Singer-actor-dancer-composer-author Yvette Gonzalez–Nacer is fast becoming one of entertainment’s “go to” talents. We caught up with the multifaceted young lady as she prepares to fill in some pretty big dance shoes by playing the all-singing all-dancing “Nicki” in REPRISE 2.0’s upcoming production of Sweet Charity — a role portrayed by the iconic Chita Rivera in the 1969 film adaptation.
CRIS FRANCO (CF): At the outset, I want to say that I saw you playing “Cha-Cha” in Grease: Live — and I thought the whole production was terrific and you were outstanding.
YVETTE GONZALEZ-NACER (YGN): Thank you so much!
Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer PC: Tom Drucker
CF: Preparing a full musical for one live performance must be a whirlwind of activity. What do you remember about the actual shoot day?
YGN: It was so much fun! Everyone had worked so hard for those weeks leading up to the big night so it was pretty exciting when it finally happened. I think what I remember the most was the good times I had with everyone. Everyone was ridiculously talented.
CF: You’re ridiculously talented, too. I understand that your mom had everything to do with your getting into the performing arts.
YGN: Yes, my wonderful mother had my sisters and I take violin lessons when I was three-years-old. Growing up in Miami with my Cuban family, music and the arts were always a very important part of my upbringing. I fell in love with music and performing at a very young age and have been following that passion my whole life.
CF: How did your passion lead to landing a lead in Nickelodeon’s The Fresh Beat Band?
YGN: When I was living in NY, I got a call from my agent saying they were looking for someone who could sing, act, dance and play a musical instrument. At that point, I had worked in all those disciplines so it was a really good fit.
CF: The Fresh Beat Band quickly became one of Nic’s most popular shows. You taught your young viewers about getting along, not giving up, teamwork. What did working on The Fresh Beat Band teach you?
YGN: I feel like everything we taught our viewers, I also learned! Ha-ha. There was a pretty quick turnaround with the show (we had a week to learn the dances, record a song, learn the instruments, block and shoot the episode, etc.) so a big lesson for me was learning to let go of being a perfectionist and embrace and enjoy the process.
CF: “Enjoying the process” is such a joyous attitude towards life. How do you feel that your Cuban-American background has influenced your career and/or creativity?
YGN: It is always a part of everything I do, because it is a part of me. It even finds its way into some of the music I am writing and releasing. I have a Spanish duet coming out next month as well as an album in August. The album is in English, but a lot of the songs have some Latin elements in it! I really love infusing my culture into what I do because I am so proud of where I come from.
(L-R): Krystal Joy Brown, Laura Bell Bundy, Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer Photo credit: Tom Drucker
CF: You have a lot to be proud of – more than a triple-threat, you’re a quintuple threat being an actor, singer, dancer, songwriter and literary writer. Which of these creative efforts gives you the most joy or satisfaction and why?
YGN: There is nothing like performing live. The opportunity to create an experience and share that moment with the audience, is magical.
CF: As a songwriter, what inspires your compositions? Of which of your songs are you most proud — and why?
YGN: I am inspired by what’s going on in my personal life and in the world. It has always been an outlet for me to express and to understand myself. I have a lot of songs I’m proud of…but I feel like picking one is like picking your favorite child! That being said, I wrote a lullaby recently that I made a music video for and released last month. It is called Who We Were Before and I wrote it while I was going through a pretty painful time. It is basically about remembering that even when we feel broken, time will heal us and we’ll eventually go back to who we were before all the pain. Go check it out on YouTube or Spotify if you get a chance! Shameless plug, ha-ha! Another song I’m proud of is called Classy and it is on Spotify as well. It’s a fun, empowering song about not letting anyone bring you down.
CF: In the Heights is such a celebration of Latinx culture — what was it like starring as “Vanessa” in the First National Tour of In the Heights?
YGN: It was amazing. Lin, Tommy, Alex and Andy are such a phenomenal team and getting to know and work with them meant so much to me. I was and I continue to be inspired by each and every one of them. They also have an incredible knack for bringing people together that become like family! In the Heights is such a special show and anytime I can represent my culture and my people, I feel honored.
CF: You are representing your culture by being cast as “Nicki” in the upcoming REPRISE 2.0 revival of Sweet Charity. These REPRISE productions are assembled very quickly. How are rehearsals going and how is the experience so far?
YGN: Today was Day 2 of rehearsals and I am wondering why everyone is so calm. Ha-ha. It’s actually going great so far. The cast and the team are great, so even though it is going to be a quick one, it’s going to be a lot of fun!
CF: It’s very revealing that you consider hard work “fun.” Which of your personality traits is most responsible for your success?
(L-R): Krystal Joy Brown, Laura Bel Bundy, REPRISE 2.0 Producing Artistic Director, Marcia Seligson, Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer PC: Tom Drucker
YGN: I love what I do. I am so grateful that I’m able to do what I love for a living. Maybe a quality that is responsible for my success is not taking ‘no’ for an answer. Also, I always want to keep growing, so for me the hustle and the passion never dies, cause there is always deeper to go.
CF: Very true. I’d like to go deeper right now about what’s going on in our community. This is a challenging time for Latinos. Even for those of us who are decidedly NOT political, today just being an feels like a political act. Do you have anything to say about the anti-immigrant policies like the border wall, DACA, deporting hundreds of thousands of Salvadorians, etc?
YGN: There are so many more important things the government should be spending those 18 billion dollars on. The wall is pointless, a waste of federal dollars and hypocritical, not to mention detrimental to the wildlife and the environment. I believe that ending the DACA program would be yet another ignorant, hateful and racist act. We are all dreamers and to deport hundreds of thousands of law-abiding residents of the United States, over half of who have been here for more than two decades, have mortgages and families, back to a country engulfed in corruption, violence and weak governance is ethically wrong and a scenario where no one wins.
CF: I knew you’d have a lot to say – writers always do. You’re succeeding in so many different fields of entertainment, what advice do you have for aspiring artists?
YGN: Always keep pushing yourself to be better than you were yesterday. It’s not always going to be peaches and cream, but as cliché as it may sound, you have to keep working hard and always believe in yourself.
CF: Wise words from a young, prolific talent. If you’d like to see Yvette doing what she loves most – performing live, you can catch her in REPRISE 2.0’s Sweet Charity, 15 performances only, (Wednesday) June 20 through (Sunday) July 1 at UCLA’s Freud Playhouse.
For tickets & all show info: https://www.reprise2.org
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