Matthew Hydzik News

Leonard Bernstein would have been 100 years old this year, on August 25th to be precise, and there are literally thousands of commemorative events around the globe including performances of symphonies, operas and ballets, lectures, exhibits, and film and music festivals. Last Friday I attended the McCallum Theatre's commemoration - West Side Story In Concert - and not only was it a spectacular celebration of Bernstein and one of Broadway's greatest musical scores, it was an evening that, once again, raised the barre of excellence for The McCallum Theatre. 

Complete casting has been announced for the McCallum Theatre's exclusive upcoming concert production of West Side Story, which will be presented March 9-11 in Palm Desert, CA. Produced and directed by Chad Hilligus, this limited engagement will feature an onstage 40-piece orchestra under the baton of Grammy-winning conductor Richard Kaufman.   As previously announced, Ali Ewoldt, who currently stars as Christine in Broadway's Phantom of the Opera, will play Maria alongside Matthew Hydzik as Tony and Natalie Cortez as Anita, both of whom appeared in the 2009 Broadway revival of West Side Story.

The McCallum Theatre presents WEST SIDE STORY: IN CONCERT for five performances Friday, March 9 through Sunday, March 11. This classic musical is being exclusively produced by the McCallum Theatre as part of its Leonard Bernstein Centennial Celebration.  The March 9 performance of West Side Story: In Concert is presented through the generosity of Annette Bloch.  The March 10 performance is presented through the generosity of Richard and Julia Heyman.  The March 11 performance is presented through the generosity of Edeltraud and Patrick M. McCarthy. With a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and conception and choreography by Jerome Robbins, West Side Story is one of the most beloved and celebrated musicals in Broadway history.  The original 1957 Broadway production ran for 732 performances and was nominated for six Tony Awards including Best Musical, winning for Best Choreography and Best Scenic Design.  The 1961 musical film, directed by Robert Wise and Robbins, won ten Academy Awards including Best Picture.

Complete casting has been announced for the McCallum Theatre's exclusive upcoming concert production of West Side Story, which will be presented March 9-11 in Palm Desert, CA. Produced and directed by Chad Hilligus, this limited engagement will feature an onstage 40-piece orchestra under the baton of Grammy-winning conductor Richard Kaufman. As previously announced, Ali Ewoldt, who currently stars as Christine in Broadway's Phantom of the Opera, will play Maria alongside Matthew Hydzik as Tony and Natalie Cortez as Anita, both of whom appeared in the 2009 Broadway revival of West Side Story.

Complete casting has been announced for the McCallum Theatre's exclusive upcoming concert production of West Side Story, which will be presented March 9-11 in Palm Desert, CA.

Leonard Bernstein was arguably one of the most versatile musicians the world has ever known. If you are a lover of classical music, you know that his recordings and compositions were the stuff legend is made of; and if you are a musical theatre geek, you know that Bernstein wrote some of the most innovative and genre-merging theatrical scores that still have not been topped to this day.

Some of Broadway's brightest stars will come together tonight, September 22, at 8 p.m. for Bernstein on Broadway, a one-night-only performance celebrating the indelible and lasting impact Leonard Bernstein's work had on American culture through the Broadway stage.

STAGES St. Louis ends their season with an wonderfully mounted production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC. It's a classic musical absolutely filled to the brim with memorable songs, many of which have become standards. In fact, you'll likely find yourself humming any number of them as you head home after the show. Then there are the social issues that this Pulitzer prize winning drama tackles, which were groundbreaking for their time, yet still retain their impact today. Sadly, issues concerning race and acceptance have only intensified in our current volatile and divisive environment. Sparked by an excellent cast, this is an incredibly touching testament to the power this work still wields.

One of the most powerful musicals of all time, South Pacific triumphantly returns to STAGES for the first time in 25 years. Running September 8th through October 8th at the Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood, join STAGES for a timeless tale in the South Pacific and take a peak backstage with these exclusive photos to see how the cast enjoys their time behind the scenes of Bali Ha'i!

One of the most powerful musicals of all time, South Pacific triumphantly returns to STAGES for the first time in 25 years. Running now through October 8th at the Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood, South Pacific will close STAGES' 31st Season with a timeless tale of love and loss. BroadwayWorld is excited to share footage from the show in the video below!

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts launches the year-long international centennial celebration of Leonard Bernstein with the opening weekend of Leonard Bernstein at 100.

Matthew Hydzik (West Side Story, Side Show, It Shoulda Been You, Grease), Ali Ewoldt(Phantom of the Opera, The King and I, Les Miserables) and Natalie Cortez (West Side Story, A Chorus Line) will headline a special concert version of West Side Story for five performances only,March 9-11, 2018 at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, CA. Produced and directed by Chad Hilligus, this exclusive McCallum Theatre production of West Side Story: IN CONCERT will feature an on-stage 40-piece orchestra under the baton of Grammy-winning conductor Richard Kaufman and an all-star cast reuniting from the Broadway and National Tour companies of this iconic musical.

One of the most powerful musicals of all time, South Pacific triumphantly returns to STAGES for the first time in 25 years. Running September 8th through October 8th at the Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood, South Pacific will close STAGES' 31st Season with a timeless tale of love and loss. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

One of the most powerful musicals of all time, South Pacific triumphantly returns to STAGES for the first time in 25 years. Running September 8th through October 8th at the Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood, South Pacific will close STAGES' 31st Season with a timeless tale of love and loss. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast in costume!

One of the most powerful musicals of all time, South Pacific triumphantly returns to STAGES for the first time in 25 years. Running tonight, September 8th, through October 8th at the Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood, South Pacific will close STAGES' 31st Season with a timeless tale of love and loss.

One of the most powerful musicals of all time, South Pacific triumphantly returns to STAGES for the first time in 25 years. Running September 8th through October 8th at the Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood, South Pacific will close STAGES' 31st Season with a timeless tale of love and loss. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast in costume!

One of the most powerful musicals of all time, South Pacific triumphantly returns to STAGES for the first time in 25 years. Running September 8th through October 8th at the Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood, South Pacific will close STAGES' 31st Season with a timeless tale of love and loss.

STAGES St. Louis is proud to announce casting for its blockbuster 31st Season: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, 9 to 5, The Musical, and South Pacific. According to Artistic Director Michael Hamilton, this season's exceptional talent "explores the triumphant powers of family, friendship, loyalty, and community in an ever challenging world." STAGES also announces the cast for its Theatre for Young Audiences production, the fantastical family adventure, Seussical. All subscription and single tickets are on sale now.

For regular theatergoers, it isn't often that a performance will stand out over the years as one not to be forgotten. Pioneer Theatre Company's triumphant concert version of CHESS (running for three performances only) is one of these.

Pioneer Theatre Company continues its popular concert series with Chess, written by members of the pop music group ABBA, running for three performances only, March 10 - March 11, 2017 at Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre.