin, Madeline Cintron, Yurel Echezaretta, Manuel Herrera, Yanira Marin, Mileyka Mateo, Kat Nejat, Christian Elán Ortiz, Michael Rosen, Manuel Santos, Michaeljon Slinger and Tanairi Sade Vazquez as The Sharks.

In addition to Laurents’ book, West Side Story features music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The original Jerome Robbins choreography will be reproduced by Joey McKneely The Boy from Oz, The Life. Featuring such classic songs as "Something's Coming," "Tonight," "America," "I Feel Pretty" and "Somewhere," West Side Story transports the tale of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet to the turbulent 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. Laurents had previously announced that the revival will selectively weave Spanish throughout both the book and songs.

Cavenaugh most recently starred as Ralph in the Broadway production of A Catered Affair and has appeared on Broadway in Grey Gardens and Urban Cowboy. His regional credits include productions of Palm Beach, Carousel, 2 Lives, Anything Goes, Dorian, Princesses and john and jen.

Scaglione, a native of Buenos Aires, created the role of Amber Von Tussle in the Argentinean premiere of Hairspray. A 21-year-old trained opera singer, she has appeared in productions Cinderella, Annie and Fame and has performed as a soloist in many of the nation’s most prestigious concert halls. Her casting in West Side Story is the result of an international talent search.

Olivo created the role of Vanessa in In the Heights and has appeared on Broadway in Rent and Brooklyn and in the Hair 40th anniversary concert.

Green, who won the Bravo TV reality show Step It Up and Dance, was featured in the Broadway revival of Grease and appeared on Broadway in Movin’ Out and in the national tour of Mamma Mia!. He will be a featured dancer in the upcoming films The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Center Stage 2. Akram, a native of Caracas, Venezuela, began performing at age six and moved to the United States at 17. He has performed alongside artists such as Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin, Celia Cruz, Alejandro Sanz.

West Side Story will feature scenic designs by James Youmans, costumes by David C. Woolard, lighting by Howell Binkley, hair by Mark Adam Rampmeyer and sound design by Dan Moses Schreier.

West Side Story 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.