Mark Zimmerman News

The smash hit revival of WEST SIDE STORY celebrated its first anniversary on Friday, March 19, 2010, at Broadway's Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) having begun previews Monday, February 23, 2009, and opened Thursday, March 19, 2009. Karen Olivo won a 2009 Tony Award for her performance as 'Anita,' and the new Broadway cast album won the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album. WEST SIDE STORY recouped its $14 million investment after running only 30 weeks (247 performances), and a touring production is set to tour North America beginning in the fall of 2010.

The smash hit revival of WEST SIDE STORY celebrates its first anniversary on Friday, March 19, 2010, at Broadway's Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) having begun previews Monday, February 23, 2009, and opened Thursday, March 19, 2009.

The smash hit revival of WEST SIDE STORY celebrates its first anniversary on Friday, March 19, 2010, at Broadway's Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) having begun previews Monday, February 23, 2009, and opened Thursday, March 19, 2009.

The new Broadway cast album of 'West Side Story' has picked up the 2010 Grammy for Best Musical Show Album. The announcement was made during the Grammy Awards' pre-telecast ceremony held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, January 31. The creative team behind the 'West Side Story' new Broadway cast album is Leonard Bernstein, composer; Stephen Sondheim, lyricist. David Caddick & David Lai produced the album which was released by Masterworks Broadway.

The producers of WEST SIDE STORY are proud to announce that 2009 Tony Award winner Karen Olivo and 2009 Tony Award nominee Josefina Scaglione have both renewed their contracts with the show to continue with WEST SIDE STORY into 2010.

The smash hit Broadway production of WEST SIDE STORY broke the box office record at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) two weeks in a row.

Matthew Hydzik officially took over the role of 'Tony,' beginning Tuesday, December 15. After having understudied the role since performances began on Broadway on Monday, February 23, 2009 at Broadway's Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway), Mr. Hydzik will star as 'Tony' opposite Tony Award nominee Josefina Scaglione. Jeremy Jordan (Rock of Ages) will play the role of 'Tony' on Wednesday evenings and Sunday matinees.

The smash hit revival of WEST SIDE STORY announced today that Matthew Hydzik will officially take over the role of 'Tony,' beginning Tuesday, December 15. After having understudied the role since performances began on Broadway on Monday, February 23, 2009 at Broadway's Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway), Mr. Hydzik will star as 'Tony' opposite Tony Award nominee Josefina Scaglione. Jeremy Jordan (Rock of Ages) will play the role of 'Tony' on Wednesday evenings and Sunday matinees.

The 21st Annual GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION announced an all time record total of $4,630,695 had been raised by the 60 participating Broadway, Off-Broadway, and National Tour companies to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. This year's total breaks the previous record when $3,927,000 was raised for the 2007 GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION.

The smash hit revival of WEST SIDE STORY announced today that Matthew Hydzik will officially take over the role of 'Tony,' beginning Tuesday, December 15. After having understudied the role since performances began on Broadway on Monday, February 23, 2009 at Broadway's Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway), Mr. Hydzik will star as 'Tony' opposite Tony Award nominee Josefina Scaglione. Jeremy Jordan (Rock of Ages) will play the role of 'Tony' on Wednesday evenings and Sunday matinees.

Actors' Equity Association (Equity) announced today that John P. Connolly will not seek a second term as the Executive Director of the Union.

James J. Claffey, Jr, President of Local One of the International Alliance of Theatrical Employees, will be honored by St. Malachy's - the Actors' Chapel, at the Father George Moore Benefit Dinner at Sardi's, 234 West 44th Street, on Monday, September 14, at 6:00pm.

The smash hit revival of WEST SIDE STORY announced today that slight changes have been implemented into the current Broadway production at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway at 47th Street). 'A Boy Like That' is now predominately sung in English to the original lyrics and selected dialogue and lyrics in 'I Feel Pretty' have reverted to English. The changes went into effect last Thursday, August 20, 2009.

Matt Cavenaugh, Tony in Broadway's West Side Story, and Jenny Powers, the co-star of LCT's recent musical Happiness, are getting married in Boston today, August 23rd, at the Gate of Heaven Catholic Church in Boston. The Rev. Lawrence J. Drennan, a Roman Catholic priest, is to perform the ceremony.

James J. Claffey, Jr, President of Local One of the International Alliance of Theatrical Employees, will be honored by St. Malachy's - the Actors' Chapel, at the Father George Moore Benefit Dinner at Sardi's, 234 West 44th Street, on Monday, September 14, at 6:00pm.

WEST SIDE STORY has a new 'Riff' in John Arthur Greene. The actor, already making his Broadway debut as a swing in the show, takes over the role from Cody Green. Greene played his first official performance in the role last night, August 4th.

Theatre legend Arthur Laurents, currently represented on Broadway as both the Librettist and Director of the revival of WEST SIDE STORY, discusses his long-time partnership, new play and career with The Guardian.

Sony Masterworks proudly presented the recent release of the New Broadway Cast Recording of WEST SIDE STORY. The recording became available nationwide on June 2, 2009. The official opening of WEST SIDE STORY, which took place at the Palace Theatre in New York City on Thursday, March 19, 2009, has been greeted with great critical acclaim and sold-out performances. The opening followed a pre-Broadway engagement at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C., where the musical made its original world premiere in 1957.

Hollywood royalty Steven Spielberg and Billy Crystal visited backstage with stars Matt Cavenaugh, Josefina Scaglione, Tony Award winner Karen Olivo, Cody Green, George Akram, Curtis Holbrook, and the entire cast of Broadway's WEST SIDE STORY after catching the show last night, Tuesday July 14th.

The events in honor of the late Broadway actor/singer George 'Best' Costacos are continuing in his native Greece on the beautiful island of Aegina, where George was laid to rest last November. The first George 'Best' Costacos Memorial Marathon will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2009.