His first children's novel, Better Nate Than Ever, was designated a 2013 New York Times Notable Book. He went on to win additional honors for such young adult works and adult cookbooks as, respectively, Five, Six, Seven, Nate! and Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails with a Literary Twist.
Before becoming a full-time writer, he performed in Broadway productions of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Little Mermaid.
He was one of several choreographers for the Broadway production of Billy Elliot the Musical.
Though he was born in San Mateo, California, he spent the majority of his childhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He later relocated to New York City, where he worked as a professional dancer, singer, and actor.
He appeared with Bernadette Peters in the Broadway revival of Gypsy!