December 1, 2025: Theatre Yesterday and Today, by Ron Fassler
It doesn’t get much better for a young actor determined to someday be part of a big time Broadway musical than to experience the luck, timing, and determination of Matt Kurzyniec (KURZ-NICK). As one of three actors understudying the title role of Beetlejuice at the Palace Theatre, he got to go on recently, performing on a stage that has played host to historic entertainers like Houdini, Judy Garland, Bette Midler, and Diana Ross, as well as acting legends Sarah Bernhardt, Christopher Plummer, and Rex Harrison. How Kurzyniec accomplished this is worthy of a column even minus much of the backstory that he’s been my friend since 2017 when I cast him as Leo Bloom in a production of The Producers.
Born in Detroit, Michigan in 1993, the thirty-two-year old actor has been at it the hard way: no inside connections to the biz and coming up through open call auditions, trying his best to beef up his resume with a choice role here and there (In 2018, I saw him play Igor in Young Frankenstein to hilarious effect in summer stock). But like any actor, survival jobs are necessary to pay the rent and feed your belly. Among numerous ones on a resume which Kurzyniec doesn’t keep, include stints as a dog walker, working at a children’s coding academy at Lincoln Center, at an Equinox, and a dive bar in the Bronx (“That one I learned on the fly”). That Bronx bar produced a memorable moment for Kurzyniec: “I vividly remember closing up at four-thirty/five in the morning and going straight down to the Pearl Studios for the Harry Potter open call auditions. I stayed at Pearl all day—and didn’t get seen. Of course, there’s nothing like going to an audition where you need to look like a teenager and staying up all night.”
With his newfound skill for pouring drinks, Kurzyniec set his sights on bartending in a Broadway house, hoping it might bring him a little closer to a life in the theatre than being stranded up in the Bronx (plus, the tips are a whole lot better). In March of 2017, he got hired to work concessions at Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. “Coincidentally, that was the first time I met Mark Kaufman, one of Beetlejuice’s main producers,” Kurzyniec told me. “He liked to hang out in the back of the theater, and we would shoot the shit and talk, and he told me that he was working on a musical version of Beetlejuice. Now this was back in 2017, and it totally caught my attention.”
Two years later, Beetlejuice opened on Broadway and Kurzyniec was still looking for acting work by day and bartending at night (and during more than a few matinees). Then came Covid and the shutdown which gave Kurzyniec time to memorize the original cast recording (“I was in awe of what Alex Brightman was doing”). With theatre back by 2022, Beetlejuice reopened in April at a new theatre, the Marquis, and Kurzyniec wormed his way into working the concession there. “I knew that by watching Alex there was a ton I could learn. And there was always the sense, while watching the show, of imagining doing it on Broadway and how special it would be to be in this specific production that has such a profound connection with its audience and its fan base. But that was a dream, living in this version of this world that Alex Timbers directed and that Connor Gallagher choreographed. I always thought, maybe another lifetime?”
“Fast forward to the first national tour auditions, which I didn’t even get a callback for. Then I found out the show was going on a Norwegian Cruise Line tour, and I begged for an audition and did everything I possibly could to get into that room. And I finally did get into the ensemble of the cruise ship version, which I did for eight months. It was my first time ever going to Europe and we visited Greece, Portugal, Spain, Italy . . . it was amazing.”
Lucky for Kurzyniec that when he was tapped for the first time to go on as Beetlejuice it was well in advance giving his mother time to fly to Greece to see him perform. Previously cast as an ensemble member and understudy in a touring production of Tootsie, Kurzyniec had the experience of going on before, but nothing prepared him for taking on Beetlejuice. “It’s pulling from all the skills I’ve ever learned: crowd work, improv, magic and sleight of hand, singing, dancing, and vocal character work. With so many different facets being utilized, I could finally show my mother and my entire family that a mammoth role like this is what I’ve been in training for my whole life. It’s been very special to share that gift with everyone.”
What Kurzyniec didn’t realize was that during his put-in rehearsal in Greece, he slipped and fell and—not realizing it the time—and tore his right rotator cuff. As the only understudy for Beetlejuice he either played the part or there would be no show. So, in true show business tradition, he went on eight times back-to-back before getting the medical attention and rest necessary to heal properly. “I didn’t raise my arms and did a lot of elbow acting. I was in some of the most excruciating pain in my life but also paired with the most joy and happiness of playing my dream role. And we were in Santorini and Mykonos, which was bliss.”
Eight months on the ship was followed by a return for another month when Kurzyniec was asked to play Adam, one half of the married couple portrayed by Rob McClure on Broadway and Alec Baldwin in the film upon which the musical is based. “That part is a little more of my softer side. Beetlejuice is me at an eleven, or fifty, I guess? But Adam has that Leo Bloom type-quality, which is still a huge part of my personality; that zero to hero thing. And I’ve been so blessed to have some of the greatest Barbaras to work with. So much so that I’m dating one right now (we met on the cruise ship, both being understudies).”
“And then—classic actor story—I get off the ship after playing Adam and sign a new lease on an apartment when I get the call that I’ve got an audition to replace an ensemble member and cover Beetlejuice on its national tour. I barely had my bearings back on land and was subjected to the longest callback I’ve ever had. I was in there for like thirty-five minutes and performed the entire packet of male characters. And getting into that production got me my Equity card. Proud union member!”
Kurzyniec remained gainfully employed for a year and a half, with the most recent stop on the tour being the Palace Theatre on Broadway. His Beetlejuice tour debut was in Mexico City, Mexico and would eventually play all over the U.S., most significantly in his hometown, Detroit. “My very first touring production I saw in high school in 2009 was Avenue Q, which featured Robert (!) McClure as Princeton. I remember sitting in the second or third row and, during the puppet sex scene, knowing this is what I wanted to do with my life. So, when Beetlejuice was due to touch down at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit, I was fortunate enough to have advance word that I’d be going on and got to invite about 150 people. And you know, all these people and all these relationships have the potential of being hindered by the atypical lifestyle of an actor. So, you do have to make certain sacrifices with certain relationships. And with all my friends and family being there to see what those sacrifices were for . . . well, that’s what it’s all about.”
And speaking of sacrifices, in a full circle moment, Kurzyniec found himself sustaining another stage injury while enduring the hardships of this highly physically demanding role. “During the second of the four times I went on as Beetlejuice the week before last, I had a knee-pop situation that happened during my fake stage kiss with Adam. And the production is so down on coverage right now, I knew there was no way I could bow out, similarly to when I tore my rotator cuff. So, I just powered down and, thankfully, it all went great. But how poignant that I’m starting and ending my run as Beetlejuice maybe with a little injury, but total bliss and honor and privilege of playing this role and telling this story.”
Oh, and here's where I should say that Kurzyniec handled the role with ease. He has all the moves, knows where the jokes are, and treats everyone as if a joy buzzer handshake is always up his sleeve. His singing is strong, and he never makes you feel like he’s straining, all while maintaining the gravelly voice first created by Michael Keaton in the film. He isn’t capable of receding into the background for a moment. Whenever Beetlejuice is onstage, you don’t take your eyes off Matt Kurzyniec. And having seen the original cast at the Winter Garden when the show first opened, this talented group is giving them a run for their money.
In writing this column, I not only get to chart one lucky actor’s journey, but also to praise a guy I simply adore. In other words, license to kvell, as you can see from this photo taken after the first of the four nights he went on (I had enough notice to cancel a show I was scheduled to see and head straight over to the Palace instead to grab a ticket). There will be more to come in the career of this versatile actor, of that you can be sure. You can follow Matt Kurzyniec on Instagram here.
Ron Fassler is the author of Up in the Cheap Seats: An Historical Memoir of Broadway and the forthcoming The Show Goes On: Broadway Hirings, Firings and Replacements. For news and "Theatre Yesterday and Today" columns when they break, please hit the FOLLOW button.
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