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.
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).
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.