My Top 5 Showtunes: Trevor Dion Nicholas

Trevor Dion Nicholas is currently granting wishes as the Genie in Disney's Aladdin at the Prince Edward Theatre.

His previous theatre credits include Aladdin on Broadway, Big River, Super Fly: The Musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and The Wiz.

We caught up with Trevor and asked him: "If you were stranded on a desert island, which five showtunes could you not live without?"

These come in no particular order because it was damn near impossible to trim this list down to only five songs, and I still cheated a touch. Nevertheless, these are the cream of the proverbial crop as far as I'm concerned and I carry a deep affection for all five of these tunes. Any of these could slide their way into a cabaret of mine in the future!

1. "Hot Toxic Love" from The Toxic Avenger

This song is the penultimate power ballad nestled amongst over the top hilarity and and generous portions of B-Movie kitsch. The melody soars with the two leads achieving one of the most honest and heartfelt of shared moments on stage in this or any show. The first time I heard this song it immediately stuck in my head and still frequently resurfaces, encouraging me to randomly belt from time to time.

2. "Favorite Son" from American Idiot

As a massive Green Day fan this had to make my list. A song that truly encapsulates the unspoken angst of a post 9/11 United States, placed in a musical that truly encapsulates the unspoken angst of a post 9/11 United States! I was 18 when the World Trade Center attack happened, so the appeal of American Idiot, and this tune in particular, resonates deeply with that memory. Plus it freaking rocks!

3. "Dulcinea" from Man of La Mancha

"Dulcinea" represents the most gorgeous moment in Man of La Mancha, where Don Quixote's delusions transform from grandeur to affection. Hearing him eloquently pledge his heart to a version of this woman that doesn't truly exist except for in his own mind breaks my heart every single time. I implore you to check out the Brian Stokes Mitchell 2002 cast recording!

4. "The Word of Your Body" from Spring Awakening

Such an incredibly haunting and emotionally vulnerable moment in music. We all have or will experience the complete unabashed fury that is young love, but this song paints it in its most authentic forms; "Oh, I'm gonna be wounded. Oh, I'm gonna be your wound. Oh, I'm gonna bruise you. Oh, you're gonna be my bruise." Hearing those lyrics sung so earnestly will shake even the most hardened of hearts to their soul.

5. "The Madness of King Scar" from The Lion King

Everyone loves a good villain, therefore a great villain song is paramount! Opening act two by shining a humanising light on the thought process of Scar is brilliantly effective storytelling. Letting the audience dip into his psyche and poke around to see what's driving this evil uncle gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. Such a shame this is no longer used in the current running productions of the show.

Special consideration: "When I Grow Up" from Matilda, "Pretty Women" from Sweeney Todd, and "Skid Row" from Little Shop of Horrors.

Theatre is love and life and all of these songs bring me both!

Much love
Trev