Thoughts on Derek Klena?
Thoughts on Derek Klena?
emmettjordan
Chorus Member Joined: 9/2/17
#1Thoughts on Derek Klena?
Posted: 5/25/18 at 10:41pm
With Jagged Little Pill coming out I was wondering what the consensus is on him. I saw him in Anastasia and thought that he was quite good. Where do you see his career going? Is there a Tony somewhere in his future?
BwayLB
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/18/17
#2Thoughts on Derek Klena?
Posted: 5/25/18 at 11:03pmI saw him play Link in a production of Hairspray at the Carpenter Center here in Long Beach.
Alex Kulak2
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/11/16
DeepVSexyWitch2
Chorus Member Joined: 7/31/15
mailhandler777
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/15/15
#5Thoughts on Derek Klena?
Posted: 5/25/18 at 11:45pmI'm not a fan I saw him in Wicked and Jagged Little Pill.
Hi, I'm Val. Formerly DefyGravity777(I believe)
#6Thoughts on Derek Klena?
Posted: 5/26/18 at 12:23am
I think he is so incredibly bland, and his acting is very wooden. I’ve seen him give about ten performances and didn’t enjoy any of them. Before someone asks why I keep seeing him, he books shows that I want to see. That resume is longgggggg.
He’s not bad, but I think that a lot of his success comes from being on the “right” side of Western beauty standards and giving a passable performance of our understanding of masculinity. Eh. I’m not moved.
VintageSnarker
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/30/15
#7Thoughts on Derek Klena?
Posted: 5/26/18 at 12:27am
emmettjordan said: "With Jagged Little Pill coming out I was wondering what the consensus is on him. I saw him in Anastasia and thought that he was quite good. Where do you see his career going? Is there a Tony somewhere in his future?
"
Just like... any thoughts? He has nice skin and good hair.
Aside from Dogfight, I don't recall any roles he's had so far that would put him in contention for a Tony. He's played a lot of supporting roles (though he's the romantic lead in Anastasia, even that feels more like a supporting role aside from the one or two scenes where they added some random backstory). That's not to say he'll never get that chance one day. He's still getting cast in roles that are younger than his actual age so he may be content to wait it out. I think he's talented and I'm glad he keeps getting work.
#8Thoughts on Derek Klena?
Posted: 5/26/18 at 12:36am
I think he's talented, but he won't go down in the history books. Less bland than some of the other beloved leading young Musical theatre actors these days. But still kinda bland. Dogfight was probably my favorite performance of his that I've seen.
#9Thoughts on Derek Klena?
Posted: 5/26/18 at 3:04am
I’ve only seen him live at the Carrie preview, Anastasia and Bridges so I can’t say I’ve seen his best work. Based on these performances I couldn’t say I see much BUT - when I listen to the Dogfight cast recording there is a performance that if matched on stage seems truly special and hard to replace. This guy needs to get good roles because right now he is playing generic bland characters that might make him look more generic and bland than he is. I suppose work is work in this business though. He has done better than most.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
Updated On: 5/26/18 at 03:04 AM
#10Thoughts on Derek Klena?
Posted: 5/26/18 at 6:56amHis voice has a good range, but it is also a bit nasally for my taste. His acting is his weakest asset.
Rainah
Broadway Star Joined: 11/24/16
#11Thoughts on Derek Klena?
Posted: 5/26/18 at 10:18am
Seems like a real nice dude
He was decent, when I saw him. Good performance but nothing to give Tony Awards about
Seems to be doing well for himself career wise
tomwsjr
Featured Actor Joined: 5/9/05
#12Thoughts on Derek Klena?
Posted: 5/26/18 at 10:25am
The $1,000 question is does he he wear a hair piece????? I sure looks like it.
Updated On: 5/26/18 at 10:25 AM
#13Thoughts on Derek Klena?
Posted: 5/26/18 at 3:15pm
I’ve seen him in a lot of things and I think he's okay. I think Dogfight was his best work, as much of his of other work was fairly generic handsome acting that anyone and everyone under 35 has played. I remember nothing too distinct about him in Carrie, Bridges, or Wicked.
Is he bad? Clearly, no, as he keeps getting cast. I think he needs to find his voice as an actor and unfortunately, that may not come for a while as he’s genetically blessed enough to convincingly play 19 year olds. He has found his place yet.
GeorgeandDot
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/13/16
#14Thoughts on Derek Klena?
Posted: 5/26/18 at 4:06pmHe's cute. I liked him in Dogfight. He was perfectly serviceable in everything else he's done. Yeah, he's just a bland mangenue.
artist2
Swing Joined: 5/26/18
#15Thoughts on Derek Klena?
Posted: 5/26/18 at 4:38pm
One of my favourite current Broadway voices, a very capable actor with presence and usually great chemistry with his co-stars. My favourite of the current young male heartthrob types and I hope he gets more meaty roles in the future.
Elegance101
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/24/17
#16Thoughts on Derek Klena?
Posted: 5/30/18 at 8:53pm
Did anyone else watch him on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt today? Already finished the 6 episodes (whoops) and man, he is so funny on it.
#17Thoughts on Derek Klena?
Posted: 5/30/18 at 9:10pm
I think he's handsome but unspeakably bland. He gave me zero chemistry with Christy Altomare in Anastasia and his singing was serviceable at best, since there seemed to be little variability in his range as opposed to his volume.
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RippedMan
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/14/05
#18Thoughts on Derek Klena?
Posted: 5/31/18 at 12:55am
What about his voice do you like? He's super nasal and straight tones everything? I don't think he's bad, but I don't see why he keeps getting all these roles? I know about 50 actors who could do what he's doing, so confused as to what is the "spark" that got him to where he is? Cause I don't see it. I saw him Dogfight and thought there was nothing going on behind his eyes. Bridges he was just pointless in.
Lousy
Understudy Joined: 6/10/13
#19Thoughts on Derek Klena?
Posted: 5/31/18 at 1:36am
I like him but he seems like he'll mostly be a replacement actor. That's not a knock on replacement gigs, they are important and an under-appreciated part of the biz. But no Tonys, just mostly concerts, replacements, and original casts of smaller transferring shows. He'd make a great Aaron Samuels replacement in Mean Girls.
No one gives a damn about the list of shows you've seen.
#20Thoughts on Derek Klena?
Posted: 5/31/18 at 8:13am
Why yes... I would love to be a THOT on Derek Klena. 
yum.
#21Thoughts on Derek Klena?
Posted: 5/31/18 at 8:14am
tomwsjr said: "The $1,000 question is does he he wear a hair piece????? I sure looks like it."
lol. no... no he does not.
#22Thoughts on Derek Klena?
Posted: 5/31/18 at 9:58am
Elegance101 said: "Did anyone else watch him on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt today? Already finished the 6 episodes (whoops) and man, he is so funny on it."
Yes! If Party Monster was a full documentary I would definitely watch 
ScottyDoesn'tKnow2
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/22/14
#23Thoughts on Derek Klena?
Posted: 5/31/18 at 10:03am
After seeing the new Kimmy Schmidt season that was released yesterday, he was great as DJ Fingablast on Kimmy Schmidt. I don't think he's leading man material, but he can play comedic supporting roles like this. He may have some physical features that may make people want to cast him as a leading man but I think he can develop into a great character actor.
Updated On: 5/31/18 at 10:03 AM