Photo Coverage: New TONYs Take the Stage in WEST SIDE STORY!

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.

Matthew Hydzik was most recently seen as Kenickie in Broadway's Grease. Other roles include Marc/Roger in the Rent tour, Nick in Fame, Slim in Cowboy Mouth, and Danny in Grease at NCT and Marriott Lincolnshire.

Jeremy Jordan comes directly from the Broadway cast of Rock of Ages. Regional: The Little Dog Laughed at Hartford Theatreworks (Connecticut Critics' Circle Nom.) and Big River at Goodspeed. NY: Sing, But Don't Tell; The Greenwood Tree. TV: "Law and Order: SVU."

WEST SIDE STORY is directed by its two-time Tony Award winning librettist Arthur Laurents with the original Jerome Robbins choreography restaged by Tony Award nominee Joey McKneely. Beginning Tuesday, December 15 the cast of 48 will star Matthew Hydzik and Jeremy Jordan as "Tony," Josefina Scaglione as "Maria," 2009 Tony Award Winner Karen Olivo as "Anita," John Arthur Greene as "Riff," and George Akram as "Bernardo." WEST SIDE STORY also welcomes Wes Hart as "Action," Michael Rosen as "Chino," Mikey Winslow as "Big Deal" and Sara Dobbs as "Anybodys."

The cast of WEST SIDE STORY is rounded out by Steve Bassettas "Lt. Schrank," Mike Cannon as "Snowboy," Kyle Coffman as "A-Rab," Michael Mastro as "Glad Hand," Lee Sellars as "Krupke," Ryan Steele as "Baby John," Greg Vinkler as "Doc" along with Kyle Brenn, Joshua Buscher, Isaac Calpito, Gabriel Canett, Haley Carlucci, Peter Chursin, Natalie Cortez, Kristine Covillo, Lindsay Dunn, Yurel Echezarreta, Michael Kleeman,Marina Lazzaretto, Mileyka Mateo, Kaitlin Mesh, Shina Ann Morris, Angelina Mullins, Kat Nejat, Pamela Otterson, Colt Prattes, Alex Ringler, Sam Rogers, Amy Ryerson, Jennifer Sanchez, Manuel Santos, Samantha Shafer, Phillip Spaeth,Brendon Stimson, CJ Tyson, Tanairi Sade Vazquez, Michael Williams and Mark Zimmerman.

Tickets for the Broadway production of WEST SIDE STORY at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) are on sale atwww.tickemaster.com (212-307-4100) or at the Palace Theatre box office. WEST SIDE STORY plays Tuesday at 7 p.m., Wednesday - Saturday at 8 p.m., Wednesday and Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Broadway ticket prices are $121.50 - 46.50.

Photos by Joan Marcus