BWW TV: Broadway Beat Special Sneak - WEST SIDE STORY Opens on Broadway!

West Side Story returned to Broadway in a new production directed by its two-time Tony Award winning librettist Arthur Laurents. West Side Story opened at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) on Thursday, March 19, 2009. Broadway Beat and BWW were there to cover every exciting moment of Opening Night-get ready to "rumble" with this Sneak Peek!

West Side Story is written by three theatrical luminaries: two-time Tony Award winner Arthur Laurents (book) and multiple Tony and Grammy Award winners Leonard Bernstein (music) and Stephen Sondheim (lyrics) in his Broadway debut. The original Jerome Robbins choreography has been restaged by Tony Award nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).

The cast of 46 is led by Matt Cavenaugh (A Catered Affair, Grey Gardens) as "Tony," Karen Olivo (In the Heights) as "Anita," Cody Green (Movin' Out) as "Riff" and George Akram (The Farrelly's Stuck on You) as "Bernardo." The role of "Maria" is be played by Broadway newcomer Josefina Scaglione. The 21 year old actress comes directly, by special arrangement with Actors' Equity Association, from Buenos Aires after an exhaustive international search for the role.

Tickets for West Side Story at Broadway's Palace Theatre are currently on sale at www.tickemaster.com, by calling 212-307-4100 or visiting the Palace Theatre box office.

Sneak Peek edited by Craig Brockman