Derek Klena is one of Broadway’s most recognizable leading men. The Tony-nominated actor and singer has originated roles in Dogfight, Anastasia and Jagged Little Pill. He has also played Fiyero in Wicked and Christian in Moulin Rouge!
In late 2025, he surprised fans by joining the Savannah Bananas baseball team. This guide covers his age, career, family, net worth and newest projects. Every claim comes from named, checkable profiles, and weak estimates are flagged as such.
Derek Klena Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
| Full name | Derek Anthony Klena |
| Born | October 3, 1991, San Dimas, California |
| Age | 35 (turned 35 on October 3, 2026) |
| Profession | Actor, singer, Banana Ball player |
| Education | South Hills High School; UCLA |
| Known for | Dogfight, Wicked, Anastasia, Jagged Little Pill, Moulin Rouge! |
| Major nomination | Tony Award, Best Featured Actor in a Musical (2020) |
| Spouse | Elycia Scriven (married 2018) |
| Residence | New York City |
| Net worth | Unverified; online estimates vary widely |
Who Is Derek Klena?
Derek Klena is an American stage and screen actor. He built his name by creating new roles on Broadway rather than inheriting old ones. That path is rare, and it is why theater fans treat him as a true originator.
His résumé spans Off-Broadway, national tours, regional theater and television. More recently, it also includes a viral baseball team.
Early Life and Education
Growing Up in San Dimas
Klena was born in San Dimas, California, and attended South Hills High School. He has two younger siblings, and his brother Dillon is also a performer.
From UCLA Baseball to the Stage
Klena attended UCLA, where he played baseball. According to a review of his solo show at Feinstein’s/54 Below, he even lobbied his coach to let him try out for American Idol’s Hollywood Week.
His theater path opened around 2010. Composer Marc Shaiman noticed his cabaret cover of a song from Catch Me If You Can in Los Angeles. Klena was then invited to audition as a standby for Aaron Tveit in the Broadway show.
Derek Klena’s Career
The Breakout Years (2012–2014)
His first big break came in the 2012 Off-Broadway revival of Carrie. Soon after, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul cast him as Eddie Birdlace in Dogfight, a role he originated.
He then made his Broadway debut as Fiyero in the 10th anniversary company of Wicked. In 2014, he played Michael Johnson in Jason Robert Brown’s The Bridges of Madison County. He also spent two years as Boogie in the musical Diner at Signature Theatre.
The Leading-Man Era: Anastasia and Jagged Little Pill
In 2016, Klena originated Dmitry in Anastasia, starting in Hartford before the show reached Broadway in 2017. He played the charming con man opposite the title princess.
Next came Jagged Little Pill, the Alanis Morissette musical. As Nick Healy, he earned a 2020 Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. The show paused in March 2020, reopened in October 2021, and closed a few months later because of the Omicron surge.
Moulin Rouge! and a Return to Wicked
Klena later played Christian in Moulin Rouge! The Musical, stepping in for Aaron Tveit on and off from 2022 to 2024. A return to the show was announced in January 2024.
He also revisited Fiyero in Wicked for a limited run from May 27 to June 8, 2025. No new Broadway run has turned up in current listings.
Derek Klena Broadway Credits at a Glance
| Show | Role | Notes |
| Wicked | Fiyero | Broadway debut; returned May 27–June 8, 2025 |
| The Bridges of Madison County | Michael Johnson | Originated the role (2014) |
| Anastasia | Dmitry | Originated; Hartford 2016, Broadway 2017 |
| Jagged Little Pill | Nick Healy | Originated; Tony nomination |
| Moulin Rouge! The Musical | Christian | Replaced Aaron Tveit on and off, 2022–2024 |
Carrie and Dogfight were Off-Broadway productions, so they sit outside this table. BroadwayWorld counts five Broadway shows for him.
Television Work
Klena has built a steady screen résumé alongside his stage work. His credits include:
- Law & Order: SVU
- Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (recurring, as Douglas “DJ Fingablast” Fingablast)
- Blue Bloods
- Quantico
- The Carrie Diaries
- The Tomorrow People
- The Code
- City on a Hill
- Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin
He also appeared on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.
Derek Klena and the Savannah Bananas
In December 2025, People reported that Klena joined the Savannah Bananas, the viral team known for theatrical, show-style baseball. He announced it with an Instagram music video that reimagined “Go the Distance” from Disney’s Hercules.
The move connects his two worlds. He played college baseball before he ever sang on a professional stage. Wikipedia lists his role as an entertainment player and pitcher.
In July 2026, Playbill reported a new single called “Show Starts Now.” Atlantic Records teamed up with the Bananas and Ampersand, the company founded by Pasek and Paul. Klena performs the song, which the team planned to play as the opening act of the 2026 ESPY Awards.
BroadwayWorld has also posted clips of him singing with the team, including a video alongside Kristen Bell.
Derek Klena’s Personal Life
Wife and Family
Klena announced his engagement to longtime girlfriend Elycia Scriven on October 1, 2017. The couple married in September 2018.
They announced their first pregnancy in April 2022. Their son, Dax Arthur Klena, was born on September 8, 2022. The family lives in New York City.
Brother Dillon Klena
Dillon Klena is also an actor. He joined the Jagged Little Pill tour. In 2026, he played Dmitry at La Mirada Theatre in Anastasia, the role his brother originated.
Derek Klena’s Net Worth
No reliable source publishes a verified figure. Klena has no public financial disclosures, and net worth sites use their own algorithms. As a result, the numbers disagree sharply.
| Source type | Reported estimate |
| Celebrity net worth tracker | 100,000–1 million |
| Bio site (2024) | About $1.5 million |
| Other bio sites | 2–3 million |
Treat these as rough guesses. Several of these pages also repeat wrong basic facts about him. His real income likely comes from Broadway salaries, television guest roles, concerts and, now, the Bananas.
Common Misconceptions About Derek Klena
Low-quality pages often copy each other’s errors. Here are the most common ones.
| Claim you may see | What reliable sources show |
| Born in New York City | Born in San Dimas, California |
| Born in 1990 or 1986 | Born October 3, 1991 |
| Born in Macungie, Pennsylvania | No credible profile supports this |
| Breakout role was in Heathers | His official bios point to Carrie and Dogfight |
| Marital status is unknown | Married to Elycia Scriven since 2018 |
What Sets Derek Klena Apart
- Originator status: He created roles in four new productions, a rare record for a Broadway lead.
- Range: He moves between romantic leads, rock-musical dads and comic TV guest spots.
- Crossover appeal: His baseball background now feeds a very modern fan following.
- Long-term collaborations: He has worked with Pasek and Paul for over a decade, as he told Playbill.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Derek Klena?
He was born on October 3, 1991, so he turned 35 on October 3, 2026.
Where is Derek Klena from?
He was born in San Dimas, California, and now lives in New York City.
Was Derek Klena nominated for a Tony Award?
Yes. He received a 2020 nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Jagged Little Pill.
Who is Derek Klena’s wife?
He is married to Elycia Scriven. They wed in September 2018.
Which Broadway shows has Derek Klena been in?
He has appeared in Wicked, The Bridges of Madison County, Anastasia, Jagged Little Pill and Moulin Rouge!
Why did Derek Klena join the Savannah Bananas?
He announced it in December 2025. The team’s show-style baseball suits his stage and college baseball background.
What is Derek Klena’s net worth?
There is no verified figure. Online estimates range from about $100,000 to $3 million.
Is Derek Klena in Wicked now?
No current run has turned up. His latest return as Fiyero ran May 27–June 8, 2025.
Conclusion
Derek Klena has turned a lucky cabaret break into a lasting career. He moved from UCLA baseball to Broadway leads, a Tony nomination and television roles. Now he is mixing theater and sports in a way few performers could.
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