News
May 16, 2012
Matthew sings in an AIDS Benefit Concert
On Thursday, May 17th, Matthew Hazen will be singing in a benefit concert for AIDS at Therapy Bar at 8:00, hosted by Marti Cummings. A $20 donation gets you in to see the concert, and also gets you a free drink and a raffle ticket. Make sure to come and support the cause! And also get a chance to see Matthew Hazen sing!
348 West 52nd STREET, New York, NY 11105. (52nd Street, between 8th and 9th ave).
Apr 16, 2012
New Musical:
On May 20th, Matthew Hazen will be going into the recording studio to record 2 musical numbers from a new musical by Daniel Ezell, "41 Minutes." Ezell hopes to get his material out there, and soon have a staged reading, so stay tuned!
Mar 19, 2012
Matthew Hazen Makes Guest Appearance In Music Video
Check out Matthew Hazen's guest appearance in the new music video by MAOR, featuring T.R.I.G.G.A., "Long Way Home."
Aug 30, 2011
Matthew Hazen, Now an NYC Resident
After nine years of training and preparation, I have finally arrived in New York City! Over the course of the next few weeks I will be moving into my apartment, trying to find a job, and getting out there to audition. I will keep my website updated as projects come my way, and whenever any other important things happen to me. Keep checking back to see what's new!
Jul 29, 2011
Hello, Dolly!
"Hello, Dolly!" ran from July 29th until August 7th at two locations in the Dallas, Texas, area with Texas Family Musicals: The Granbury Opera House and The Lewisville Grand Theatre. It was directed by and starring Judy Norton, star of The Waltons, and choreographed by Kelly Swartz.
In "Hello, Dolly!," Dolly Levi, the well-known matchmaker, attempts to find herself a husband in the wealthy Horace Vandergelder. Meanwhile, she matches together a rich widow, Irene Molloy with Vandergelder's employee, Cornelius Hackl. She also sets up Molloy's assistant, Minnie, with Cornelius's assistant, Barnaby. Further, she matches the poor artist, Ambrose, with Vandergelder's niece, Ermengarde. In the end, after a ruckus at an upscale restaurant and a court case, Dolly convinces Vandergelder to marry her and all is well.
Matthew played the lovable Cornelius, whose love of adventure sets him on a wild journey to New York City, where he falls in love with Irene Molloy within a moment of meeting her.
Jun 17, 2011
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
This production of "Joseph" ran for six weeks in the summer of 2011, in five locations around the Dallas, Texas, area with Texas Family Musicals: The Granbury Opera House, The Lewsville Grand Theatre, The Grapevine Palace Theatre, the Weatherford Theatre, and the Corsicana Palace Theatre. It was directed by Sam DiRosa, music directed by Lee Harris, and choreographed by Kelly Swartz.
In this retelling of the Biblical story, Joseph is a handsome young man who is his father's favorite child, able to interpret dreams, and the bearer of an amazing coat. These facts lead Joseph's eleven brothers to become insatiably jealous. Thus, they sell Joseph into slavery to some passing Ishmaelites. After refusing the advances of his owner's wife, Joseph is sent to jail. Once in jail, he quickly becomes popular due to his ability to interpret dreams. The Pharaoh soon hears of Joseph's ability and appoints him to the post of Number Two man in Egypt. Years later, Joseph's now starving brothers arrive in Egypt and ask Joseph, whom they don't recognize, for assistance. Joseph, in turn, gives his brothers a scare, but eventually grants them all they desire, reveals his identity, and reunites the family. Dancing in the show requires all types of styles.
Matthew played Simeon, the inexplicably French brother, who sings of a time in Canaan when things were better... Those Canaan days!
May 9, 2011
Syracuse University 2011 Senior Showcase
Performed at the Storch Theatre in Syracuse, NY, on Friday, May 6th and at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre in NYC on Monday, May 9th.
Matthew performed a scene with Carly Augenstein from the play "Check, Please" and sang a cut of the song "Goodbye" from "I Love You Because."
May 6, 2011
A New Brain
A musical, with music and lyrics by William Finn, and book by Finn and James Lapine. Performed at the Storch Theatre in Syracuse, NY, May 6th - May 14th
A New Brain is a show about making the most out of life in the face of tragedy. When a neurotic, frustrated composer is confronted with a terminal illness, he finds comfort in the healing power of art. The show is in fact the William Finn's autobiographical account of his own battle for life when he was afflicted with a seemingly terminal illness. As the central character, Gordon Michael Schwinn, struggles to survive, he finds salvation in the healing power of art.
Matthew played Roger, the sympathetic and caring boyfriend, who remains loyal to Gordon through the end of his journey to enlightenment, despite Gordon's constant complaining and pessimism.
Jan 18, 2011
RENT
Syracuse Stage's production of Jonathan Larson's "RENT" ran from January 18th to February 13th, directed by Anthony Salatino. It received rave reviews, and performed to sold out audiences almost every night.
Based loosely on Puccini's La Boheme, Rent tells the story of a group of friends struggling with love, drugs and AIDS. Among the group are the narrator - nerdy filmmaker Mark; his former lover, Maureen; Maureen's public interest lawyer lesbian lover Joanne; Mark's roommate HIV+ former drug addict, Roger; Roger's lover the HIV+ drug addicted exotic dancer, Mimi; their former roommate HIV+ computer genius Tom Collins; Collins' HIV+ drag queen street musician lover Angel; and Benjamin Coffin III a former member of the group who, after marrying a wealthy woman, has since become their landlord and the opposite of the group's Bohemian values. The second act is filled with tragedy as Angel dies and couples break up. But at the very end, when Mimi is about to die, Roger is able to sing one song that brings her back to life and leaves the audience with a sense of hope.
In "RENT," Matthew played the support group leader Paul, who helps attendee Gordon come to terms with his disease. Matthew also played the exasperrated waiter at the Life Cafe, who must serve food to the large party after Maureen's protest, as well as many other small roles.
Jun 1, 2010
Pippi Longstocking
"Pippi Longstocking" at Actors' Playhouse in Miami, FL, ran for six weeks in the summer of 2010.
"Pippi Longstocking" humorously tells the adventures of a spunky 9-year-old girl who is left to her own devices when her mother goes to heaven and her father, a pirate captain, is off sailing the seas.
Matthew played Officer Klang, the stubborn cop who will stop for nothing until Pippi is in a childrens home where she belongs. Matthew also operated the puppet that was Mr. Nilsson, Pippi's pet monkey.
Apr 29, 2010
I Love You Because
Syracuse University Drama Department's mainstage production of "I Love You Because" starred Matthew Hazen as Austin Bennet, the lovable yet hopeless romantic. It ran from April 30th to May 15th, 2010.
Ah, New York, city of romance, where relationships end badly, and where those on the rebound fall for the wrong person. Such is the world of "I Love You Because." This infectiously entertaining modern day musical love story is filled with witty and incisive lyrics and a rich and tuneful score. A quirky and slightly nutty take on modern dating. Think Friends with terrific songs and dancing.
Matthew played leading role Austin Bennet, who loses the love of his life, and soon comes to find love in someone else, a person he wouldn't have dreamed of at all, who challenges his obsessive compulsiveness and lack of spontaneity.