Derek Klena

Derek Klena began performing in regional theater in Southern California from 2009 to 2011 and competed on the ninth season of American Idol. After auditioning for Catch Me If You Can, he joined the workshop of Carrie and took a leave of absence from UCLA to appear in the 2012 Off-Broadway revival of the musical.

Klena originated the role of Eddie Birdlace in Dogfight (2012). He joined the Broadway company of Wicked as Fiyero in 2013 before appearing as Michael Johnson in the original Broadway production of The Bridges of Madison County (2014). He also starred in the pre-Broadway production of Diner at Signature Theatre in 2014.

In 2016, Klena originated the role of Dmitry in Anastasia, beginning with its Hartford premiere before opening with the Broadway production in 2017. He later joined the original production of Jagged Little Pill, which premiered in Cambridge in 2018 and opened on Broadway in 2019. His performance as Nick Healy earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.

Klena replaced Aaron Tveit as Christian in Moulin Rouge! on Broadway in 2022, returned to the role twice in 2023, and reprised it again from February to July 2024. In 2023, he starred as Joe Gillis opposite Stephanie J. Block in Sunset Boulevard at the Kennedy Center. He returned to Wicked as Fiyero for a limited engagement in 2025.

In 2025, Klena was selected as an Entertainment Player and Pitcher for the Savannah Bananas' Banana Ball Championship League team.