Matthew Hydzik Named West Side Story's New Tony; Cavenaugh Exits Dec. 13

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 2:39pm

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/134973-Matthew-Hydzik-Named-West-Side-Storys-New-Tony-Cavenaugh-Exits-Dec.-13

Well it's finally official.

Jeremy Jordan (Rock of Ages) will play the role of Tony on Wednesday evenings and Sunday matinees.

It also looks like Curtis Holbrook is leaving the production.
West Side Story is also welcoming Wes Hart as Action, Michael Rosen as Chino, Mikey Winslow as Big Deal and Sara Dobbs as Anybodys.

I don't think Hydzik was good enough to become the full time Tony, so I'll be interested in seeing Jordan. Looks like Karen, Josefina, and the rest of the leads definitely renewed.
Updated On: 12/2/09 at 02:39 PM

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 2:42pm

Is Karen still in WSS? I saw her in the audience at "American Idiot" in CA and I noticed she wasn't in the "America" performance for the Macy's parade.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 2:42pm

Hydzik was far from great, but he was a vast improvement over Matt Cavenaugh.

I'm really looking forward to seeing Jeremy Jordan, however.

[wdwfreak]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 2:55pm

I'm so happy for Sara Dobbs, not only do I know her, she was fantastic as Anybodys. Very excited to go see the show again.

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 3:10pm

Yay! I'm seeing West Side Story on December 26. I finally know who the Tony I will be seeing is. I wonder if he will stagedoor after a matinee. He probably will since it will be close to his opening. But I'm just wondering why Tony needs an alternate.

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 3:22pm

Good for Wes Hart!

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 3:22pm

Good for Wes Hart!

[Eris0303]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 3:33pm

Yay! I'm seeing West Side Story on December 26. I finally know who the Tony I will be seeing is. I wonder if he will stagedoor after a matinee.

He did while Matt C. was on his honeymoon.

[Revolutionary]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 4:06pm

Not to be mean, but in my opinion Matt Cavanaugh's leaving will make the show 100 x better.

[alightinthedark23]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 4:12pm

Revolutionary, I agree with you that it will make the show better. Glad to see Matt H is getting a chance to play the role full time. I had a chance to see him in the role. He was an improvement from Matt C., but I wouldn't say it was by large amounts. I am seeing the show soon and I would love to try to go when Jeremy is playing Tony.

[Revolutionary]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 7:04pm

Again, not to be mean, lol, but I would imagine that anyone in the world would be a vast improvement on Cavanaugh. He was laughably bad the two times I saw him.

In my mind, John Arthur Greene would be a great Tony. I'm looking forward to seeing Jordan eventually though.

And EponineThenardier, yes, Karen is still with the show.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 7:09pm

I'll be there on the 13th. Looking forward to seeing Matt's final performance...and Karen's Tony-winning performance.

[Basely Tearful]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 7:12pm

I hope they replace Olivo with Cortez soon. Then I'll see the show.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 7:21pm

"Is Karen still in WSS? I saw her in the audience at "American Idiot" in CA and I noticed she wasn't in the "America" performance for the Macy's parade."

She was on vacation to see Matt in American Idiot.


"I hope they replace Olivo with Cortez soon. Then I'll see the show."

Did you really hate Karen that much?

[Basely Tearful]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 7:24pm

I'm sure she's a very nice person. I just prefer to see an Anita who can dance without hesitation.

[Trish2]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 9:05pm

Where else does Olivo have to go ? She might as well renew-it's a peachy job for her. She comes and goes as she pleases.

[flossie2]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 10:14pm

Is there an alternate for Matt C or does he do 8 shows a week?

[adamgreer]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 10:16pm

Cavenaugh does all 8 shows, and for all the problems with his performance, he seems to be the one lead who showed up consistently.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 10:16pm

I don't believe he had an alternate - just a standby. But wasn't it said that he was missing his fair share of shows? Maybe singing the role 8 times a week did take its toll on him so they're having an alternate. This is all speculation on my part of course

Updated On: 12/2/09 at 10:16 PM

[flossie2]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 10:20pm

Thanks I wondered why they now have an alternate. Is it that hard on the voice?

[alightinthedark23]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 10:21pm

If anyone should be rewarded for their consistent attendance it should be George Akram. Every time I've seen the show he has been in and reading reviews that people post he always seems to be in.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 10:22pm

Like I said - I'm just speculating.

Another reason might be because other than two months in summer 2008 between Matt Saldivar leaving Grease and Ace Young coming in Matt Hydzik has never covered a role full time on Broadway. But he's done tours and such so I don't doubt his stamina but maybe the producers do.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 11:04pm

Why is it so hard to find a Tony who can sing the role and an Anita who can dance the role?

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 11:06pm

It just IS....

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 11:25pm

Really not that difficult of a role to sing/act.