Ones to Watch: Derek Klena

Derek Klena has just finished playing your cartoon boyfriend Dmitry in Hartford Stage‘s pre-Broadway run of Anastasia. If you missed it, don’t worry: producers announced this week that Klena is set to reprise his role on Broadway, along with his fantastic co-stars Christy Altomare, John Bolton, and Caroline O’Connor. Indeed, the buzz surrounding Anastasia suggests that it is one of the most eagerly anticipated arrivals of the upcoming Broadway season. Spoiler: Derek Klena is someone you’ll be obsessing over soon. Why not start now?

Klena has perfected the role of the boyish charmer in his already rich theatre resume… and he has a dreamy, honey-coated voice to match his stellar acting chops. Unsurprisingly, then, Klena has held his own against Broadway luminaries. He has acted alongside Lindsay Mendez not once, but twice: first in the off-Broadway musical Dogfight and again as fan favorite Fiyero to Mendez’s Elphaba in Wicked. He’s also shared the stage with Queen Kelli O’Hara, Steven Pasquale, and Hunter Foster in the musically lush The Bridges of Madison County. 

Klena’s turn as the Russian heartthrob in Anastasia seems like a natural fit– he exudes confidence and ease in roles where he can be conflicted and clear-sighted all at once. It’s the kind of acting that brings to mind the swagger of a Jeremy Jordan, the breezy charm of a Hugh Jackman, the soulfulness of a Corey Cott, and the sex appeal of a Steven Pasquale. In other words: pay attention, Broadway fans. Derek Klena is the complete package.

But it may surprise you to learn that Klena’s childhood ambitions were focused more on stadium lights than the lights of the Great White Way. That’s right: Klena was a jock– a legit jock. He even pitched for UCLA’s baseball team his freshman year, but ultimately walked away from baseball to pursue theater.

Klena’s charisma doesn’t just happen on the stage; he’s also proven that he’s a natural comedian in television shows. His turn as a wannabe-DJ and Jane Krakowski’s temporary boy toy on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt was as welcome as it was perfect. If you’re a fan of John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight, then you might have caught Klena as a juiced-up runner on the show’s recent segment on doping in Olympic sports. The kid can act and make us laugh, too!

We’re thrilled that Klena will be returning to Broadway soon. If you’ll just excuse us, we’re going to spend the next few months obsessively re-listening to his cast recordings and watching clips of him on YouTube. Who’s with us?!

Anastasia‘s opening night on Broadway is set for April 24, 2017, at the Broadhurst Theatre. The dates of previews and ticket sales will be announced at a later time.

Photo Credits: Hartford Stage; Matthew Murphy