JESSE NAGER, Boston (Massachusetts)

His professional debut:  SUMMER STOCK (The Student Prince, North Shore Music Theater), FAME ON 42ND ST (Off-Broadway), MAMMA MIA! (Broadway).

Other theatre credits include: GOOD VIBRATIONS and MARY POPPINS on Broadway. National Tour of XANADU. Regional productions of FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE, Stephen Sondheim´s BEING ALIVE, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND. He has sung with Mariah Carey, Shania Twain, and Jason Mraz. Jesse is the Artistic Director of The Broadway Boys, a collection of NY tenors that add elements of Pop/Gospel/Funk to traditional musical theater repertoire.

Currently: Just closed XANADU on tour. Also, The Broadway Boys released their debut album ‘Lullaby of Broadway’ on June 8th.


- The first musical you saw and/or most impressed you: A CHORUS LINE on Broadway changed my life.

- You would like to make a duet with:  Beyonce, Pink, Jason Mraz, or Audra McDonald or Briand D’Arcy James or Shoshana Bean.

- Webber or Sondheim?: Sondheim!!!

- London or New York?: NYC, where I grew up!

- Do you keep the programmes of the musicals you watch?: Every single one!

- The worst moment you’ve had live on the stage was (as a performer and/or as a spectator): LOL. I forgot the 2nd reprise of “Our Time” in Sondheim’s MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG.  There are three.  And I was sure the female character had missed a cue. SO, I tried to improvise to cover up “her mistake”. Alter my costar started singing what was supposed to be my part…I realized I was wrong and was mortified.  The worst part is I used her character name and at that point in the show I hadn’t even met her yet to know what her name was!  Yikes!

- An unforgettable moment: (as a performer and/or as a spectator): Performing with Mariah Carey at Madison Square Garden in her Fanatsy Tour.  It was so huge!

- Do you have any superstitions before the opening night?: I like to take a moment every night to shut out the outside World, and if possible involve other castmates.

- A musical character that you would like to BE (not perform): Elphaba!  Super powers, man!

- A character of your opposite sex that you would like to perform: ELPHABA!!!

- What do you like best/least about your work? I love making people think and explore ideas in new ways.  But I do dread doing the exact same thing every night.  I try to make small changes in every show.

- What is your favorite musical movie? DREAMGIRLS maybe…  No, Disney’s HERCULES!!!!!

- The last CD/DVD related to Musicals that you have bought is: ‘Lullaby of Broadway’ by The Broadway Boys!!!  Um, and SISTER ACT, London Cast starring my dear friend Patina Miller!

- What is your favorite line from a musical: HAIRSPRAY! - Edna is livid and through her teeth says, “Tracy!  Hola mommy’s WAFFLES!”

- Agree or disagree with TV Shows finding new Musical Stars: DISAGREE.  They tend to be very mediocre.

- You feel proud of: The Broadway Boys.  I love what my little dream has become.  And my new marriage.  My best Project yet!

- Of this moment you’re living as an actor, the most important thing to you is: My happiness.  If something in my life is bothering me I try to work it out.  If I don’t enjoy a show anymore, I leave.  If I feel bored, I arrange and get inspired.  My happiness and happiness of those around me is so important to me.

- Other projects you are working on: The Broadway Boys are going to be recording our Holiday album in three weeks!