Broadway actors to perform in ‘West Side Story’ with Spokane Civic Theatre, Spokane Symphony

Following a successful run at Spokane Civic Theatre in the fall, “West Side Story” will return to the stage in Spokane, this time as a collaboration between Civic and the Spokane Symphony.

The show will look a little different though, as actors with Broadway and national performing experience will take on the lead roles when “West Side Story” comes to the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox on April 20 and 21 at 8 p.m.

“As the steward of the historic Fox Theater, we carefully consider our role in elevating the performing arts offerings in the city,” Spokane Symphony Executive Director Jeff vom Saal said in a press release. “It is a significant win for Spokane to welcome some of the original cast members that opened the Broadway revival of ‘West Side Story.’ It is also an amazing opportunity for our musicians and local performers to work together delivering this exciting production.”

Matthew Hydzik, who portrayed Tony in the 2009 Broadway revival of “West Side Story,” will reprise his role, as will Cody Green, who played Riff in the Broadway revival.

Eden Espinosa, whose Broadway credits include Elphaba in “Wicked,” the title character in “Brooklyn,” a role she originated, Maureen in “Rent” and an upcoming production of “In the Heights,” will play Anita, and Julliard graduate Mikaela Bennett, who has performed with the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony and the New World Symphony and was a featured soloist in “Bernstein on Broadway” at the Kennedy Center, will star as Maria.

More than 10 cast members from the Spokane Civic Theatre production of “West Side Story,” which ran Sept. 22 through Oct. 21, will join the cast, and resident conductor Morihiko Nakahara will lead the Spokane Symphony.

“As a nationally recognized, award-winning community theater, Spokane Civic Theater is proud to co-produce the masterpiece that is ‘West Side Story’ with the world-class Spokane Symphony and thrilled to expose our incredible talent to a new world of voices and experiences,” Spokane Civic Theatre’s creative consultant Jake Schaefer said. “Together, this production has the ingredients to be a once-in-a-lifetime event.”

Tickets for “West Side Story” start at $28 and are available at www.spokanesymphony.org, all TicketsWest outlets, through the box office or by calling (509) 624-1200.