Rich@DallasVoice.com<\/a><\/p>\n
The character of Boq in Wicked is certainly not a main player in the larger-than-life musical, but the Munchkin does play a pivotal role in the story of Oz. Still, that\u2019s not the reason Nicolas Garza was drawn to what has become a dream role for the actor.<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean, I\u2019m 5 feet, 6 inches, so how many roles call for that,\u201d Garza said ahead of his evening performance at the Music Hall at Fair Park. \u201cI mean, there\u2019s Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys, but I\u2019m not quite there yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite his humble words though, Garza turns in a lovely performance as the young student who loves Glinda but ultimately ends up in a loveless marriage with Elphaba\u2019s sister, Nessarose. The actor delivers the role with a mix of earnestness and frustration that lead to the character\u2019s pivotal turn.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Nicholas-Garza.jpg\")
Nicolas Garza is Boq in the national touring production of Wicked<\/p>\n
Now, after a year of being with the show, Garza finishes his tenure as Boq during Broadway Dallas\u2019 production of Wicked. The show is on stage at the Music Hall through June 14, but Garza ends his run in the show on June 7. So any repeat viewers may see two different versions of the character.<\/p>\n
For the actor, it\u2019s the end of an exciting year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is sort of my Texas homecoming,\u201d The San Antonio-area actor said. \u201cI have family and friends coming in to see the first big thing I\u2019m in.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Wicked has been in Garza\u2019s life much longer than the past year. The guy had known the songs since elementary school, and he saw the touring show in San Antonio way back when.<\/p>\n
Garza grew up in Helotes where he started his theater journey in middle school. He\u2019s very matter of fact about it all despite reaching this high level.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really wanted to ensure I had a class with my friends at this new school at the time. Then I went to UT for theater education,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
For many performers, theater and queer identity are often linked through a process of shared discovery. However, Garza\u2019s coming out followed a path that was far more low-key. After his parents attended one of his productions, the family gathered for dinner.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was talking to a boy in New York City and was going to visit and they had all these questions until finally, I was like \u2018This is the situation.\u2019 And they responded \u2018Oh, we knew,\u2019\u201d he recalled.<\/p>\n
Garza, who identifies as a gay, Polish-Mexican biracial Texan, says today that he\u2019s been lucky to serve his identity by having played many queer roles. His role in Matthew Lopez\u2019s The Inheritance, an update of E.M. Forster\u2019s Howards End reframed for the New York queer community, was perhaps the most significant to him. And there was his part in The Ugly Christmas Sweater Musical, as well as the queer-coded Franz in Rock of Ages.<\/p>\n
Although Boq may be clearly for the girls, the character has given the 31-year-old gay actor an avenue to his own discoveries.]<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the universal aspect of this plot is that everyone wants to be loved, and Boq tries to make the best of it,\u201d Garza said. \u201cHe leads with his heart and that\u2019s been my takeaway \u2014 having an open heart and open soul like he does. And beyond that, just sharing this story with so many people.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis journey has been so fulfilling. The universe said I was ready for this so I have all the gratitude.\u201d <\/p>\n