With Broadway credits that include the Tony-winning Death Becomes Her and The Music Man revival starring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster, dancer and choreographer Nick Alvino has a following of nearly 500K followers on TikTok. He was part of a special one-night-only 50th anniversary concert performance of A Chorus Line at The Shubert Theatre and New York’s City Center Encores! staging of The Light in the Piazza. With his sights set on film and television next, he is a queer star on the rise.
Nick Alvino takes The Queer Review questionnaire with portraits by Steven Menendez.
What’s your star sign? Virgo
Which three words best describe you? Curious. Passionate. Dazzling.
Where did you grow up? I grew up in Long Island, New York in a small town called Levittown and moved to the city on my 21st birthday on September 15th, 2021.
What inspired you to become a dancer? I would dance around my house as a kid. I had sisters who danced and I wanted to be like them, but I didn’t want to take classes because I was afraid of getting made fun of. Luckily, my mom begged me to go and once I started I couldn’t stop!
When did you make your Broadway debut? In 2022 with The Music Man starring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster. I was in the ensemble and covered the role of Tommy.
What’s been the highlight of your career so far? Anytime I get to dance on a Broadway stage it is such a privilege that I don’t take for granted. In terms of a highlight though, I’d have to say being cast as a replacement in Death Becomes Her. It happened so fast, but it was so rewarding and fulfilling. I will never forget doing my first bow between Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard.
Who’s your Broadway idol? Chita Rivera. She just gets it. She embodies style and star quality in a way that feels innate. She can hold an audience captive with barely a movement and then explode with dynamism and control that only she could deliver.
What do you love about living New York City? The people. I’ve found that here, especially in the industry I’m in, they’re full of passion, desire, and big dreams. It’s contagious and I feel constantly inspired by it. I always say that living here feels like I’m in a movie… and I’m the star of it.
What’s your dream Broadway role? I resonate with Mike Costa from A Chorus Line and would love to play that role. A young man from a big Italian family watches his sisters dance and then he sings and dances to a number called “I Can Do That”. Like, come on…it’s me!
How accepted do you feel as a queer artist on Broadway? Personally, Broadway has felt like a playground for me as a young queer artist. It’s a space where we can create, connect and feel truly celebrated. My sexuality isn’t treated as something “other” and that freedom is really special. There’s a strong and visible queer community and that sense of belonging makes all the difference.
What’s your favorite New York LGBTQ+ nightlife spot? Nights off for me are typically on Mondays when you will find me at Vers Bar on 9th Avenue listening to show tunes as folks in the neighborhood sing their hearts out to live accompaniment by Andre Catrini.
What’s your current most-listened to album? I’ve been listening to Sienna Spiro’s Sink Now, Swim Later a lot lately. Her voice just soars and has so much power to it. It makes me want to dance and emote anytime I listen to her.
What advice do you wish you’d been given when you were starting out? Your job does not define you. What show you do or have done isn’t a reflection on who you are as a person. Keep working hard and finding things that spark joy outside of the industry. It can be so easy to spiral and turn inward on your ability, but trust yourself. Being a kind human is more important than being a successful human.
Follow Nick Alvino on Instagram @nickalvinoo & on TikTok @nick.alvino.