A milestone wish came true when a local Queens boy became a Broadway star for a day.
Elijah from Ozone Park got to meet the cast and crew of West Side Story when Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York made him their 8,000th wish granted earlier this month.
Not only did he get to see the show, he even got to attend the crew check and enjoyed the chance to meet with stage hands and crew to see just what happens backstage before the curtain goes up.
His mother said that Elijah “is a young man with an old man’s soul,” and that musicals and plays have always been one of his passions. He wants to be a director because he loves everything that goes on behind the scenes.
Elijah and his family were given center orchestra seats and escorted backstage after the show to meet the entire cast.
“You should have seen the smile on Elijah’s face when the actresses stood on either side of him, took photos and gave him great, big hugs,” said a Make-A-Wish volunteer escort. “It was priceless!”
The cast then presented Elijah with an autographed poster, show memorabilia and a custom-made West Side Story sweater that read “Future Director” on the back.
The wish-filled day closed with a dinner at Sardi’s, where Elijah was treated like a VIP and joined by Matthew Hydzik, the male lead in West Side Story.
“We are so grateful to the cast and crew of West Side Story for their caring and support of Elijah’s wish,” said Pat Clemency, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York. “It was a wonderful way to celebrate our chapter’s 8,000th wish.
