Now playing in Roundabout Theatre Company’s Broadway production of PIRATES! The Penzance Musical, actor, singer, dancer Nathan Lucrezio continues extending his proverbial fifteen minutes of fame across the stage, screen, and recording studio with more than fifteen years in the entertainment business. Previously seen on Broadway in The Who’s TOMMY, Diana the Musical, Disney’s Aladdin, and Rogers and Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA, in addition to the Broadway National Tour of A Chorus Line and such acclaimed regional shows as Guys and Dolls at DC’s The Kennedy Center, the triple threat’s other notable credits include appearances on the TV series The Equalizer, First Wives Club, and Smash. In 2019, Lucrezio released his first album, Nathan Lucrezio Covers Vol. 1., available on Amazon and other streaming platforms, and he has also been seen as a rotating member of NYC’s The Boy Band Project, covering pop hits by the guy groups of the ‘80s and beyond.
During the final weeks of PIRATES!, which closes its run on July 27, Nathan took time to answer my quick questions about the hit show, his personal favorites, and his background.
- What do you enjoy most about playing a pirate?
Nathan: Playing a Pirate is exciting because there’s an underlying feeling of danger within the character you inhabit. Finding the truth and squashing stereotypes is one way to get at the root of a character and when you take into account that these men travel the seas, work long hard hours to stay alive, admire their ship’s captain, and find a family with the other pirate members, the world you inhabit becomes very real. The stakes become quite high and the mannerisms and choices your pirate character would make come out in the moment.
- What do you find most relatable about your character Roscoe?
Roscoe is always taking care of something or assisting the Pirate King and his crew in some way – which is who I am in real life. Roscoe does the most, whether it be setting a plank, flipping the King, tidying up the glasses, or making jokes with the King; that’s very akin to how I am in real life. Always doing the most. Haha.
- Which is your favorite song in the show that you always look forward to performing?
I always look forward to doing “Sail the Ocean Blue,” which is the end of Act 1. I love the build-up of the song from when it starts, into the dance break, and into our washboard section. It’s so much fun to perform and it’s a moment when the full company is onstage together, having a blast with each other.
- If you had a pet parrot, what would you name him?
Gibby. There’s a company member whose last name is Gibson, and one of my dear friend’s newborn is named Gibson, so it feels like if I had a parrot, “Roscoe and Gibby” sound like they go well together.
- What three emotions do you feel when you step onto the stage?
Anticipation (“Here we go!”), joy, and contentment.
- What’s the most fabulous thing about performing live?
You never know how the audience is going to react. That’s what keeps every show exciting. If the audience was the same every day, it’d get pretty boring.
- What’s the most memorable reaction you’ve ever gotten from an audience member?
Our first standing ovation after the number “Cat-Like Tread.” The audience went crazy and wouldn’t stop applauding. It went on and on and then the audience stood on their feet.
- Is there a dream role or show you’d like to play in the future?
The King in Hamilton. Someone hook me up because I’m ready!
- Do you have a favorite Boy Band group or song?
I didn’t grow up listening or going crazy for Boy Bands to be honest. But my favorite song would have to be “I Want It That Way.”
- Which Boy Band type are you most like in real life?
The sensitive one for sure and that’s the role I play.
- Which came first for you, singing, acting, or dancing?
Dancing was my very first love.
- What’s your first creative memory?
I have no idea! Haha.
- Who’s been the biggest inspiration in your career?
Michael Flatley. He is the creator of Riverdance and Lord of the Dance, which started me on my Irish Dance journey. I competed for ten years and studied his work in that time. I still bring out those skills to this day and it actually helped me book Pirates!
- What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Ambitious, silly, and loyal.
- What’s the biggest lure of being famous?
Well, I’m not famous in the slightest but from the small amount of attention I get for my occupation, it never gets old when people recognize me from the work I do.
Many thanks, Nathan, for sharing a fast and lively 15 minutes with us! It’s always a pleasure to see you on stage; I look forward to your upcoming appearances.
PIRATES! The Penzance Musical plays through Sunday, July 27, 2025, at Roundabout Theatre Company, performing at the Todd Haimes Theatre, 227 West 42nd Street, NYC. For tickets (priced at $58-268, including fees), go online, or find discount tickets at TodayTix.
