You may know him as the lovable character Dustin on Netflix's hit 80s-themed show Stranger Things. But before Gaten Matarazzo was thrust into the Hollywood spotlight, he was better known for his musical work under the lights of Broadway. Now, Matarazzo is returning to the stage to star in the Tony-winning musical Dear Evan Hansen at the Music Box Theatre.
Matarazzo will step into the role of Jared Kleinman on July 19, the same day the company welcomes the return of three other actors: Ann Sanders as Cynthia Murphy, Noah Kieserman as Connor Murphy, and Ciara Alyse Harris as Alana Beck.
“Words could never express how truly honored I am to be a part of this company,” Matarazzo said in a statement. “This show has taught me so much about myself and to be able to participate in any capacity, let alone on Broadway, makes me want to melt. I am ecstatic to be back on stage and eternally grateful for the opportunity.”
Matarazzo first made his Broadway debut in 2011 in the show Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Before booking Stranger Things, he played Gavroche in the 2014 revival of Les Misérables.
The news of Matarazzo's casting comes after a movie adaptation of Dear Evan Hansen premiered in September last year. It stars Ben Platt (reprising his Tony-winning performance in the original production), Julianne Moore, Amy Adams, Danny Pino, Kaitlyn Dever, Amandla Stenberg, and more.
The casting news also comes during the release of Stranger Things Season 4. The first volume of the new season has been released on Netflix, while the second volume is expected to drop July 1. Besides Matarazzo, the show stars Winona Ryder, Finn Wolfhard, David Harbour, Millie Bobby Brown, Caleb McLaughlin, Sadie Sink, Joe Keery, and more.
See a clip of Gaten Matarazzo announcing the casting news on Live with Kelly and Ryan below.
Discover thousands of free stations from every genre of music and talk at Live365.com.
Ready to start your own station? Contact one of our Product Consultants or visit our website today. Keep up with the latest news by following us on Facebook (Live365 (Official) and Live365 Broadcasting) and Twitter (@Live365 and @Broadcast365)!
Article Image: Gaten Matarazzo walks the red carpet at the "Stranger Things" Season 3 premiere in 2019. (Jean_Nelson via DepositPhotos.)
