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. 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. He recently performed in the national tour and Broadway productions of Jersey Boys as Tommy DeVito.
Early life
Born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Dromard attended the Greta Leeming Studio of Dance in Nepean, Ontario in his youth. 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.
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.
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.
Dromard's first paid acting role was "Little Boy" in a TV movie called The Tin Soldier at age 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.
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. He earned his American Actors' Equity Association card when he performed in the 2002 Broadway revival Oklahoma! as Sam.
Wicked
1st national tour
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
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. 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:
"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:
"... 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.
The San Francisco production of Wicked closed on September 5, 2010.
Mary Poppins
Original Broadway cast
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. Dromard understudied many roles in the ensemble as a swing, including Von Hussler, William, and Bert.