After a long hiatus, Where the Light Lands is back, and we’re returning with a conversation worth the wait! This week, Jason A. Coombs sits down with filmmaker, writer, screenwriter, playwright, and actor Aditya Joshi for an inspiring conversation about building a creative career, embracing new possibilities, and finding the courage to pursue your vision.
Photos: WEST SIDE STORY Back on Broadway - Opening Night Party Pics!
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) last night, Thursday, March 19, 2009. BroadwayWorld.com's cameras were there to cover every exciting moment of Opening Night! Get set to party down with the cast at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers in New York City! To see even more starry first night fun click here!
The original Jerome Robbins choreography has been restaged by Tony Award nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).
Two hours prior to each performance of West Side Story at the Palace Theatre, patrons will be invited to enter a lottery drawing for a limited number of $26.50 tickets to that day's performance. Names will be drawn at random 2 hours prior to curtain.
There will be a limit of two tickets per person and tickets may be purchased using cash only. The lottery seats will be in the first row of the orchestra section. Winners must be present with valid identification at the time of the drawing to purchase their tickets.
The cast of 46 stars 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. West Side Story also features Steve Bassett as "Lt. Schrank," 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," Lee Sellars as "Krupke," Tro Shaw as "Anybodys," Ryan Steele as "Baby John" and Greg Vinkler as "Doc" along with Nicholas Barasch, Kyle Brenn, Joshua Buscher, Isaac Calpito, Haley Carlucci, Peter Chursin, Madeline Cintron, Lindsay Dunn, Yurel Echezarreta, John Arthur Greene, Manuel Herrera, Matthew Hydzik, Marina Lazzaretto, Chase Madigan, Yanira Marin, Mileyka Mateo, Kaitlin Mesh, Angelina Mullins, Kat Nejat, Christian Elán Ortiz, Pamela Otterson, Danielle Polanco, Sam Rogers, Michael Rosen, Amy Ryerson, Jennifer Sanchez, Manuel Santos, Michaeljon Slinger, Tanairi Sade Vazquez and Mark Zimmerman.
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 features 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).
West Side Story is produced by Kevin McCollum, James L. Nederlander, Jeffrey Seller with Terry Allen Kramer, Sander Jacobs, Roy Furman / Jill Furman Willis, Freddy DeMann, Robyn Goodman / Walt Grossman, Hal Luftig, Roy Miller, The Weinstein Company and Broadway Across America.
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. The playing schedule is as follows: Monday through Saturday at 8 p.m., Wednesday and Saturday at 2 p.m. Beginning March 23 - Tuesday at 7 p.m., Wednesday - Saturday at 8 p.m., Wednesday and Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Ticket prices are $121.50 - 46.50.
Photos by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

Michele Esparza and Raul Esparza

Michele Esparza and Raul Esparza

Tom Kitt with guest

Nicholas Barasch

Nicholas Barasch

Kristine Covillo

Yurel Echezarrera

Peter Chursin

Manuel Herrera and Corinne Herrera

Mike Cannon, Angelina Mullins, Kristine Covillo and Greg Vinkler

Yanira Marin with her stylish sister

Patti Murin and Curtis Holbrook

Jenny Powers and Matt Cavenaugh

Jenny Powers and Matt Cavenaugh

Jenny Powers and Matt Cavenaugh

Jenny Powers and Matt Cavenaugh

Jenny Powers and Matt Cavenaugh

George Akram, Karen Olivo, Matt Cavenaugh, Josefina Scaglione and Cody Green

George Akram, Karen Olivo, Matt Cavenaugh, Josefina Scaglione and Cody Green
Breaking Broadway alerts by text
Get the biggest stories sent straight to your phone.
Weekly top stories - unsubscribe anytime.
|
Podcasts
Latinidad in Musical Theatre with Stefan Sittig
In this episode, we talk with Stefan Sittig, director, choreographer, educator, performer, and author of Latinidad in Musical Theatre, about the lasting influence of Latine artists, music, dance, and choreography on the American musical.
This is the second of a three-part program featuring a comprehensive look at some of Broadway’s most illustrious opening numbers, spanning from as far back as SHOWBOAT to more modern productions like NINE and SWEENEY TODD.
Everything Sondheim: Inside the Creation of the Stephen Sondheim Encyclopedia
In this Encore Episode from 2021, author Rick Pender takes us inside the creation of The Stephen Sondheim Encyclopedia. Rick Pender is a longtime member and former chair of the American Theater Critics Association.
Mikaela Secada Brings Her Dream Role to Life in West Side Story at Paper Mill Playhouse!
Mikaela Secada stops by The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to talk about starring in West Side Story at Paper Mill Playhouse. Coming from a family deeply rooted in music, Mikaela shares what it means to carry that legacy forward while carving out a path uniquely her own.
Ep 16: The Golden Age of Broadway, Part 2
The Golden Age of Broadway’s new revolutionary way of writing musicals did not just apply to Musical Plays like those of Rodgers & Hammerstein and Lerner & Loewe. It also transformed the Musical Comedy.
Bill Church Brings Shakespeare, Storytelling & Serious Craft to The Roundtable
We’re thrilled to welcome William Church, Director of Theatre at Interlochen Center for the Arts, to The Roundtable. A powerhouse in arts education and performance, Church is also the founder and artistic director of the Interlochen Shakespeare Festival, a program he launched in 2008 that continues to elevate classical theatre for modern audiences.
BONUS: High School Musical 3 Commentary
It's time to graduate kids!!! We're talking about High School Musical 3 so we'll never have to do it again!
EGOT Legend Rita Moreno Joins My 1000th Show… A Historic Moment For Us!
EGOT winner Rita Moreno joins me for a truly unforgettable milestone—my 1000th show. From her groundbreaking career across film, television, and Broadway to her powerful voice that continues to shape the industry, Rita reflects on a lifetime of artistry, resilience, and impact.
Get ready for a wonderfully nerdy Broadway deep dive! In this episode, host Marc Bonanni of Broadway by Ghostlight sits down with authors Andrew Gerle and Joseph Zellnik to celebrate their dazzling new book The Periodic Table of Broadway Musicals.
#263 Damian Buhagiar - Ensemble of West End's EVITA
Theatre credits include: My Fair Lady; West Side Story (Curve, Leicester); Sister Act (Eventim Apollo/ UK Tour); Grease (UK Tour); Mamma Mia (Novello); Thoroughly Modern Millie (UK Tour); In the Heights (Southwark Playhouse/ King’s Cross); Bugsy Malone (Lyric); Jersey Boys (UK Tour).
"The Elephant in the Room" (w/ Conor & Emilee)
Conor and Emilee return this week to discuss Klaine duets, noses, and of course.. the elephant in the room. Enjoy! Songs this episode include: Baby, It's Cold Outside. Cool. I Feel Pretty/ Unpretty.








































