With her Forbidden Broadway debut in Merrily We Stole a Song, now playing Off-Broadway at Theater 555 on West 42nd Street, Nicole Vanessa Ortiz, a native of Newark, NJ, continues to rack up her flourishing “fifteen minutes of fame” as an award-winning musical theater artist and singer. Among her previous roles are her appearances as Deloris Van Cartier in the 2024 International Asian Tour and 2022 Paper Mill Playhouse production of the musical Sister Act, Rusty in Footloose at DC’s Kennedy Center in 2019, Sarah in Ragtime at The Serenbe Playhouse in Palmetto, GA (nominated for a 2019 Suzi Bass Award), the 2018 Off-Broadway revival of Smokey Joe’s Cafe (winner of a 2018-19 Chita Rivera Award), and Spamilton: An American Parody (which garnered a 2017 Off Broadway Alliance Award).
In addition to her professional work in the theater, she is a four-time-winning finalist for Amateur Night at The Apollo, won the grand prize on The Wendy Williams Show‘s singing competition, and was a Top 45 finalist on season 5 of American Idol. She can also be seen and heard headlining her Broadway World-nominated live solo concerts on land and sea, at NYC’s 54 Below and with the Norwegian Cruise Line.
Nicole spoke with me on a break during previews, to answer some rapid-fire questions about her views on the show, her career, and her own favorites, so our readers can get to know her a little more personally.
- What is it about Broadway?
Nicole: The historical representation of Broadway and its high standards of excellence and creativity, along with the people who bring it to life! It’s such a big machine as a whole and it takes so many steps to get there. With live shows, each performance is always a little different, and with Forbidden Broadway in particular, it’s never the same show twice, because we keep updating it and adding material we’re spoofing – there’s always something new.
- Is there one favorite number in Merrily We Stole a Song that you always look forward to performing?
That’s a tough one, because of all the solos I do, but probably my 11 o’clock number. It wasn’t in the show till halfway through the first week of rehearsals, developed with creator and director Gerard Alessandrini and pianist Fred Barton – a spoof of Audra McDonald as Mama Rose doing “Rose’s Turn” in Gypsy, with Audra going head-to-head with Ethel Merman in their distinctive voices and styles. The Broadway revival hasn’t even opened yet, but we’re ahead of it!
- Since you’ve performed a variety of genres, which have you found most challenging – musical storytelling, drama, comedy, or parody?
Hmmm, that’s a great question. For me, it’s more of a challenge to do drama eight times a week, to make a tragedy and a character feel new, focused, and emotional. Parody comes easily to me, especially since we engage with the audience in Forbidden Broadway and have them to play with, so it always feels different.
- What’s the most fabulous thing about being on stage?
The audience; definitely, the audience! The reactions they give back to us and the sense of joy in sharing a piece of performance art with them and having them come back again with family and friends because they enjoyed it so much and want to share it with others.
- What’s the most memorable reaction you’ve ever gotten from an audience member?
During the Asian tour of Sister Act, I met a superfan who cried when I hugged her hello. She continued coming to all the stops on the tour, another five or seven performances, always with another friend, and took the time to stop and say hello after the shows. That was memorable!
- What three emotions do you feel when you’re performing?
Ooohhh! Detachment from reality – a kind of escapism. Gratitude. And curiosity – to discover something different every day.
- What three things do you always have in your dressing room?
Make-up. Compression undergarments. And my personal tote of holistic remedies with lady pain killers. There’s nothing worse than performing at that time of the month. Oh, and Pedialyte Coconut Burst, to keep hydrated; I’d love to get a sponsor for that!
- Who’s been the biggest inspiration in your career?
It probably sounds like a cliché, but Whitney Houston. She’s known mostly as a vocal superstar, but she also had her hand in everything, including producing, even if it was done anonymously or through her production company. She did it all.
- What’s your first creative memory?
Playing the Casio light-up keyboard; it taught me how to play the piano by lighting up the next key!
- Is there a past show you’ve done that’s been your favorite to date?
Probably Ragtime. It really broke me out of the mold of what people thought I could do. It was my first show where I could tell a story and create a character arc. Before that, my shows were very jukebox oriented.
- Is there a dream role or show you’d like to play in the future?
I wouldn’t mind doing Amneris in Aida or playing the sister Miriam in The Prince of Egypt, if that ever comes to New York.
- What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Soulful. Intuitive. Nurturing.
13. What do you do for fun when you’re not working?
Eat! I love to have a guilt day, when I have a night off and I can eat what I want. When I’m on stage, I have to eat light, or I can’t digest the food, and I can feel it in the tight compression garments. That’s how I love myself – by eating! And I love to bowl.
- If you weren’t an actor, what career would you have pursued?
I went to college for business and marketing, so I’d have a backup in hospitality and tourism if I couldn’t get into acting. My plan was to be a rep for the stars, if I couldn’t be a star!
- What’s the biggest draw of becoming famous?
I don’t feel famous, and I find more value and meaning in the positive relationships I’ve built with my peers, who are now long-time friends and collaborators in the entertainment community throughout the course of my journey as a developing artist. Community and relationships will always be more important to me than the obsessive need for fame.
Thanks, Nicole, for sharing a fabulous fifteen minutes with us! I can’t wait to see you later this month at Theater 555 – my calendar is marked!
FORBIDDEN BROADWAY: Merrily We Stole a Song plays through Sunday, December 1, 2024, at Theater 555, 555 West 42nd Street, NYC. For tickets (priced at $30 for previews through September 16, $79 after opening, plus fees), go online.
