Carlos Gonzalez
Carlos Gonzalez was born and raised in Cuba. His mother won the United States Visa Lottery when he was 11 years old. The family left their native Cuba and was transported to the States in the hope of a better future. At the suggestion of a high school teacher, Gonzalez took up drama in order to improve his English, but he also got the ‘acting bug’ during those years. When it came time for college, he turned down a full scholarship to go to architecture school and decided instead to attend Montclair State University, where he received a BFA in Acting with a minor in Dance.
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Since graduating, Gonzalez’ credits include West Side Story Directed by Steven Spielberg, West Side Story Ivo Van Hove revival (Original Broadway Cast); On Your Feet (Original Broadway Cast), In The Heights (National Tour), Zorro The Musical (Asia Tour) and the Off-Broadway sensation FUERZA BRUTA, as well as various regional productions. He also performed for Telemundo, Norwegian Cruise Lines, PBS, and more.
Commercials that Carlos has worked on include Barcardi Rum, Nintendo Wii, and American Airlines. Carlos returned to Cuba as part of the creative team of the first two professional musicals produced there in 50 years: Carmen Jones: El Amor Cubano and RENT.
After touring with numerous shows, Gonzalez debuted on Broadway in 2015 in the Emilio and Gloria Estefan biographical jukebox musical, On Your Feet. Carlos' performance was even nominated for a Fred Astaire Award as Outstanding Male Dancer in a Broadway show. He performed with the cast on the Tony Awards, Good Morning America, The View, the Macy's Day Parade, and alongside Gloria Estefan in concert.
Carlos now 32 years old, will be seen in Broadway’s revival of West Side Story—which opened February 20—and in director Steven Spielberg’s new film version of the musical, premiering later this year. He will also appear briefly in the film version of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical In The Heights, due in theaters this summer. Carlos the opportunities that have opened up for him are really incredible.
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On West Side Story, Carlos is cast as Pepe, a member of the Sharks, one of two youth gangs battling for turf in the tough Hell’s Kitchen section of Manhattan. He is also the understudy for a lead character, Bernardo. Carlos never thought in a million years he would cover a lead on a Broadway show.
The revival, directed by Ivo van Hove, is a modernization of previous productions. The choreography is new, and at least one of the classic numbers—“I Feel Pretty”—has been dropped to keep the show to a single act. And while the original West Side Story was set in the 1950s, in the new version, characters brandish cellphones and cameras to project scenes on a screen. philosophically.
To Carlos, it really feels like they are creating a new show by it being very 2020. He already had been picked for Broadway’s West Side Story when Gonzalez heard Spielberg was casting for a new film version.
Unfortunately, Carlos missed the initial audition because he was in Cuba. A few months later, he got a second chance to audition and was cast as a new character, Chucho. Carlos believes that life throws at you what you’re ready for.
During the shooting, Carlos closely watched the director in action as he was in the room with Spielberg. He felt like you just learn so much and his brain could not process all the things happening in front of him. Because In The Heights was being shot at the same time as West Side Story, Gonzalez was only available for one day of shooting for Miranda’s movie. He describes his role as the funniest, tiniest little cameo that you’ll ever see.
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Carlos really gives the credit to his parents for his success. Every project, to Carlos, is about making them proud. He remains mindful of his Cuban roots, going back often to perform and to mentor local students. He also relishes visiting his parents in Elizabeth—and stopping by his former school to inspire students there. For Carlos, to really give back, it’s the most fulfilling thing. It all feels full circle for him.
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