Derek Klena

Derek Anthony Klena (born October 3, 1991) is an American actor, singer, and professional baseball player. He is best known for his work on Broadway, including originating the roles of Nick Healy in Jagged Little Pill (2019–2021), Dmitry in Anastasia (2017–2018), and Michael in The Bridges of Madison County. His breakthrough was in the original Off-Broadway production of Pasek & Paul's stage adaptation of Dogfight, and he made his Broadway debut as Fiyero in the 10th anniversary company of Wicked. Klena most recently portrayed Christian in the Broadway company of Moulin Rouge! replacing Aaron Tveit in the role on and off from 2022 to 2024. He has made appearances on several television series such as Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, The Code, and Pretty Little Liars.

In 2020, Klena was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Nick Healy in Jagged Little Pill.

Life and career Klena was born in San Dimas, California. He grew up with his two younger siblings in West Covina, California, outside of Los Angeles, where he attended South Hills High School. He is from a Jewish family.

Klena attended the University of California, Los Angeles where he initially studied theater but switched his major to psychology. His freshman year he played baseball before seriously pursuing acting and auditioning. From 2009 to 2011, he took part in regional Southern California theater. He participated in American Idol 's ninth season.

He originated the role of Eddie Birdlace in the stage adaptation of Dogfight. In 2013, he played Fiyero in the 10th anniversary company of Wicked on Broadway. Subsequently, he played son Michael Johnson in the original Broadway musical The Bridges of Madison County.

In 2014, he was cast in the pre-Broadway musical adaptation of the 1982 film Diner at the Signature Theatre in Virginia. Adapted by original screenwriter Barry Levinson and with music by Sheryl Crow, the musical originally planned to open on Broadway but did not transfer.

In 2016, he was cast to star as Dmitry in the original production of Anastasia, the stage musical adaptation of the animated film of the same name. Premiering in Hartford, Connecticut, in March 2016, it opened on Broadway in April 2017. After a year with the production, he left to take part in the original Cambridge, Massachusetts, production of Jagged Little Pill, a musical based on the music of Alanis Morissette. The Broadway production opened in December 2019. Klena was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Nick Healy. In February 2023, he starred as Joe Gillis opposite Stephanie J. Block as Norma in Sunset Boulevard at the Kennedy Center. On 8 January 2024, it was announced Klena would return to Moulin Rouge! on 6 February replacing Casey Cott. He left the cast on 21 July. Klena returned to the role of Fiyero in Wicked for a limited engagement lasting from May 27-June 8, 2025.

In December 2025, it was announced that Klena had been selected as an Entertainment Player and Pitcher for the Savannah Bananas Banana Ball Championship League baseball team.

Personal life Klena resides in New York City. He married his longtime girlfriend Elycia Scriven in 2018. In April 2022, Klena and his wife announced that they were expecting their first child. The couple welcomed a son, Dax Arthur Klena, on September 8, 2022. Their second son, Otto, was born in 2024.

Stage credits Selected credits

Filmography

Television

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result 2012 Clive Barnes Award Clive Barnes Award for Theatre Dogfight 2020 Tony Award Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical Jagged Little Pill 2023 Broadway.com Audience Choice Award Favorite Replacement Moulin Rouge