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Danny Quadrino and David Paul Kidder.
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Two Actors from TOMMY Shine Together, Both On & Off the Stage

Performers Danny Quadrino and David Paul Kidder shine together both on and off the stage. These two actors, who are real-life partners, can currently be seen eight times a week in the Tony-nominated revival of The Who’s TOMMY at the Nederlander Theatre on Broadway. As part of Broadway Direct’s celebration of Pride Month, Spectrum News NY1 entertainment journalist Frank DiLella caught up with Quadrino and Kidder during a break from TOMMY to chat about their showmance.

Danny Quadrino and David Paul Kidder.

How did this showmance happen?

DANNY QUADRINO: We met on the first national tour of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in 2018. We’ve been together since then. We kept it under wraps the whole time we were on the road.

DAVID PAUL KIDDER: We were being secretive, but then eventually everyone knew because we were on the road for a full year together.

Did you play opposite each other in Charlie?

DPK: Danny was Mike Teevee and I was in the ensemble playing an Oompa Loompa.

DQ: That’s what got my heart. [Laughs.]

Who asked who out first?

DPK: I don’t know. We were friends. Then we started hanging out. And then one thing led to another.

The Nederlander Theatre means a lot to the two of you. Danny, you were last at the Nederlander in Newsies.

DQ: Being back at the Nederlander is so special to me. I have the same dressing station that I had for Newsies. The theatre is iconic. It’s a full-circle moment for me. There’s a lot of the same crew from Newsies backstage, so it felt like coming home to family.

David, TOMMY marks your Broadway debut. What does this moment mean for you?

DPK: Everything about this experience seems perfect. And the timing is perfect. The fact that it’s with Danny and in a place that’s so special to him — it’s all unbelievable to me. I’ve been working toward and waiting for my Broadway debut for so long. I moved to New York City 12 years ago and this was always the goal.

Danny Quadrino and David Paul Kidder.

Did you guys book TOMMY together?

DQ: I was with TOMMY in Chicago, and knew I was doing it before David got the audition for Broadway. And when he got the audition, we had a talk saying, “If this doesn’t come your way, TOMMY is still going to be in your life.”

DPK: When I got the audition, it took a second for me to say yes to it because I thought, “If I don’t get this job, I have to go to opening night either way.” I didn’t want to have my hopes up. But it worked out!

Danny, you’re in the ensemble, and David, you’re a swing. David, tell me about the first time you went on in the show.

DPK: It was wild. I’m a swing and I also cover Captain Walker. And in the second week of previews, Adam Jacobs unfortunately got sick and was out and I went on for Captain Walker. I hadn’t had any rehearsal yet. I got two hours of a rehearsal before the show that night. I had so much support with the company. But the first line that Captain Walker sings is a duet with Danny’s ensemble track, so on stage I couldn’t look him in the eye because I felt the tears welling up. When I saw Danny, it was a moment of relief. Knowing I had Danny there, it was a wildly special moment. My first words sung on a Broadway stage was a duet I did with Danny.

DQ: I was a blubbering mess when I went off stage in the wings — I was sobbing with pride.

Danny Quadrino and David Paul Kidder. Photo by Michael Kushner.

Speaking of pride, ensemble members and swings are the true backbone of any musical. There must be a lot of pride in knowing that you both are members of that club. 

DPK: One hundred percent! This ensemble is like no other. Everyone is working so hard. The talent is unreal. It’s such an ensemble-driven show. Every person has big, featured moments. And swinging it, I get to see it from all sides.

DQ: To get on stage no matter how tired you are, once that downbeat starts, everyone is in it and ready to go!

As a couple, is it easy living and working together?

DQ: We’ve been together so long, and we started our relationship working together.

When I think of meaningful LGBTQ+ theater, RENT is certainly up there. It opened on Broadway at your theatre. Do you feel the ghosts of that show with you on stage?

DQ: I feel that there is a special kind of energy in the Nederlander. I think it’s from the giants who were on the stage before us. RENT was one of those shows that made me think: Broadway can do rock music! Cool! And it made me want to do what I do. I do feel the sacred energy in the Nederlander.

How are you celebrating Pride?

DQ: We’re doing eight shows a week at the Nederlander! We celebrate Pride every day. I’m proud of who I am every single day.

DPK: To be in this production with my partner — to be together performing on Broadway — it’s something that I never even knew was possible, and I have so much pride in that.


Header photo by Tricia Baron.

Learn More About The Who’s TOMMY