May 10, 2023

Introducing the leads of West Side Story at Lyric Opera of Chicago

The cast for this year's most anticipated musical is finally here! Spanning artists from film and television to Broadway, this cast is sure to create an unforgettable musical theater experience.

Ryan McCartan

Ryan McCartan is making his Lyric debut portraying hopeless romantic Tony. McCartan is a Broadway and television fan-favorite, most recently recurring on The CW’s top-rated series The Winchesters. Ryan played Brad Majors, leading Fox’s The Rocky Horror Picture Show; and is known for his role "Diggie," on Disney Channel’s Liv and Maddie over its four-season run. 

He has appeared on Broadway in Disney’s Frozen, playing Hans; and played the male lead of Fiyero in Broadway’s Wicked. He also originated the role of J.D. in the cult classic Heathers: The Musical Off-Broadway.  

Ryan McCartan - "Dead Girl Walking" (Best of Pronoun Showdown)

In this viral video clip, Ryan sings a hit song from Heathers: The Musical, traditionally sung by a female character.

Kanisha Feliciano

This June, Kanisha Feliciano will be gracing the Lyric stage with her beautiful soprano voice as the ingénue, Maria. An up-and-coming Broadway star, Feliciano made history as the first Latina and second Black Christine Daaé in the long-running Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. She made her Broadway debut in Lincoln Center Theater’s Flying Over Sunset, originating the roles of Ann and Judith. 

Other theatre and opera credits include Lily from The Secret Garden at Music Circus in Sacramento, Suzanna (Le Nozze di Figaro), Baby Doe (The Ballad of Baby Doe), and Blonde (Die Entführung).

Phantom of the Opera star Kanisha Feliciano performs in Times Square

Hear Kanisha sing the hit song “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera in a public performance in Times Square.

Brett Thiele

Brett Thiele is a Broadway mainstay making his return to the Lyric stage as Riff, leader of the Jets. He has appeared in multiple Broadway productions including Escape to Margaritaville, Miss Saigon, and Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark. Thiele has also been seen off-Broadway in Clueless, The Musical at the New Group, with numerous regional credits.

Amanda Castro

Amanda Castro is no stranger to the role of Anita. Previously appearing in Lyric’s original production of West Side Story, she also brought the iconic role to Atlanta Opera and The Glimmerglass Festival. Castro, an internationally renowned performer, was a principal dancer of the renowned Brooklyn-based company Urban Bush Women for four years. She recently completed a year-long creative residency with Soles of Duende at Dixon Place Theatre; assisting choreographer Nick Kenkel at BC Beat; working as a model and movement specialist at New York’s Fashion Week; and dancing at Radio City Music Hall for the Ellie Awards.

Yurel Echezarreta

Yurel Echezaretta, an LA-based actor will be journeying to the Windy City to make his Lyric debut as Bernardo. A star of stage and screen, Yurel spent 11 years of his Broadway career appearing in countless musicals including West Side Story, La Cage Aux Folles, Matilda, Aladdin, Head Over Heels, and most recently, Moulin Rouge the Musical. 

Echezarreta had the honor of acting in Steven Spielberg's West Side Story film portraying Sebas, a member of the Sharks. Other TV and film projects including: Comedy Central's Alternatino, Bravo's Odd Mom Out, and Independent Film The Last Five Years starring Anna Kendrick.

Do not miss your chance to see the critically acclaimed production from June 2 - 25, 2023 at Lyric.

In 2019, Lyric’s larger-than-life new production and company premiere of West Side Story took Chicago by storm with sold-out performances. With the lush sound of the Lyric Orchestra playing the original orchestrations and a cast that was called “expansive” by the Chicago Tribune, seeing a Broadway classic this way is a rare treat.

In 2023, Leonard Bernstein’s music and Stephen Sondheim’s lyrics will once again transplant Romeo and Juliet to the backstreets of New York City in this timeless Broadway musical masterpiece. Tony and Maria are wide-eyed teenagers from two communities in conflict, who fall in love. As their friends and family battle with one another, Tony and Maria long for “a place for us…somewhere.” Their songs illuminate every scene and permeate our culture, from the romance of “Maria” and “Tonight” to the exuberance of “America” and the humor of “Gee, Officer Krupke.” Add to that the bold, sexy, iconic choreography of Jerome Robbins that smolders and sizzles with energy, and you have a timeless musical theater experience you’ll never forget.

In 2019, Lyric’s larger-than-life new production and company premiere of West Side Story took Chicago by storm with sold-out performances. With the lush sound of the Lyric Orchestra playing the original orchestrations and a cast that was called “expansive” by the Chicago Tribune, seeing a Broadway classic this way is a rare treat.

In 2023, Leonard Bernstein’s music and Stephen Sondheim’s lyrics will once again transplant Romeo and Juliet to the backstreets of New York City in this timeless Broadway musical masterpiece. Tony and Maria are wide-eyed teenagers from two communities in conflict, who fall in love. As their friends and family battle with one another, Tony and Maria long for “a place for us…somewhere.” Their songs illuminate every scene and permeate our culture, from the romance of “Maria” and “Tonight” to the exuberance of “America” and the humor of “Gee, Officer Krupke.” Add to that the bold, sexy, iconic choreography of Jerome Robbins that smolders and sizzles with energy, and you have a timeless musical theater experience you’ll never forget.

June 2 - June 25, 2023

West Side Story

West Side Story

In 2019, Lyric’s larger-than-life new production and company premiere of West Side Story took Chicago by storm with sold-out performances. With the lush sound of the Lyric Orchestra playing the original orchestrations and a cast that was called “expansive” by the Chicago Tribune, seeing a Broadway classic this way is a rare treat.

In 2023, Leonard Bernstein’s music and Stephen Sondheim’s lyrics will once again transplant Romeo and Juliet to the backstreets of New York City in this timeless Broadway musical masterpiece. Tony and Maria are wide-eyed teenagers from two communities in conflict, who fall in love. As their friends and family battle with one another, Tony and Maria long for “a place for us…somewhere.” Their songs illuminate every scene and permeate our culture, from the romance of “Maria” and “Tonight” to the exuberance of “America” and the humor of “Gee, Officer Krupke.” Add to that the bold, sexy, iconic choreography of Jerome Robbins that smolders and sizzles with energy, and you have a timeless musical theater experience you’ll never forget.

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Header photo: The 2018/19 cast of West Side Story at Lyric Opera of Chicago. Credit: Todd Rosenberg