What’s Up, Nicolas Dromard? Mary Poppins’ Last Bert on Kissing Depraved Witches and Dancing on the Ceiling | Broadway Buzz

Nicolas Dromard has worked his way up from the ensemble to the lead role in two high-profile musicals: Wicked, in which he jumped from swing on the first national tour to an acclaimed run as Fiyero in the San Francisco production, and Mary Poppins, in which he jumped from swing in the original Broadway cast to a star-turn as Mary’s chimney sweep buddy Bert. When the show ends on March 3, Broadway.com had a chat with the Canadian-born actor about his emerging career and dream role.

How does it feel to come full circle with Mary Poppins and end the Broadway run as Bert?
Great! It’s such an honor. At first we were shocked and saddened that the show was coming to an end, but six and a half years on Broadway is a great run. The show has an incredible message and it makes the audience so happy. It’s a privilege to say I was the last Bert on Broadway.

What is fun about playing Bert?
I think Bert is one of the best male roles on Broadway. He is the narrator, he sets the mood and he is omnipresent – he is constantly on stage and dancing. What other role can you dance on the ceiling in?

To the right! What is this moment like?
It’s a roller coaster ride. “Step In Time” is my favorite part of the show. There’s an adrenaline rush and I get butterflies in my stomach every time. They trap me and I just do it. It’s such an impressive stunt: I go up a wall and 30 seconds later I’m back down. It’s over so fast! I wish it was longer.

You danced on ceilings all over America. Does the New Amsterdam Theater feel different?
The set is different on tour – the Banks house opens up like a pop-up book, unlike the Broadway set which is a three story house! But coming back to New York was like riding a bike again.

What memories do you have of playing Fiyero in Wicked’s San Francisco Company?
It was so much fun. In 2009 I left Poppins on Broadway to join Wicked. Fiyero is a dream role because you can kiss the blonde, kiss the green, swing on a rope and bow! Bert is a beast compared to Fiyero. It’s very physical.

You were also on The Boy From Oz ten years ago. Any good Hugh Jackman stories for us?
He’s just great and I want to work with him again. He’s so excited; I’ve never seen anyone work that hard before. And his dressing room was always open – when your mom and dad came backstage after the show, he chatted with them.

You were born and raised in Ottawa, Canada and didn’t speak English until you were seven. Are you still fluent in French?
Oh yes, with my family. My grandmother doesn’t speak a word of English, but my parents do. You translated for the Canadian government.

At what age did you lose your French accent?
I still have a slight French accent, but I can hide it. It still comes out when I’m tired or have had a glass or two of wine.

You’ve played squeaky clean roles for quite a while now. Desire to be bad?
Naturally! I would love to play in Jersey Boys and play Tommy DeVito.