The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Magic carpet ride
Northeast Ohio native balances performing and selling houses
Northeast Ohio native Cody Hernández is all about helping people to see their dreams come true.
In addition to appearing in the current national touring production of “Disney’s Aladdin,” which comes through Cleveland for performances March 8 through 12 at Playhouse Square’s Connor Palace, the professional actor-singer also has a side hustle of sorts that utilizes the same expressive talents.
When Hernández isn’t on stage, he can be found staging and selling homes as a New York City real estate agent.
“I wouldn’t say I’m acting because I’m always telling the truth as a real estate agent but the performance quality is definitely something that is useful,” said Bath native Hernández, calling from a tour stop in Austin, Texas. “Acting is all about being able to tap into
the circumstances and the emotions of a person who is not you. That’s how you are a good actor.
“In real estate, you’re helping them make one of the most trustful purchases of their entire life. It’s being able to have that empathy, tap into whatever emotion
they’re having and guide them. That has been unbelievably useful and has really set me apart as a real estate agent in New York from a lot of others.”
What else sets him apart is how he’s quickly become the real estate agent selling the Big Apple to the theatrical community.
“Actors in New York City very frequently feel that
they can’t purchase homes because of the nature of our careers being so kind of all over the place,” said Hernández, a 2010 graduate of Revere High School in Richfield who studied musical theater and dance at Kent State University. “You make a bunch of money on a great contract, and then the contract is over and (you) won’t have work for
months at a time.
“A lot of actors give up on the dream of wanting to own a home. Being an actor who owns a home — and is also a real estate agent — helps me help people like me realize that dream, too, which is such a rewarding experience.”
Another dream come true for Hernández is performing as Razoul and a member of the ensemble in “Aladdin,” which is based on the Academy Awardwinning 1992 blockbuster animated film.
Adapted from the music by Alan Menken with lyrics by Howard Ashman and
Tim Rice, the Tony Awardwinning production opened in 2014 on Broadway. That same year, Hernández, working as an intern, attended the Tony Awards.
He can actually be seen on screen when “Alladin” actor James Monroe Iglehart accepts his Tony Award.
“‘Alladin’ was one of the first performances I saw after moving to New York,” Hernández said. “Now many years later, here I am doing it, which is really funny.”
As for its lasting popularity, Hernández said it’s all about reaching for those dreams.
“It’s so relevant, fun to watch and a timeless story,” Hernández said. “The kids are always going to come in costumes, of course, but it’s actually really fun to see the wonder on the faces of adults. We get to watch them feel that Disney magic all over again.”