Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the Musical is currently playing at the Childrens Theater Company until June 18.
The best-selling production based on the best-selling Diary of a Wimpy Kid book series and the New York Times media franchise. Author/illustrator Jeff Kinney’s popular series has received six Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards and is published in 66 languages worldwide. The books have also been brought to the big screen five times, including the last film released on Disney+ in 2021. Director Jenn Thompson (multiple Drama Desk nominations and Lortel, Annie’s upcoming national tour) will direct an updated version featuring new songs and scenes from playwright Kevin Del Aguila (Off-Broadway: Altar Boyz, Emmy-winning writer, Peg + Cat TV show, music book writer for The Musical Version of Madagascar and Dog Man: The Musical) and the team of composers/lyricists, Michael Mahler and Alan Schmuckler (Richard Rodgers Award for Musical Theatre, The Secret of My Success (NBC/Universal)), with choreography by Patricia Wilcox (Broadway’s Motown the Musical, A Night with Janis Joplin and more).
Musical supervision and direction is by Amanda Morton (Goodspeed, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical First National Tour), stage design is by Scott Davis (Ride the Cyclone (MCC), Disney on Ice, Othello: The Remix (The Westside Theatre), costume design by Kara Harmon (Cullud Wattah (public theatre); Hometown to the World (Santa Fe Opera)), lighting design by Philip S. Rosenberg (Broadway’s Mrs. Doubtfire, Pretty Woman, and more ), projection design by Edward T. Morris (Goodspeed, Roundabout) and sound design by Sten Severson (Tony® nominated HAIR (Broadway, West End, National Tour)).The musical is produced by special arrangement with Buena Vista Theatrical and Kevin McCollum (producer for RENT, Avenue Q, In the Heights, Mrs. Doubtfire, Six, Motown: The Musical, and many more).
Author Jeff Kinney says, “I’m incredibly excited to see Greg Heffley and his Wimpy world come to life on stage at the Children’s Theater Company, which puts on some amazing, first-class productions. It’s hugely rewarding as a writer. to have my work in the hands of such a talented team.”
The cast bringing famous characters to life on stage includes Patrick Scott McDermott (Les Miserables (National Tour); Kinky Boots (Paramount Theatre)) and Huxley Westemeier (Broadway’s first national tour of School of Rock, August Rush the Musical) as by Greg Heffley, Kamryn Henderson (A Christmas Story (Music Theater Kansas City)) as Rowley Jefferson, CTC Society members Autumn Ness as Mom and Reed Sigmund as Dad, Harry Lawler as by Rodrick Heffley, Brielle Freeburg and Sullivan “Sully” Sigmund as Manny, Anja Arora as Patty Farrell, Indra Khariwala as Chirag Gupta, Sam Mandell as Fregley, Andrej Humiston as Joshie, Dean Holt as Mr. Underwood/Bill Walters and Norman Street as Mrs. Clayton. The ensemble of college mayhem includes Sam Rosewarne, Matthew Woody, Tic Treitler, KateMarie Andrews, Drew Elo, Ella Freeburg, Mabel Weismann, Jaya Bird and Mason Yang.
Attended opening night with Huxley Westemeier playing Greg Heffley and additional casting changes for the opening were Mason Yang for the role of Chirag Gupta today and Ford Bradshaw for Charlie Davis.
I had heard of Diary of A Wimpy Kid but had never read the book or seen the movie. The Children’s Theater Company always delivers excellent, high quality productions. The set was really neat, it was a paper subject but could be transformed into other scenes with lighting and projects, it worked and the costumes were all colorful. There were so many fun musical numbers and catchy songs.
I was so impressed with Huxley Westemeier and all the actors. I sat there thinking, these are KIDS and they are so talented! They all had great voices, great actors, and really cared about their characters. There were so many comedic moments but also many sweet moments that many families can relate to throughout the show. The audience enjoyed the show by applauding the songs and cheering for their favorite characters and scenes. I heard a lot during the intermission that the musical follows the book and the movie well.
I would recommend seeing Diary of A Wimpy Kid the musical at the Children’s Theater Company. It’s a show that everyone can enjoy!
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Glen Stubbe Photography Pictures