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Nicolas Dromard

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Nicolas Dromard
Born (1980-10-07) October 7, 1980 (age 44)
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Occupation(s)Singer, actor, dancer
Years active1999–present

Nicolas Dromard (born October 7, 1980) is a Canadian singer and stage actor, best known for his performances as Fiyero in the San Francisco sit-down production of the musical Wicked.[1][2] He also performed in the Broadway musical version of Mary Poppins as part of the original Broadway cast ensemble, and later as Bert on Broadway and in the National Tour.[3][4][5] He recently [6] performed in the national tour and Broadway productions of Jersey Boys as Tommy DeVito.[7]

Early life

[edit]

Born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Dromard attended the Greta Leeming Studio of Dance in Nepean, Ontario in his youth.[8] He went on to study music at École secondaire publique De La Salle, a performing arts high school in Ottawa, where he learned to play the piano and the flute.[9]

He was inspired to start dancing when he saw a Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movie. He would dance in the halls at school, and his teacher told his parents to sign him up for dance lessons.[10]

He studied singing under the instruction of Yoriko Tanno-Kimmons, who runs a voice studio in Ottawa.

Dromard's first language was French; born to French parents, he didn't learn English until the age of seven.[11]

Dromard's first paid acting role was "Little Boy" in a TV movie called The Tin Soldier at age 12.[12]

Dromard was very active in his hometown, participating in amateur community theater shows such as Anne of Green Gables – The Musical and Crazy for You (musical).

In 1998, he was in New York City at a dance contest when he was scouted to be part of the Radio City Productions Christmas Spectacular at a satellite production in Branson, Missouri.[13]

In 1999, Dromard earned his Canadian Actors' Equity Association card by performing in West Side Story at the Stratford Festival of Canada in Stratford, Ontario.[14] He earned his American Actors' Equity Association card when he performed in the 2002 Broadway revival Oklahoma! as Sam.[15]

Wicked

[edit]

1st national tour

[edit]

Dromard was cast as an ensemble member (a swing) in the 1st national tour of the musical Wicked in October 2004, after spending eight hours dancing and singing in auditions. The production started previews at the Canon Theatre in Toronto, Canada on March 9, 2005, and officially opened on March 21, 2005. Stephanie J. Block and Kendra Kassebaum originated the roles of Elphaba and Glinda, respectively. Alongside them were Derrick Williams as Fiyero, David Garrison as the Wizard, Carol Kane as Madame Morrible, Jenna Leigh Green as Nessarose, Logan Lipton as Boq, and Timothy Britten Parker as Doctor Dillamond.

San Francisco

[edit]

After auditioning for the role of Fiyero in October 2008, he was chosen to star in Wicked's San Francisco open-ended engagement, alongside Teal Wicks as Elphaba and Kendra Kassebaum as Glinda.[16] The San Francisco production began previews on January 27, 2009, at the Orpheum Theatre, and officially opened on February 6, 2009.

Both Dromard and the San Francisco production received critical acclaim, including:

The SF Examiner:[17]

"I have to admit Nicolas Dromard as rich boy and cavalier Fiyero, the mutual love interest, puts on a fine one-man show. He looks young, handsome and virile, singing and dancing and strutting about with bravado. While it turns out Fiyero has a heart and some dignity, his entry would almost make the prince from Beauty and the Beast swoon. Bravo!"

The Contra Costa Times:[18]

"... and Nicolas Dromard, who creates an achingly believable character in Fiyero, the dashing fellow who charms both young witches."

Dromard performed during the production with both Academy Award winner Patty Duke and Emmy Award winner Carol Kane, both as Madame Morrible. Dromard left the cast on June 26, 2010, to play Bert in Mary Poppins on Broadway. He was replaced as Fiyero by Cliffton Hall.

The San Francisco production of Wicked was seen by nearly a million people during its first year, according to The Best of Broadway, and averaged over $1.0 million in weekly grosses at the box office, according to Variety Magazine. Wicked was named "Musical of the Decade" in 2009 by Entertainment Weekly and termed "the defining musical of the decade" by The New York Times.[19][20]

The San Francisco production of Wicked closed on September 5, 2010.[21]

Mary Poppins

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Original Broadway cast

[edit]

Dromard performed as part of the ensemble (swing) in the original cast of Mary Poppins on Broadway, which premiered at the New Amsterdam Theatre. It started previews on October 14, 2006, and officially opened on November 16, 2006. It starred Ashley Brown in the title role of Mary Poppins and Gavin Lee as Bert.[22] Dromard understudied many roles in the ensemble as a swing, including Von Hussler, William, and Bert.[23]

Broadway

[edit]

In early 2010, Dromard auditioned again for Mary Poppins, and landed the role of Bert in the Broadway production. This meant he would not finish out Wicked's San Francisco run (which was to end in September 2010), and he left the role of Fiyero on June 27, 2010. He played the role of Bert on Broadway for four weeks in 2010 (from July 16 to August 23) before heading out on the national tour.

In December 2012, he announced via his website that he will once again being playing the role of Bert on Broadway. He will be performing the role at the "New Amsterdam Theater" in New York from January 10, 2013, until August 8, 2013 (barring a contract extension).

National tour

[edit]

Nicolas Dromard performed the role of Bert on tour for a year and a half, starting in September 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana and ending in March 2012.[24] During his run, he played opposite actresses Caroline Sheen and Laura Michelle Kelly, both of whom portrayed the role of Mary Poppins.

Dromard has earned much praise for his role as Bert, receiving rave reviews at every tour stop:

The Grand Rapids Press:[25]

"Nicolas Dromard is a delight as Bert, the omnipresent tradesman/narrator, who's sweet on Mary. As he lights the street lamps and sweeps the street, he playfully pushes along the set pieces."

The Salt Lake Tribune:[26]

"Which brings us full-circle to what makes Dromard's role such a show-stealer. [...] 'This is harder than it looks,' Bert understates to the audience, as he begins tap-dancing up the wall, singing all the while, the stunt capped by a key change (!) while he's upside down at the top of the theater's proscenium arch. The authenticity of the line explains everything about acting and theatrical spectacle and his character, all at once."

Around the Town Chicago:[27]

"Bert (a very talented Nicolas Dromard) who also serves as storyteller does a dance during the 'Step In Time' that will knock your socks off, as he dances up the side wall, then taps while upside down and then comes down the other side. his is a number that is truly a show stopper and worth the price of the ticket on its own."

Jersey Boys

[edit]

On May 1, 2013, Nicolas Dromard announced on his website that he was going to be joining the National Tour of Jersey Boys as Tommy Devito.[28] His first performance was on June 4, 2013, in Salt Lake City, Utah.[29]

He's already received critical acclaim for his role:

Deseret News:[30]

"The success of the musical rests heavily on the quality of the four leads — performers required to act, sing, dance a bit and play instruments (when you see them playing on stage, they are actually playing) — and the four men in the touring show deliver plenty of Jersey swagger. [...] Joining [Nick Cosgrove] at the mic stands are Nicolas Dromard (DeVito), Jason Kappus (Gaudio) and Brandon Andrus (Nick Massi). The men lilt in and out of scenes, into songs and into narration quite seamlessly with a believable rapport and fantastic sound."

Broadway World Reviews:[31]

"Instead of a tribute show with impersonations of the Four Seasons, the focus of these superb actors is on creating engaging, dramatic portrayals. Surprisingly enough, it was the first performance for Nicolas Dromard, making his debut as Tommy DeVito. He joins Nick Cosgrove as Frankie Valli, Brandon Andrus in the Nick Massi role and Jason Kappus as Bob Gaudio in the bio-musical of the early 1960s group."

Additional theatre

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Mamma Mia

[edit]

In 2000, Dromard was part of the ensemble for the North American premiere of Mamma Mia, which started in Toronto. It made its United States premiere at the Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco before heading to Broadway.[32]

The Boy From Oz

[edit]

In 2003, Dromard was a part of the ensemble in The Boy from Oz, a musical from Martin Sherman and directed by Philip Wm. McKinley. The production started previews at the Imperial Theatre on September 16, 2003, and officially opened on October 16, 2003. It starred Hugh Jackman in the lead role of Peter Allen. The production closed on September 12, 2004.[33]

Hairspray

[edit]

Dromard joined the ensemble of Hairspray for the 2004 production in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The production started previews on April 8, 2004, at the Princess of Wales Theatre and officially opened on May 5, 2004. The production closed after seven months on November 28, 2004.[34][35]

Dancing in the Dark

[edit]

Nicolas Dromard was part of the ensemble for the world premiere of Dancing in the Dark, a musical directed by Gary Griffin with a book by Douglas Carter Beane. It premiered at The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, California, and ran from March 4, 2008, to April 13, 2008.[36] The show was based on the MGM film The Band Wagon and starred Scott Bakula in the lead role of "Tony Hunter."[37][38]

White Christmas

[edit]

In September 2012, it was announced that Dromard would be travelling to the Denver Center for the Performing Arts in Denver, Colorado to play the role of Phil Davis in Irving Berlin's White Christmas, a musical based on the movie-musical of the same name (White Christmas - 1954).[39]

Workshops

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Cry-Baby

[edit]

In April 2007, Dromard participated in a workshop for Cry-Baby, which ran for 68 performances in New York City. Based on the movie of the same name by John Waters, the production went on (without Dromard) to officially open on Broadway on April 24, 2008, at the Marquis Theatre. It earned four Tony Award nominations and choreographer Rob Ashford won a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Choreography.[40][41]

Frog Kiss

[edit]

Dromard played the role of Klaus in Frog Kiss, a musical produced by Tamara Tunie.[42] Based on the classic tale of a frog who needs a kiss, It featured a book by Charles Leipart and music by Eric Schorr. It was chosen to be part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival in 2010, and seven shows were performed at the Theater at St. Clements.[43]

Make Mine Manhattan

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Nicolas Dromard starred in the workshopped revival of Make Mine Manhattan at the Connelly Theatre in New York City. It is based on the original 1940s revue of the same name. It was presented by the UnsungMusicalsCo.. Directed by Ben West, the show featured a book by Arnold B. Horwitt and music by Richard Lewine. It ran from March 1 to March 17, 2012.[44]

The revue was met with critical acclaim:

BroadwayWorld:[45]

"Broadway veteran and standout, Nicolas Dromard, charms his way as the narrator and carries the show along at a well-proportioned pace. His charisma, confidence, and style are evident in each song, dance, and skit, and can make even the most stoic person blush like a schoolgirl."

Used York City:[46]

"Nicolas Dromard immediately sets a comfortable stage tone and his confident stage presence, as well as some fine dancing, makes him a stand out."

Other roles

[edit]

Crazy For You

[edit]

In 1996, Dromard starred as Bobby Child in his community theatre's production of Crazy For You. This Gershwin musical was produced by the Company of Musical Theatre in Ottawa.[47]

West Side Story

[edit]

Nicolas Dromard portrayed Big Deal in the Stratford Festival of Canada's 1999 production of West Side Story (musical). He earned his Canadian Actors' Equity Association membership for this performance.[48]

Dracula

[edit]

In 1999, Dromard was the standby for Renfield in a Stratford Festival of Canada production of Dracula, a musical version of Bram Stoker's Dracula. It featured a book by Richard Ouzounian and music by Marek Norman.[49]

Gypsy

[edit]

In early 2003, Nicolas Dromard played the role of Tulsa in the Stephen Sondheim musical Gypsy at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre.[50]

Nominations and awards

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2011: BroadwayWorld Boston Award: Best Actor in a Touring Production (Mary Poppins)
2012: IRNE Award (Independent Reviewers of New England) Nomination: Best Visiting Performer (Mary Poppins)
2012: BWW Critics Choice Awards (Jay's Picks): Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Touring) (Mary Poppins)

Theatre credits

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Start Date Production Role Notes
June 4, 2013 - January 25, 2015 Jersey Boys Tommy DeVito
  • National Tour
December 6, 2012 - December 26, 2012 White Christmas Phil Davis
August 7, 2012 - September 3, 2012 Mary Poppins Bert
March 1, 2012 - March 17, 2012 Make Mine Manhattan Boy 1
August 2010 - March 2012 Mary Poppins Bert
  • National Tour
  • BroadwayWorld Boston Award: Best Actor in a Touring Production
  • BWW Critics Choice Awards (Jay's Picks): Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Touring)
July 16, 2010 - August 23, 2010 Mary Poppins Bert
Summer 2010 Frog Kiss Klaus
  • Workshop
January 27, 2009 - June 27, 2010 Wicked Fiyero
March 4, 2008 - April 13, 2008 Dancing in the Dark Ensemble (u/s Tony)
April 2007 Cry-Baby Whiffle
  • Workshop
October 14, 2006 - March 2007 Mary Poppins Ensemble
March 9, 2005 - September 2006 Wicked Ensemble/Swing
April 8, 2004 - November 28, 2004 Hairspray Sketch (u/s Link & Corny)
September 16, 2003 - September 12, 2004 The Boy From Oz Ensemble
Spring 2003 Gypsy Tulsa
February 23, 2002 - February 23, 2003 Oklahoma! Sam (u/s Will Parker)
2000 Mamma Mia! Eddie/Pepper
  • North American Premiere/Tour
1999 Dracula Renfield (u/s)
1999 West Side Story Big Deal
1996 Crazy For You Bobby Child
  • Company of Musical Theatre, Ottawa

Benefits and other performances

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Date Event Notes
July 2012 Broadway Under the Stars: Dream the Impossible Dream Transcendence Theatre Company - Jack London State Historic Park[51]
October 25, 2011 Sweep Dreams: Benefit Performance Featuring the Cast of Mary Poppins[52] The Mercury Theater
July 20, 2011 Mary Poppins Visits CHOC Children's Hospital[53] Children's Hospital of Orange County
August 12, 2010 Broadway in Bryant Park - Presented by 106.7 Lite FM - Mary Poppins Cast[54] Bryant Park

Television

[edit]
Date Title Role Notes
1992 The Tin Soldier[55] Little Boy
November 2, 2010 Dancing with the Stars Bert

References

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  1. ^ "Wicked (1st National Tour) US Tour Cast - Original Cast". Broadway World. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  2. ^ Gans, Andrew. "Dromard, Flynn, Hall and Rioseco Will Join Kassebaum and Wicks in San Fran Wicked". Playbill. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  3. ^ Gans, Andrew. "A Jolly Holiday: Mary Poppins Opens at the New Amsterdam Nov. 16". Playbill. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  4. ^ Dromard, Nicolas. "Big News!!!". Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  5. ^ Dromard, Nicolas. "Sweeping Hollywood's Chimneys". Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  6. ^ D'Souza, Karen. "Review: 'Jersey Boys' proves it's the best jukebox musical ever". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  7. ^ Fulton, Ben. "'Jersey Boys' offers up the Four Seasons' tunnel vision to stardom". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
  8. ^ "GLS Alumni". Greta Leeming Studio of Dance. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  9. ^ Dromard, Nicolas. "About me". Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  10. ^ Winston, Iris. "Nicolas Dromard Dancing from height to height". HighBeam. Archived from the original on 18 November 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  11. ^ "Nicolas Dromard - Trivia". IMDB. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  12. ^ "The Tin Soldier (1992)". IMDB. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  13. ^ Winston, Iris. "Nicolas Dromard Dancing from height to height". HighBeam. Archived from the original on 2018-11-18.
  14. ^ Jones, Kenneth. "1999 Stratford Festival Season to Include Macbeth, West Side Story & More". Playbill. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  15. ^ "Oklahoma! (Broadway Revival, 2002)". Broadway World. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  16. ^ Gans, Andrew. "Dromard, Flynn, Hall and Rioseco Will Join Kassebaum and Wicks in San Fran Wicked". Playbill. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  17. ^ Warner, Cindy. "Wicked's Glinda the Good Kendra Kassebaum a bubbly ball of laughs and everlasting popularity". SF Examiner. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  18. ^ Craig, Pat. "WONDERFULLY 'WICKED' RETURN TO SAN FRANCISCO". Contra Costa Times. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  19. ^ "WICKED Named 'Best Stage Musical' of the Decade by Entertainment Weekly; August: Osage County Best Play". Broadway World. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  20. ^ Isherwood, Charles (January 3, 2010). "Cue the Chorus: The Musical Endures". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  21. ^ "WICKED to End San Francisco Run 9/5". Broadway World. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  22. ^ Gans, Andrew. "A Jolly Holiday: Mary Poppins Opens at the New Amsterdam Nov. 16". Playbill. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  23. ^ "Nicolas Dromard Theatre Credits". Broadway World. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  24. ^ "MARY POPPINS North American Tour Welcomes Nicolas Dromard as Bert". Broadway World. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  25. ^ Merrell, Sue (6 November 2010). "Review: 'Mary Poppins' at Wharton Center captures movie's magic, throws in some extras". Michigan Live. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  26. ^ Fagg, Ellen. "Review: Sure, Mary flies, but Bert sweeps into our hearts". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  27. ^ Bresloff, Alan (16 October 2011). "Mary Poppins". Around the Town Chicago. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  28. ^ Dromard, Nicolas. "The Big News". Retrieved 11 June 2013.
  29. ^ Dromard, Nicolas. "Put In Rehearsal". Retrieved 11 June 2013.
  30. ^ Hansen, Erica. "'Jersey Boys' Features four quality leads". Deseret News. Archived from the original on June 24, 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
  31. ^ Howell, Blair. "With Four Appealing Leads, JERSEY BOYS is Ferociously Fun". Broadway World. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
  32. ^ Meyer, Carla (November 20, 2000). "Living It Up on Opening Night / 'Mamma Mia!' party celebrates U.S. premiere of ABBA musical". SF Gate. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  33. ^ "The Boy From Oz - Production Information". Broadway World. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  34. ^ "Hairspray Production Information". Broadway World. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  35. ^ Jones, Kenneth. "Hairspray Ends in Toronto Nov. 28". Playbill. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  36. ^ "Dancing in the Dark". The Old Globe Theatre. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  37. ^ Biegelsen, Becky. "OLD GLOBE PRESENTS WORLD-PREMIERE MUSICAL, DANCING IN THE DARK, STARRING ACCLAIMED ACTOR SCOTT BAKULA" (PDF). The Old Globe Theatre. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  38. ^ Jones, Kenneth. "That's Entertainment: Bakula, Davi, Heller, Leavel, Page Open in Dancing in the Dark March 13". Playbill. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  39. ^ Dromard, Nicolas. "New Show and Business". Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  40. ^ "Cry-Baby Production Info". Broadway World. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  41. ^ "Rob Ashford". Masterworks Broadway. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  42. ^ Wong, Patrick. "Tamara Tunie Delivers A "Frog Kiss" On Stage". WPIX. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  43. ^ "FROG KISS (2010)". New York Musical Theatre Festival. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  44. ^ "Make Mine Manhattan". UnsungMusicalsCo. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  45. ^ Mancuso, Christina. "BWW Reviews: Make Mine Manhattan - I'll Take A Double". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  46. ^ Theodorou, Joanne. "Unsungmusicals Presents Make Mine Manhattan". Used York City. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  47. ^ Dromard, Nicolas. "Press". Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  48. ^ Hou, David. "West Side Story". Stratford Shakespeare Festival. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  49. ^ Miller, Elizabeth. "Stratford Festival - Dracula, 1999". Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  50. ^ "Production History". Arkansas Repertory Theatre. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  51. ^ SonomaSuzie. "As green as Broadway theater can get – Concerts under the stars". Inside Sonoma. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  52. ^ "Sweep Dreams: Benefit Performance Featuring the Cast of Mary Poppins". Chicago House and Social Agency. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  53. ^ Cho, Heather (21 July 2011). "Mary Poppins Cast Visits CHOC Children's". Center Scene. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  54. ^ "Broadway in Bryant Park". 106.7 Lite FM. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  55. ^ "The Tin Soldier". IMDB. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  56. ^ ""Dancing with the Stars" Episode #11.14". IMDB. Retrieved 18 August 2012.


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