Matt SanGiovanni is a Broadway musician might have his final curtain call unless he and doctors can figure out a hand injury. (Courtesy: Matt SanGiovanni)
After months of seeking a clear diagnosis, a New York guitarist who has played in more than 10 Broadway productions must face the possibility that his injury could end his career.
Matt SanGiovanni moved to New York from Middlesex, New Jersey, the summer of 2015 with one goal in mind, to play music. And in a city where dreams can turn into reality, he set out to make a living from his passion: playing the guitar. He cold-called people in the industry, and he quickly found his footing in the Broadway world.
“I just got lucky,” said SanGiovanni. “The guitarist for Aladdin at the time, I hadn’t even met him or sat in the pit yet. We had been emailing for a little bit, and he was like actually I need a sub. Why don’t you come in tomorrow, bring a recorder and watch the show?”
That chance is how SanGiovanni continued subbing for other musicians before landing his own seat in the business on the Tony Award-winning musical, 1776.
SanGiovanni’s future as a Broadway musician is in jeopardy due to a chronic hand injury that’s been difficult for doctors to diagnose. He’s been out of work for months and his bills are piling up.
Nate Lueck, a Canadian musician who has lived in the city for 13 years, also experienced an injury from playing string instruments. In order to heal, his doctor suggested a less mainstream type of therapy called The Alexander Technique. This type of therapy is more common in the dance and music world.
According to the Alexander Technique wesbite, the technique “is a simple and practical method for improving ease and freedom of movement, balance, support and coordination.” It is a method that “helps a person discover a new balance in the body by releasing unnecessary tension. It can be applied to sitting, lying down, standing, walking, lifting, and other daily activities.”
Just like athletes, musicians are constantly straining their bodies to put on a performance. Whether they sit in a small room for a 90-minute show or perform on stage for a musical with the rest of the ensemble, they are also athletes.
Unfortunately, unlike professional athletes, if a musician is injured, it’s up to them to figure out the problem – and fast – to avoid disrupting the gigs they’ve booked.
“There’s a fear that if you identify yourself as somebody who is having a problem it might cost you work and ultimately it might be baked into your reputation,” Lueck said.
Despite Broadway generating $1.89 billion in revenue during the 2024-2025 season, the highest since before the 2018-2019 season, musicians still struggle to earn a living wage. This led the American Federation of Musicians Local 802 to fight for better pay and increased health care resources against the Broadway League during the latter half of 2025.
To work on Broadway is a dream come true for these musicians, but the constant strain on their bodies can have their careers end sooner than they’d hope without the proper treatment.
Watch this video for a more in-depth look:
Clarification: This story has been updated to reflect SanGiovanni’s months spent seeking a diagnosis.