From Broadway Back to the Boardwalk

When Spring Lake Heights resident Nick Barrington stepped onto the Broadway stage in the Tony Award-winning revival of “Ragtime,” he wasn’t standing there alone. Behind every performance was his family, whose unwavering support helped him pursue his dream. His community, both in town and at the Spring Lake Theatre, celebrated every milestone. 

For the Barrington family, Broadway became far more than an extraordinary opportunity. It became a reminder of how powerful encouragement, friendship, and hometown pride can be. “We are very proud of Nick, but it still feels surreal,” says his mother, Nicki Barrington. “It was so exciting seeing him live out his dreams at such a young age. We also knew how much work it took for him to get there.” 

Dreams Come True 

While audiences saw Nick performing eight shows each week in one of Broadway’s most celebrated productions, family, friends, neighbors, teachers, and classmates were cheering him on, both at home and in the audience itself. Many familiar faces made the trip to New York City to experience “Ragtime.” Every ticket purchased, every message sent, and every social media post celebrating Nick became another reminder that the entire community was supporting this family. 

“It was particularly heartwarming to see not just our large family, but our communities rally behind Nick and show him so much love and support,” Nicki says. That encouragement became an important source of strength for the family throughout Nick’s Broadway journey.   

Family is Everything 

Although Nick’s schedule was demanding, his family remained the constant that kept him grounded. Nick and his mother spent much of the week in New York City while his father, Scott, and siblings, Carly and Jimmy, kept life moving at home in New Jersey. While the arrangement required flexibility, the Barrington family viewed every challenge through the lens of gratitude. Scott says, “It was an amazing experience and a commitment that the entire family had to make. I’m very proud of all of us, especially the kids, for enduring the difficulties that came with being separated and also enjoying the adventure.” 

Despite the challenges, Nick and Nicki made the most of their time in New York, exploring museums, attending other Broadway productions, and creating memories together that extended far beyond the theater district. Nick says, “I met so many amazing people, and I had experiences I never could have imagined, like being in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and performing at the Tony Awards. It was the experience of a lifetime!” 

Behind the Scenes 

For Nick, some of his favorite memories from “Ragtime” happened backstage. The cast quickly became like an extended family. Between scenes, Nick spent hours laughing, playing games, and building friendships with the other young performers and child guardians. “It was a wonderful balance,” Nicki says. “He was helping tell a very powerful story on stage while still having fun backstage.” Despite performing in all eight weekly performances of “Ragtime,” balancing school tutoring, rehearsals, and media appearances, he found time to simply enjoy being a kid. 

As “Ragtime” earned critical acclaim, excitement continued to build. When the production received 11 Tony Award nominations, the celebration extended well beyond Broadway. Family, friends, and neighbors eagerly followed every announcement, sharing the excitement from New Jersey to New York. Nick’s own excitement grew when he learned he would perform not only in “Ragtime’s” featured number during the Tony Awards, but also in the show’s opening performance. The evening was unforgettable. Although Nick admits he was nervous beforehand, the energy backstage quickly replaced anxiety with excitement.

“He said backstage felt like a party,” Nicki recalls. “He couldn’t wait to get out there.” 

Later that evening, surrounded by castmates and family members, Nick watched “Ragtime” win four Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical. “It was something we’ll never forget,” Nicki says. 

When “Ragtime” announced it would extend its Broadway run, Nick made the decision to return home to the Jersey Shore. “The transition home has been surprisingly easy,” Nicki says. “We miss the friends we made, but it was the right time for Nick to get back to being a kid.”