Broadway Boys: Mr. February 2014: The Bridges of Madison County's Derek Klena

Mr. February 2014

Derek Klena

It's really been a great last few years for this guy.  I was fortunate enough to interview they guy when he was really getting his start in New York.  At the time, he was co-starring in off-Broadway's Carrie, and has since had the lead in another off-Broadway show, Dogfight.  Like many of his contemporaries, he's done concerts at Joe's Pub and 54 Below, and been involved in some readings.  Last year, he finally made his Broadway debut as Fiyero in Wicked.  And now he is originating a role in a brand new Broadway musical, The Bridges of Madison County, which opens later this week!  I can't think of a better time to name Derek Klena Mr. Broadway February 2014!


PHOTOS:
Candids

Best Buddies: Derek and Lindsay

Fiyeros stick together! Derek with Andy Karl,

Aaron Tveit and Kyle Dean Massey

Who's cuter?

FUN FACTS

• He's a native Californian!
• His birthday is October 3rd... he's 22 years old.
• Frequent co-star and best buddy Lindsay Mendez is NOT his girlfriend!

On TV, in concert and doing readings

What is Wicked?

He plays Dylan the school bully on the CW's

The Tomorrow People

Recording Carols for the Cure

At Joe's Pub with you-know-who

Singing at the reading for Darling

Off-Broadway in Carrie and Dogfight

MORE FUN FACTS

• He has appeared on three different game shows: American Idol and Family Feud as a contestant, and Jeopardy! as a video question!
• He has a fuckyeah! Tumblr section dedicated to him.
• He was a respected baseball player in high school and college.
• He was a part of two Wicked milestones: the 4,000th performance and the 10th anniversary celebration.

On Broadway in Wicked and The Bridges of Madison County

FOR MORE ON DEREK KLENA
Type his name in the Search Box to your left, and it will call up every blog entry that features him.  There is a two part interview and several reviews among many others!

Jeff
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