Derek Klena

 ( 1991 Births ) 

Klena attended the University of California, Los Angeles where he initially studied theater but switched his major to psychology. His freshman year he played baseball before seriously pursuing acting and auditioning. From 2009 to 2011, he took part in regional Southern California theater. He participated in American Idol's ninth season. Around 2010, Klena was invited to audition as a standby for Aaron Tveit in the Broadway musical Catch Me If You Can after show producer Marc Shaiman contacted Klena regarding a cover he did of its song "Goodbye" at a Los Angeles cabaret show. He did not get cast but was subsequently invited to audition for the workshop of Carrie. He took a leave of absence at UCLA in his junior year to take part in the 2012 Off-Broadway revival of Carrie.

He originated the role of Eddie Birdlace in the stage adaptation of Dogfight. In 2013, he played Fiyero in the 10th anniversary company of Wicked on Broadway. Subsequently, he played son Michael Johnson in the original Broadway musical The Bridges of Madison County.

In 2014, he was cast in the pre-Broadway musical adaptation of the 1982 film Diner at the Signature Theatre in Virginia. Adapted by original screenwriter Barry Levinson and with music by Sheryl Crow, the musical originally planned to open on Broadway but did not transfer.

In 2016, he was cast to star as Dmitry in the original production of Anastasia, the stage musical adaptation of the animated film of the same name. Premiering in Hartford, Connecticut, in March 2016, it opened on Broadway in April 2017. After a year with the production, he left to take part in the original Cambridge, Massachusetts, production of Jagged Little Pill, a musical based on the music of Alanis Morissette. The Broadway production opened in December 2019. Klena was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Nick Healy. The show went on hiatus in March 2020 and reopened in October 2021 but closed a few months later due to the Omicron surge in New York City.

In May 2022, he replaced Aaron Tveit as Christian in Moulin Rouge! on Broadway. He left the cast in January 2023 and returned in April that same year for three months. Aaron Tveit to Rejoin Moulin Rouge! on Broadway; Further Casting Changes Announced In February 2023, he starred as Joe Gillis opposite Stephanie J. Block as Norma in Sunset Boulevard at the Kennedy Center. Derek Klena, Auli'i Cravalho, and Nathan Gunn Join Kennedy Center's Upcoming Sunset Boulevard On 8 January 2024, it was announced Klena would return to Moulin Rouge! on 6 February replacing Casey Cott. He left the cast on 21 July. Derek Klena to Return to Broadway's Moulin Rouge! The Musical Klena returned to the role of Fiyero in Wicked for a limited engagement lasting from May 27-June 8, 2025. Derek Klena Will Return to Broadway's Wicked, 12 Years After He Left Playbill, May 23, 2025

In December 2025, it was announced that Klena had been selected as an Entertainment Player and Pitcher for the Savannah Bananas Banana Ball Championship League baseball team. From Broadway to Banana Ball✨ Meet your newest Entertainment Player for your Bananas. Welcome to the Show, Derek Klena! Facebook, December 29, 2025

• Derek Klena at the Internet Off-Broadway Database
• Derek Klena at About the Artists