Hometown: Niles, Ohio
Education: Wright State University in Dayton, OH, Second City in Chicago, and UCB in New York.
Select Credits: Grease (Sonny, Broadway National Tour 2008-10); Altar Boyz (Abe, Chicago Water Tower Theatre); Forbidden Broadway (all over the place); Follies (Young Ben, Kennedy Center)
Why theater?: Why not!? It's a blast! I've loved theatre and performing since I was a kid, I come from a family of performers, my dad and uncle had a band growing up and were both Equity Actors at one point and my parents met doing community theatre together, so it's kind of in my blood.
Tell us about Balls: First off, Balls...the Musical? will change your life! Is that statement a major claim? Yes. But it definitely has changed mine. I've had a blast working on it and these guys are the funniest guys I know. It's a musical parody from a completely new view, the straight male in musical theatre. Of course, we don't take ourselves too seriously and we have jokes in the show aimed at everyone. Think "The Hangover" set to music. Is that statement a major claim? You'll have to come to find out!
What is it like to be a part of Balls?: It's been great! I was in the last version of our show, Balls: V.D. Edition for Valentine's day. We kind of did a cabaret version that lead us to this full production. The great thing about the show is it has the ability to constantly change with the times. Jokes can change, songs can change, and the story can remain the same. We have two new hilarious additions to the Balls family, Ryan G. Dunkin and Will Ray. They are taking over for me and Tuba since we aren't able to be a part of the cast on this one. They couldn't be a better fit with the show and we're happy to have them on our team! And we also have Kasey Marino as our director, Sonny Paladino as our Music Director, and the hilariously talented Abby Lee as our choreographer/assistant director.
What is it like to be doing both Balls and Follies at the same time?: It's been alot of work, but it is truly a dream come true, making my Broadway debut and having a premiere of something I co-wrote in the NYMF. It's crazy!
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as artists?: I love all kinds of theatre, but I am really drawn to comedy, I always have been. Balls has been a great creative outlet for me to write what I love doing. I look up to alot of different people, not all of them are necessarily in theatre. Right now my hero is Larry David. He's freakin hilarious!
Any roles you’re dying to play?: Nick in Balls...the Musical? on Broadway. I hear that's coming in next Fall. Too much?...too soon?
What’s your favorite show tune?: Don't really have a favorite, but we definitely give our own spin to some of Broadway's classics!
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Larry David.
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Larry David in "How Balls Got to Broadway"
What show have you recommended to your friends?: C'mon...that's easy...Man and Boy...then Balls...then Follies. I was joking about the Man and Boy thing.
What’s up next?: Follies through the beginning of the year!!! Check it out!!!
For more information on Nick, visit http://www.nickverina.com/. For more information on Balls...the Musical? visit http://www.ballsthemusical.com/. For more information on Follies, visit http://www.folliesbroadway.com/. Balls is playing at the 47th Street Theater Wednesday, October 12 at 10:30pm, Thursday, October 13 at 8pm and 11pm, and Saturday, October 15 at 11:30pm. You can purchase tickets at the box office or at http://www.nymf.org/Balls.
