"Be Curious. Work Hard." - Chatting with Members of the Choir Nick Varricchio!

I would like you to meet Nick Varricchio. Nick will be performing in Members of the Choir at The Chain Theatre by Evan Edwards and directed by Rick Hamilton. Before joining the Choir, Nick has performed Nationally and Internally in the tours of Beautiful, Saturday Night Fever, and A Chorus Line (a musical he has also performed on four different occasions regionally), Off-Broadway in Kris Kringle, and My Big Gay Italian Wedding. He has also worked regionally with companies such as The Westchester Broadway Theatre, The Wick, Riverside Theatre, North Carolina Theatre, and Sacramento Music Circus among many others. I am very thankful to have the chance to feature such a talented and seasoned actor in Nick!  

How old were you when you knew you wanted a career in the performing arts? 

I spent my whole childhood dreaming up fantastical stories and playing make-believe in the backyard with my brothers. I would watch Turner Classic Movies with my mom every Sunday afternoon, and I would then proceed to reenact them, pretending I was Monty Clift and Cary Grant. It wasn’t until my first trip to New York when I realized you could seriously make a profession out of acting.

Where did you study? Are there any mentors who helped shape you into the artist you are today? 

I am an alumnus of Baldwin Wallace University’S Conservatory of Music. I would very much like to credit all of my professors and peers in the development of my art and craft, in particular, the Music Theatre department head and my mentor Victoria Bussert. I was exposed to a tremendous amount of talent and skill. In hindsight, my college education was merely the genesis for the real-world schooling yet to come.

Congratulations on Members of the Choir! Evan Edwards is a true gem in this industry and it is so exciting to see new works come to light like this. What about Members of the Choir excites you?

The actual ignition of our production's catapult excites me most. We have a finite amount of time to dissect and mold and play, and my body quivers with adrenaline to just get started!

You have worked all over the world. Are there any shows, performances, or moments in your wonderful career that sticks out and are near and dear to your heart? 

Having been a member of Manila's theatre scene on two separate occasions, Saturday Night Fever (Double J/ u/s Tony) & Beautiful (Gerry Goffin), I have such immense respect for the Filipino theatre community, and I encourage everyone to travel there to witness it. I am inspired by their dedication, their collective talents, and hard work. I was reminded that theatre is a privilege, and one must always approach the work with that revelation in mind.

What advice would you give any young aspiring artist?

Be curious. Work hard and then work harder than you thought you could.

Members of the Choir opens at The Chain Theatre on October 22nd at 8:00 pm with additional performances at 2:00 pm & 8:00 on October 23rd. For more information please visit - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/members-of-the-choir-tickets-172105731877