Cordero has appeared on Broadway as Dennis in Rock of Ages, after playing the role across the country in the first national tour.
Off-Broadway he created the title role in The Toxic Avenger. Other credits include Little Shop of Horrors (KC Rep), The Pirates of Penzance (BRT), The Last Five Years (Heritage Theater), Equus (Citadel Theatre), Blood Brothers, Evita (Theatre Aquarius) and Fiddler on the Roof (Manitoba Theatre Center).
Full given name:
Nicholas Eduardo Alberto Cordero
Where you were born/where you were raised:
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Zodiac Sign:
Virgo
What your parents did/do for a living:
Both retired teachers. Mom now a painter, father now a musician/Facebook aficionado.
Siblings:
Sister Amanda is an interior designer, and brother Matt teaches little kids and college students.
Current Audition Song:
"Faithfully" by Journey
Special skills:
Grilled cheese
Something you're REALLY bad at:
Staying put
Did you have any particular mentors or inspirations when first starting out?
I had teachers in my home town, David Dayler and Lou and Pauline Zamprogna, who gave me a lot of opportunity to be onstage growing up. They gave me room to fail, for which I’m grateful.
First Broadway show you ever saw:
Les Miserables
If you could go back in time and catch any show, what would it be?
Jimi Hendrix, Monterey Pop Festival, 1967
Current or recent show other than your own you have been recommending to friends:
The Library
Favorite showtune(s) of all time:
Billy Porter’s rendition of "Beauty School Dropout"
Favorite musicals of all time:
Jelly’s Last Jam, City of Angels, Rent
Broadway or screen stars of the past or present you would most love to perform with:
Brando
You personal vocal idols:
So many, but off the top of my head: Michael Jackson, Robert Plant, Steve Winwood, Steven Tyler, James Brown, Jackie Wilson, Tony Bennett, Tom Jones, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Ella, Allison Krauss, to name a few. Rachael Price from Lake Street Dive is killing me right now.
The one performance – attended - that you will never forget:
Prince at Massey Hall, Toronto, June 15th, 2002
Music that makes you cry, any genre:
Gospel
MAC or PC?
MAC
Most played song on your iPod:
Right now it’s "You Go Down Smooth" by Lake Street Dive. Rachael Price is insane. Also wearing out "Ain’t It Fun" by Paramore, 90’s Jay-Z… and Max Graef’s new record "Rivers Of The Red Planet" is pretty cool.
Most-visited websites:
www.charlierose.com, www.rollingstone.com, www.pitchfork.com, www.nytimes.com, www.pbs.com, www.beatport.com
Last book you read:
"Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell
Must-see TV show(s):
"Charlie Rose"
Some films you consider classics:
"A Streetcar Named Desire," "Glengarry Glen Ross," "Chinatown," "Missouri Breaks," "The Usual Suspects," "Heat," "Batman" (the first one, with Michael Keaton)
Performer you would drop everything to go see:
Prince
Pop culture guilty pleasure:
Bieber
First CD/Tape/LP you owned:
"Thriller"
First stage kiss:
Sara Chase in The Toxic Avenger. She kissed my green gooey face 8 times a week.
Favorite or most memorable onstage role as a child/teenager:
My first performance was when me and some buddies staged a version of "Nightmare On My Street" by The Fresh Prince and DJ Jazzy Jeff for our school air band. I directed and starred. We were 8. My mom was fielding calls from gushing parents for days. I knew I was on to something.
Favorite pre-/post- show meal:
Unagi
Favorite liquid refreshment:
Seltzer with lime
Most challenging role you have ever played:
"Toxie"
Who were the first people you called/texted after learning of your nomination?
My Mama
Any ideas/hints about your Tony night wardrobe?
Classic
Worst flubbed line/missed cue/onstage mishap:
Chess. I was 17, playing the Arbiter. Opening night, forgot lyrics to a verse of a big number. Still haunts me.
Worst costume ever:
An 80’s cover band, paying the bills, Lionel Ritchie…..don’t ask.
If you could trade roles with anyone in the cast for a week, who would it be?
Trixie the Pomeranian
What has been the most fun or fulfilling aspect of this project?
Me and 8 killer dudes crushing a gangster tap number every night.
Craziest audition story:
They’re all crazy in their own way.
Leading man role you've been dying to play:
Stanley Kowalski and Sweeney Todd
Leading lady role you wish you could play:
Baby Jane Hudson
Career you would want if not a performer:
Marine Biologist
Three things you can't live without:
Art. Love. Coffee.
"I'll never understand why…"
… haters wanna hate.
Words of advice for aspiring performers:
Trust your instincts. Don’t give up.
