La Jolla Playhouse recently announced the complete cast and creative team for its upcoming world-premiere musical “Diana,” from the Tony Award-winning Memphis creative team of Joe DiPietro (librettist/lyricist), David Bryan (composer/lyricist) and Playhouse artistic director Christopher Ashley (director), along with Tony Award nominee Kelly Devine (choreographer) and Ian Eisendrath (music supervisor). The production will run Feb. 19-April 7 in the Playhouse’s Mandell Weiss Theatre.
As previously announced, Jeanna de Waal (Broadway’s “Kinky Boots,” “American Idiot”) will portray the role of “Diana.” Joining her will be Erin Davie (Playhouse/Broadway’s “Side Show”) as “Camilla Parker Bowles,” Roe Hartrampf (Off-Broadway’s “Bad Guys”) as “Prince Charles” and Tony Award winner Judy Kaye (Broadway’s “The Phantom of the Opera”) as “Queen Elizabeth.” Also announced are ensemble members Holly Ann Butler, Taylor Coleman, Eric Coles, Bruce Dow, Evan Duff, Madison Noelle Hall, Shaye Hopkins, Nicole Javier, Justin Keats, Gareth Keegan, Nathan Lucrezio, Tomas Matos, Allyn Moriyon, Lauren Livia Muehl, Jamen Nanthakumar, Enrico Nassi, Katheryne Penny, Lindsay Roberts, Tara Shoemakerand Bethany Ann Tesark.
The creative team features Tony Award winner David Zinn (Broadway’s “SpongeBob SquarePants,” Playhouse’s “A Dram of Drummhicit,” “Peer Gynt”), scenic designer; Tony Award winner William Ivey Long (Broadway’s “Cinderella,” “Grey Gardens”; Playhouse’s “Herringbone”), costume designer; Tony Award winner Natasha Katz (Broadway’s “An American in Paris,” “Frozen”), lighting designer; Tony Award nominee Gareth Owen (Playhouse/Broadway’s “Come From Away”), sound designer; John Clancy, orchestrations; Telsey + Company – Rachel Hoffman, CSA, casting; Gabriel Greene, dramaturg; and Martha Donaldson, stage manager.
“What a gift to have assembled such an extraordinary cast and creative team to launch this new musical,” said Ashley. “I can’t think of a better way to wrap up our season than with Joe and David’s stunning work about a truly remarkable woman.” About Diana
In 1981, an assistant kindergarten teacher married the Prince of Wales and, overnight, became the most famous woman in the world. But behind the fairytale, there was a troubled marriage and a young woman struggling to find her voice. Facing an entrenched monarchy and unprecedented media scrutiny, Princess Diana surprises everyone – including herself – as she grows into a global phenomenon and manages to change the world. Playhouse artistic director Christopher Ashley and the writers behind the Tony Award-winning musical “Memphis” create this highly-anticipated musical, featuring an epic and sweeping contemporary score. FACT SHEET
WHAT: Diana
Book and Lyrics by Joe DiPietro
Music and Lyrics by David Bryan
Directed by Christopher Ashley   
Choreographed by Kelly Devine
Music Supervision by Ian Eisendrath WHEN: Feb. 19-April 7, Tue/Wed at 7:30 p.m.; Thu/Fri/Sat at 8 p.m.; Sun at 7 p.m.; Sat/Sun at 2 p.m.
WHERE: Mandell Weiss Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive.
Scenic Design: David Zinn
Costume Design: William Ivey Long
Lighting Design: Natasha Katz
Sound Design: Gareth Owen
Orchestrations: John Clancy
Casting: Telsey + Company, Rachel Hoffman, CSA
Dramaturg: Gabriel Greene
Stage Manager: Martha Donaldson Cast
Camilla Parker Bowles: Erin Davie
Diana: Jeanna de Waal
Prince Charles: Roe Hartrampf
Queen Elizabeth: Judy Kaye Ensemble: Holly Ann Butler, Taylor Coleman, Eric Coles, Bruce Dow, Evan Duff, Madison Noelle Hall, Shaye Hopkins, Nicole Javier, Justin Keats, Gareth Keegan, Nathan Lucrezio, Tomas Matos, Allyn Moriyon, Lauren Livia Muehl, Jamen Nanthakumar, Enrico Nassi, Katheryne Penny, Lindsay Roberts, Tara Shoemaker, Bethany Ann Tesark
TICKETS: 858-550-1010; LaJollaPlayhouse.org.