Derek Klena, Matthew James Thomas, and More Lead DINER at Delaware Theatre Company
By: Sally Henry Fuller Nov. 08, 2015
Delaware Theatre Company serves up a musical adaptation of a classic film with the upcoming production of DINER, written by Academy Award-winner Barry Levinson with music and lyrics by nine-time Grammy Award-winner Sheryl Crow. Directed and choreographed by three-time Tony Award-winner Kathleen Marshall, DINER earns a four week run at Delaware Theatre Company from December 2-27, 2015, with the opportunity to extend. Single tickets are on sale now starting at $35 and can be purchased online at DelawareTheatre.org or by calling our Box Office at (302)594-1100.
"DINER is certainly the most ambitious production we have ever undertaken," shares Bud Martin, Executive Director. "It's the largest professional cast we have ever had, and our audiences will be treated to a fully automated set with multiple scene changes. Even more impressive is the creative team we have on this show. Having writers like Barry and Sheryl working here with Kathleen Marshall - along with a full slate of Broadway designers - is without a doubt raising the profile of both Delaware Theatre Company and Wilmington, DE."
Set in Baltimore during 1959, DINER follows a circle of childhood friends who confront the realities of adulthood in the one place they know they will always be welcome: the all-night diner.
"It's not a reproduction of a screenplay, but a completely different vehicle," states Barry Levinson, screenwriter of the original movie and playwright for the stage production. "I thought that DINER could lend itself musically to the exploration of the characters through song. In addition, it was an opportunity to open the piece up to the female voices of DINER that were not emphasized previously."
"I love Barry Levinson's film, DINER," said composer and lyricist Sheryl Crow, "so, when Barry called and asked if I'd like to join him to create a new musical version of the story, I jumped at the chance. Working together has been a total joy. In my hometown of Kennett, Missouri, we didn't have musicals coming through our town, but we saw all the movie musicals. I didn't know they all came from Broadway! My favorites were WEST SIDE STORY, OKLAHOMA and MY FAIR LADY. I still can't believe I will have the opportunity to work on a brand new musical with Barry. Working together with our director, Kathleen Marshall, we have really been working hard on expanding DINER to allow it to sing while remaining true to this story of these young men and women coming of age in Baltimore."
The cast includes: Ari Brand as Eddie (Off-Broadway's My Name is Asher Lev), Aaron Finley as Billy (Broadway's It Shoulda Been You and Rock of Ages), Joshua Franklin (Doo-Wop Guy/Howard/As-Cast), Derek Klena as Boogie (Broadway's Wicked and The Bridges of Madison County), Ethan Slater as Modell (NYMF Award for Outstanding Performance in Claudio Quest), Matthew James Thomas as Fenwick (Pippin in the Tony Award-winning 2013 revival), and Noah Weisberg as Shrevie (Broadway's South Pacific and Legally Blonde).
The cast is rounded out by Jacqueline Beatrice Arnold, John E. Brady, Matt Dengler, Nate Golden, Erika Henningsen, Anne Horak, John Leone, Brynn O'Malley, Stephanie Martignetti, Jenna Pastuszek, Jonathan Shew, Tess Soltau, and Curtis Wiley.
With a focus on developing this musical for a Broadway stage, Delaware Theatre Company is working closely with Barry Levinson, Sheryl Crow, and Kathleen Marshall to make DINER gleam. Bud Martin adds, "The stakes are very high for us, and we are determined to give the cast and creative team a production they can be proud of."
Performances are held at DTC's intimate, 315-seat theatre, located at 200 Water Street in Wilmington, DE, just feet from the beautiful Riverfront. DINER runs December 2-27 at Delaware Theatre Company. Tickets are on sale now starting at $35 and can be purchased online at DelawareTheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at (302)594-1100.
Press Opening is on December 12, 2015 at 8pm. Reservations can be made by contacting Andrew Truscott, Director of Marketing and Development at (302)504-3451 or Atruscott@delawaretheatre.org.
Delaware Theatre Company's season is made possible by the Delaware Division of the Arts, with the support of Governor Jack Markell and the Delaware State Legislature. Delaware Theatre Company also gratefully acknowledges the support of Capital One, Corporation
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