WEST SIDE STORY Begins Pre-Broadway Run at DC's National Tonight 12/15 2008/12/15

This spring, WEST SIDE STORY returns to Broadway in a groundbreaking new production. Tonight it returns to where it all began for the show in 1957, the National Theatre in Washington, DC. WEST SIDE STORY will play a limited engagement at the National through January 17th, 2009.

The producers of WEST SIDE STORY have assembled a dynamic cast for the new Broadway production. The cast of 37 will star 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" will 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. She created the role of Amber Von Tussle in the Argentinean production of Hairspray and the title role in Cinderella. Miss Scaglione is a classically trained opera singer who has received critical acclaim appearing as a soloist in the nation's most prestigious concert halls.

WEST SIDE STORY 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 Madeline Cintron, 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, Yurel Echezaretta, Manuel Herrera, Yanira Marin, Mileyka Mateo, Kat Nejat, Christian Elan Ortez, Michael Rosen, Manuel Santos, Michaeljon Slinger and Tanairi Sade Vazquez as "The Sharks."

Directed by multiple Tony Award winner and author of the musical Arthur Laurents, WEST SIDE STORY will feature scenic designs by James Youmans (Gypsy), costumes by Tony Award nominee David C. Woolard (The Farnsworth Invention, The Who's Tommy), lighting by Tony Award winner Howell Binkley (Gypsy, Jersey Boys), hair by Mark Adam Rampmeyer (The Farnsworth Invention) and sound design by Tony Award nominee Dan Moses Schreier (Gypsy, A Catered Affair). The original Jerome Robbins choreography will be reproduced by Tony Award nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).

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.

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.

Tickets for the pre-Broadway engagement at Washington D.C.'s National Theatre are currently on sale through Telecharge.com (212- 239-6200). Broadway preview performances will be Monday through Saturday at 8 p.m., Wednesday and Saturday at 2 p.m. Beginning the week of March 23, performances will be Tuesday at 7 p.m., Wednesday - Saturday at 8 p.m., Wednesday and Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. D.C. Ticket prices are $121.50 - 46.50.

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WEST SIDE STORY producers announced today the recoupment of the show's $14 million investment after running only 30 Weeks (247 performances). The smash hit revival opened on Broadway Thursday, March 19, 2009 and began previews Monday, February 23, 2009 at the Palace Theatre, where it holds the house record for highest weekly gross. A national tour of this production of WEST SIDE STORY will begin in the fall of 2010.

Photo Coverage: WEST SIDE STORY Receives Equity's Award for Outstanding Broadway Chorus
Cast members of WEST SIDE STORY received Actors' Equity Association's Third Annual Advisory Committee on Chorus Affairs (ACCA) Award for Outstanding Broadway Chorus. The award, which honors the distinctive talents and contributions made by the chorus of a Broadway musical, was presented in a special ceremony at the September 22nd ACCA meeting at Actors' Equity Association (Equity) headquarters in New York City.