Tony Award-winning director Christopher Ashley (Come From Away) and the wrtiers behind the Tony Award-winning musical Memphis (Joe DiPietro and David Bryan) bring us face-to-face with one of the 20th century's most compelling figures in this landmark musical event, featuring an epic and sweeping contemporary score.
Contrary to the vicious ridicule it was greeted with on social media, 'Diana' is not a disaster - it's just not very good. If anything, it is an example of what the late composer Mary Rodgers called a 'why musical,' as in a musical that is completely unnecessary. Why did the world need another retelling of the marriage of Diana and Charles, especially after it has been so thoroughly explored in the tabloids and onscreen (i.e. season four of 'The Crown,' 'Spencer' with Kristen Stewart)? You don't even need to watch 'Diana' in person or on Netflix to feel like you've already seen it.
I could cite a number of even more cringe-worthy lyrics, but why bother? In truth, Diana isn't much more insipid than any number of musical hagiographies that have popped up in recent decades, and director Christopher Ashley, to his credit, guides it with a light hand, having fun with the dishier aspects of the story rather than wallowing in the pathos. A scene documenting Diana's rapport with AIDS patients is offset by one in which her boy toy James Hewitt turns up, played by a strapping, shirtless Gareth Keegan, bumping and grinding a bit of relief into our heroine's dreary lot. Diana's butler, Paul Burrell, is a stock character, the dutiful but mischievous servant, but Anthony Murphy plays him with infectious relish.
| 2019 | San Diego, CA (Regional) |
World Premiere at La Jolla Playhouse San Diego, CA (Regional) |
| 2021 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Jeanna de Waal |
| 2022 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical | Natasha Katz |
| 2022 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Wig and Hair | Paul Huntley |
| 2022 | Tony Awards | Best Costume Design of a Musical | William Ivey Long |
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