Professional Theatre

Nicole Scimeca

Actress, Singer, Dancer, Model

Nicole was cast in several award winning, high profile professional theatre productions at a very young age.  

She was able to work with stars of the big screen (Billy Zane, Titanic), TV (Edward Hibbet, Frazier) Broadway (Jenn Gambatese, Wicked), Opera (Christine Brewer, International Opera Star)  and Marc Bruni (Broadway's Beautiful) in the Sound of Music at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.  She continued to work in professional theatre booking the role of Cosette in Les Miserables at the Paramount Theatre, as well as Cindy Lou Who in the national tour of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  Her cast was the sit down for the season at the historic Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.  

From there, Nicole originated the role of young Anastasia in the new musical Anastasia.  She worked with the creative team of Darko Tresnjak (Broadway's A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder,)   Terrence McNally (Broadway's Kiss of the Spider Woman and Ragtime,) and Lynn Ahrens/Stephen Flaherty (Broadway's Once On This Island, Seussical,  Rocky, and many more).  Nicole made the transfer from Pre Broadway to Broadway and played the role in the Original Broadway Cast.  She can be heard the Broadway recording and was seen in their performance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  

After Broadway, she has continued to perform consistantly in many professional theatres located throughout the Midwest.   Nicole was cast as title role in Matilda at the Wagon Wheel Center for Performing Arts,  Baby June in Gypsy at the McLeod Summer Playhouse, and Jane Banks in Mary Poppins at Drury Lane Theatre. Most recently she returned to Drury Lane to portray Charlie Winslow in Holiday Inn where she received many glowing reviews.

Most recently in the summer of 2023, Nicole made her Steppenwolf Theatre debut in the World Premiere of Another Marriage with Judy Greer.  It was directed by co - founder Terry Kinney.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Check out Nicole's shout outs

Holiday Inn

(Drury Lane Theatre)

Voted one of the Top Performances of 2021 by Chicago Now for her portrayal of Charlie Winslow in Holiday Inn

"Young Nicole Scimeca is dynamic and hilarious as Charlie Winslow, one of Linda Mason's middle school students.  Her energetic presence, dry delivery of dialogue, precise comic timing and talent as a top notch singer and dancer bright her thunderous applause opening night.  This little actress is someone to watch." -Colin Douglas, chicagotheatrereview

"Another show-stopper was the adorable Nicole Scimeca as Charlie.  Her performance is reminiscence of great child superstar actors like Natalie Wood, Margaret O'Brien, or even Eva Lee Kuney, who played in the original movie, Holiday Inn." - Let's Play, Chicago Now

"They prove that good things come in small packages ... an incredible performance by Nicole Scimeca as Charlie.  She is adorable and dances up a storm in the firecracker sequence.  I can tell you that this will get you into the holiday spirit and is a great welcome back to this glorious theater." - Alan Bresloff, Around The Town Chicago

Anastasia​​

(Broadhurst Theatre, Broadway 

Hartford Stage, Pre Broadway)

​"This performance completes the quartet of fetching females:  charming child Anastasia, spunky Anya, wicked Lily, and warmly authoritative Dowager Empress.  Go ahead, try to resist."   - Karen Bovard,  Broadwayworld

"Nicole Scimeca, playing Anastasia at age 6 and singing "Once Upon A December" with Mary Beth Peil, is nothing short of adorable."  - Fred Sokol, Talkin' Broadway

"Once Upon a December" ... is never more moving than it is at the start when Peil, as Anastasia's Nana, the Empress, sings it with Anastasia, age 6 (Nicole Scimeca."  - Donald Brown, New Haven Review

"... all play multiple roles, including an adorable child named Nicole Scimeca who plays not just Anastasia at age 6  but her brother Prince Alexei as well." -  Christopher Arnott, Harford Courant

"...but when the play opens with Nicole Scimeca as young Anastasia (age 6)  I already knew I was in for a treat.  She was outstanding in the ways that I believe truly talented children are able to contribute their gifts to any show."  -Someday Productions LLC and Pillow Talking

"... with Nicole Scimeca, giving a sweet performance as Young Anastasia" -Matthew Murray, Talkin' Broadway

"the cute Nicole Scimeca" -Bill Stevenson, Theater News Online

"...the superb Nicole Scimeca." Alix Cohen, Playing Around

​The Grinch That Stole Christmas (Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, TN)  

"The standout member of Whoville, however, is Cindy Lou Who ... Scimeca presents a spot on portrayal of this unforgettable character and does an outstanding job of melting the Grinch's tiny heart to the point it blossoms three times bigger" -  Chad Young, 
Nashville Parent

​Les Miserables  

(Paramount Theatre)

Voted 2015 Jeff Award Winner (Best Musical - Large Production)

"Young Nicole Scimeca is perfection as Little Cosette, holding her own on an empty stage with her heartfelt "Castle on a Cloud" - Colin Douglas, Chicago Theatre Review

​"Children play key roles and the Paramount has cast well ... especially Nicole Scimeca as Little Cosette.  Scimeca looks like a tot of about 5 years old and yet sings the plaintive "Castle on a Cloud number all alone on that vast stage in front of hundreds of people like a miniature adult professional." - Don Zeff, Chicagoland Theatre Reviews

"... young Cosette (Nicole Scimeca is charming, adorable, and has a sweet voice-easy to listen to) - Al Bresloff, Around the Town Chicago

​

Sound of Music (Lyric Opera of Chicago)

Voted 2014 Broadwayworld Award Winner (Best Theatrical Event)

"While Zane and Gambatese are not to be discredited for their performances in the lead roles, Christine Brewer's (Mother Abbess) powerhouse voice and Nicole Scimeca's (Gretl) unbearable cuteness make them two minor characters to linger in the audience's mind. Six-year-old Nicole Scimeca portrays the youngest von Trapp child, Gretl, and elicits more "Awws" and giggles than one could imagine possible from a production set in Nazi-occupied Austria. "  - The Examiner.com
 
"Six Reasons to See Lyric Opera's Sound of Music
2) The kids are the most adorable thing ever. Especially the littlest one." -Bob Bullen, ChicagoTheatreAddict.com
 
 "...Nichole Scimeca (a scene steeling Gretl)"  -Michael Roberts, SHOWBIZCHICAGO 

"...the particularly scene stealing Nicole Scimeca (Gretl)."  -Chicagoist.com
 
"The Von Trapp children, played primarily by talented local kids, steal the show – especially Nicole Scimeca as sweet little Gretl." -Elizabeth Diffin, Chicago Parent

"Nicole Scimeca as the youngest child, Gretl was irresistible ..." - Barbara Keer, Splash Magazine

 
"...and tiny Nicole Scimeca (her Gretl rides a bicycle like a pro, and her high note is flawlessly in tune)."  - Paul W. Thompson, Broadwayworld


"...Gretl (tiny, adorable, full-voiced Nicole Scimeca)" - Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun Times