Draft:John Cardoza

John Cardoza (born March 25, 1994) is an American actor and tenor singer, best known for originating the role of Younger Noah in The Notebook on Broadway.

Early life and education
Cardoza was born in Taunton, Massachusetts. He has one sister, who is two years older. His mother passed away in 2020, and Cardoza credits The Notebook with helping him come to terms with her passing.

"My mom passed away a few years ago, she passed away in 2020. And one of the greatest gifts of this show is that my character starts off the show talking about the loss of his mother and his bond with her through music, which is not at all unsimilar to my experience with my own mother. So I've been able to carry her onstage with me every night in the most special way. And I'm so grateful to Bekah and Ingrid for writing the show that way and making her so present in everything that he does."

He received his BFA in Musical Theatre from the Boston Conservatory of Music.

Career
Cardoza portrayed Gabe in Next to Normal in 2017 at TheaterWorks in Hartford, Connecticut.

Cardoza got his start on Broadway in the ensemble of Jagged Little Pill, which opened at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts on May 5, 2018, and later transferred to Broadway. He also originated the role of Daniel LaRusso in The Karate Kid musical, which opened at STAGES St Louis on May 25, 2022.

During the pandemic, Cardoza offered classes on acting at the Burt Wood School of Performing Arts. He has also performed solo concerts at New York City venue 54 Below.

In March 2023, Cardoza replaced Conor Ryan as Christian in the North American tour of Moulin Rouge!, starring opposite Courtney Reed.

Cardoza is perhaps best known for originating the role of Younger Noah in The Notebook. The show held an off-Broadway run at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater from September 6-October 16, 2022, and opened on Broadway at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater on March 14, 2024 after 5 weeks of preview performances.

Personal Life
Cardoza identifies as queer.

Cast recordings

 * Jagged Little Pill (Original Broadway Cast Recording) (Atlantic Records, 2019)
 * The Notebook (Original Broadway Cast Recording) (Atlantic Records, 2024); 12 tracks