ONLINE PROGRAM
DIARY OF A WIMPY KID
book by KEVIN DEL AGUILA
music and lyrics by MICHAEL MAHLER and
ALAN SCHMUCKLER​
based on the "DIARY OF A WIMPY KID" book series by JEFF KINNEY and the 20TH CENTURY FOX FILMS
additional orchestrations by CHRISTOPHER JAHNKE
originally commissioned and produced by THE CHILDREN'S THEATRE COMPANY MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA
Diary of a Wimpy Kid is presented through a special arrangement with Broadway Licensing Global. All authorized performance materials are supplied by www.broadwaylicensing.com
Oct 11th to Nov 2nd, 2024
Thursdays to Saturdays 7pm
Saturdays & Sundays 2pm
rated G | 6+
running time:
Two-act musical, approx. 120
min with a 15 min. intermission
​SBT Production photography by Tim Nguyen.
The videotaping or making of electronic or other audio and/or visual recordings of this production or distributing recordings on any medium, including the Internet, is strictly prohibited, a violation of the author’s rights and actionable under copyright law.
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SHOW SUMMARY
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Middle school, ugh. It’s the worst. However, Greg is determined not to be at the bottom of the popularity chart. He’ll leave that to his weird neighbour, Fregley. Or maybe Greg’s best friend, Rowley Jefferson. But it’s not going to be Greg…no way.
In Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the Musical, Jeff Kinney’s popular character takes center stage as Greg’s cartoon diary becomes a hilarious and heartfelt musical. Will Greg’s plans to become popular lead him to sacrifice his one true friend? Can anyone avoid the dreaded Cheese Touch? Grab a hall pass, and don’t be late for an adventure familiar to anyone who survived middle school.
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RATING: G | 6+
Read more about show ratings and recommendations >
Video courtesy of Seattle Childresn' Theatre Company.
Production Inclusion Statics
49.02% FEMALE/NON-BINARY
REPRESENTATION
31.37% MARGINALIZED REPRESENTATION
15.69% BIPOC
REPRESENTATION
15.69% LGBTQIA2S+
REPRESENTATION
48.28% ON STAGE
50.00% OFFSTAGE
31.03% ON STAGE
31.82% OFFSTAGE
20.69% ON STAGE
9.09% OFFSTAGE
10.34% ON STAGE
22.73% OFFSTAGE
ABOUT THE CREATOR
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KEVIN DEL AGUILA
Kevin Del Aguia is an Emmy-winning writer, Tony-nominated actor, acclaimed director, playwright and lyricist in New York City. Broadway audiences will recognize him from the original casts of Some Like It Hot (Drama Desk Award and Tony nom for his performance as Osgood), Frozen (as Oaken), and Peter And The Starcatcher (as Smee), and children everywhere have heard his voice as a troll in Disney's blockbuster film Frozen. Other writing works for the stage include his middle-aged superhero musical The Astonishing Return Of The Protagonists! (2013 NAMT Festival), musical adaptations of the DreamWorks film Madagascar, the wildly popular book series Diary Of A Wimpy Kid, as well as Dav Pilkey's Dog Man and Cat Kid Comic Club books.
MICHAEL MAHLER
Michael has written music, lyrics and/or book for a number of productions, including: Knute Rockne - All American and How Can You Run with a Shell on Your Back? (Aesop's Fables), along with over 40 songs for Northwestern's annual "Waa-Mu Show." Michael's work has been performed in various songwriter showcases in both New York and Chicago, garnering several honors. With Alan Schmuckler, Michael is the co-music director/arranger of the Chicago Sound Connection, and has released five recordings of liturgical songs. Michael received a lead actor Jeff Citation Award for My Favourite Year and a lead actor The Sweet Smell Of Success.
ALAN SCHMUCKLER
Alan Schmuckler wrote music, lyrics and score, and served as song producer, for Showtime series Kidding, where his work was performed by Ariana Grande, Dick Van Dyke, Catherine Keener and Kesha. His songs and music production can be heard in Netflix’s My Little Pony animated feature film, co-written with frequent collaborator Michael Mahler and co-produced with Mahler and Ron Fair (Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, Vanessa Carlton).
Alan is the winner of the prestigious Kleban Prize in Musical Theatre; a Webby Award for sound design and original music, and the Sarah Lawrence International Audio Fiction Award, for his podcast musical Wait Wait Don’t Kill Me, written with screenwriter Dave Holstein.
SONG LIST
ACT ONE
Overture – Chorus and Greg Heffley
The Middle of It All (Pt. 1) – Greg Heffley, Susan Heffley, Frank Heffley and Rodrick Heffley
The Cheese Touch – Greg Heffley, Various Students
The Middle of It All (Pt. 2) – Full cast
Joshie Says – Rowley Jefferson and Greg Heffley
Better Than You – Patty Farrell, Yvette, Pauline, Greg Heffley and Rowley Jefferson
You're Changing – Frank Heffley
All About the Mom Bucks – Greg Heffley, Rowley Jefferson and Chirag Gupta
Presto Chang-O! – Greg Heffley and Rowley Jefferson
Winter Talent Show – Mrs. Clayton, Susan Heffley and Frank Heffley
Löded Diper – Rodrick Heffley and Bill Walter
We Made It – Greg Heffley and Rowley Jefferson
The Great Hefflini – Greg Heffley and Rowley Jefferson
The Middle of It All (Pt.3) – Full Cast
ACT TWO
Animal Heart – Joshie and Rowley Jefferson
Safety Patrol – Greg Heffley, Rowley Jefferson, Mr. Winsky and Kindergarteners
Doin' My Thing – Greg Heffley and Rowley Jefferson
He Made It – Greg Heffley, Patty Ferrell and Various Students
What Really Happened – Greg Heffley
Do the Right Thing, Greg – Susan Heffley, Greg Heffley and Rowley Jefferson
Rodrick Rules – Rodrick Heffley
The Fregley Song – Fregley
Dear Diary – Greg Heffley and Rowley Jefferson
Fregley's Apology – Fregley
Changing (Reprise) – Frank Heffley
The Fight – Full cast
The Middle of It All (Finale) – Full cast
FROM THE
ARTISTIC PRODUCER
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Dear Friends of StoryBook Theatre,
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Welcome to our 48th Season – the "Season to Belong." This year, more than ever, our productions echo the importance of connection, unity, and finding a place where you truly belong. In a world filled with division, theatre offers a space where everyone can come together, share stories, and experience the magic of belonging.
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Our exciting lineup includes family favorites like BEAUTY & THE BEAST and KENSUKE'S KINGDOM, along with a few surprises like the TOP SECRET MUSICAL. But the highlight of the season for me is undoubtedly DIARY OF A WIMPY KID THE MUSICAL.
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I’ve been waiting to bring this hilarious and heartfelt musical to StoryBook long before the pandemic. Finally, after years of persistence, we’ve secured the rights, and I couldn’t be more excited. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID is an extraordinary show that dives into the complexities of adolescence, and, more importantly, the human desire to fit in and find a community. In a world rife with struggle and discord, the message of this musical—finding a place where you belong—is something that resonates with all of us.
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We are incredibly lucky to have Stephan Dickson at the helm as both director and choreographer. His vision for the show perfectly aligns with StoryBook’s mission: to create theatre that speaks to all ages and backgrounds. His direction will bring an energetic and innovative approach to this beloved story.
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At StoryBook, we are also deeply committed to representation and diversity on our stage. We recognize the importance of providing opportunities for people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, and abilities. According to recent statistics, we continue to prioritize inclusive casting, and I’m proud of the work we do to ensure our productions reflect the diverse world we live in.
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Unfortunately, in the face of recent provincial cutbacks, it has become increasingly difficult for arts organizations like StoryBook to thrive. To ensure that we can continue to bring high-quality, diverse productions to our community, we rely on the generosity of patrons like you. A monthly donation of just $5 or $10 can make a huge impact, allowing us to provide more opportunities for artists and ensuring that theatre remains accessible for all.
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I encourage you to consider becoming an active donor with StoryBook Theatre. Your contribution not only helps us weather these challenging times but also supports our mission to offer a stage where everyone belongs. To discover more about how you can contribute, please visit our SBT DONATIONS page.
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Thank you for being a part of our StoryBook family. We're so excited to welcome you back to the theatre this season.
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Sincerely,
JP Thibodeau
Artistic Producer
FROM THE DIRECTOR
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"Stuck in the middle with you..."
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I’m so excited to be bringing this musical, inspired by the amazing book series that continues to take the world by storm, to the StoryBook Theatre stage.
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“The middle” can be a scary place. When there, it’s easy to feel stuck or trapped. But, what makes the middle so important is that's where we get to see growth starting to take place. It’s where we first develop awareness and emotions toward our journey, and begin to have empathy for the journeys of people around us.
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Our main character, Greg Heffley, is a middle school student navigating the treacherous waters of adolescence. He definitely feels “stuck in the middle” of his family, his perceived social status, and just plain existence itself. Through his efforts to get ahead, be in control, and ultimately just be accepted, he strays from allowing himself to embrace the growth necessary for him to change.
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What I love about this show is that we’re introduced to so many characters, and we get to see them all in the middle of their own journeys. Be it for power, fame, or just acceptance in the world that surrounds them. It's a nice reminder that everyone everywhere is constantly in the middle of change, each on their own path. Like Greg, it can be easy sometimes to feel like the middle is only happening to us. But the truth is, we‘re all there together, and together is a helpful way to navigate this “middle”.
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I look forward to experiencing this journey with you, and together maybe we can find the upside of being in the middle of it all.
Enjoy the show!​
Stephan Dickson
Director
THE COMPANY
THE CAST
Greg Heffley Oliver Vincze
Rowley Jefferson Kiran Talavikar
Rodrick Heffley Ian Riep
Mom Caroline Richardson
Mrs. Clayton Melissa Venditti
Dad Joey Gruszecki
Mr.Huff/ Mr.Underwood Hector Flores
Manny Heffley Dante Flores
Claire Ella Wilson
Patty Farrell Ayla Rayne Burbidge
Fregley Donovan Jones
Chrag Gupta Ethan Pearson
Bryce Anderson Amos Baux
Joshee Leah Chan
Yvette Raina Muradali
Pauline Ella Olschewski
Chris Hosey Quinn DeWolfe
Lionel Jamies Archer Landry
Charlie Davis Viktor Clayton
Youth Ensemble Autumn Xenis
Youth Ensemble Harper Ulrich
Youth Ensemble Gabriel Reyes Chaine
Youth Ensemble Eshiqa Rajabali
Youth Ensemble Jordie Botting
Teen Ensemble Talia Krueger
Teen Ensemble Juliet McDonald
Teen Ensemble Trina Remata
Teen Ensemble Marco Mosca
Teen Ensemble Conor Thomson
THE CREW
Director & Choreographer Stephan Dickson
Asst. Choreographer Mpoe Mogale
Musical Director Réjean Campbell
Stage Manager Niamh McCallion
Assistant Stage Manager Ross Wilson
Assistant Stage Manager Rawd Almasoud
Assistant Stage Manager Toluwalase Ayo-Farinloye
Assistant Stage Manager Natasha Sinclair
Costume Designer Jay Stover
Wardrobe Assitant Darcie Howe
Makeup Designer Elise Adkins
Hair Designer Cat Bentley
Property Master Mikee Laberge
Set Designer Terry Gunvordahl
Set Builder Josh Bailey
Set Support Nathan Snyder-Blok
Set Support DeNeane Osmond
Lighting Designer & SBT Artistic Producer JP Thibodeau
Lighting Operator Jo Ackerman
Sound Design & Programming Owen Jones
Sound Operator Paul Davies
Sound Operator Aretha Smith
Sound Operator Rahim Manji
Fight Director Rico Pfieffer
Intimacy Director Anastasia St Amand
Production Coordinator Nickolas Bishop
Operations Administrator Cale Thompson
Marketing & Graphic Design Director Jennifer Merio
Marketing Coordinator Mackenzie Devlin
Office Admin & Accounting Eva Stieber
Production Photography Tim Nguyen
MEET THE TEAM
MEET THE TEAM
SUPPORTERS, DONORS & CONTRIBUTORS
GOVERNMENT SUPPORTERS
PRIVATE SECTOR SUPPORTERS
MEDIA SUPPORTERS
DONORS, SUPPORTERS & CONTRIBUTORS
Occasional Notes Productions
Calgary Arts Development
Paul Davies
Teresa O’Regan
Gregory Smith
Clarice Siebens
Lane Olafson
Hesson Persaud
Corinne Spence
Janine Labossiere
Frank Fowler
The Wawanesa Mutual Life Insurance Co.
M.E.G Energy/Kenneth Wilson
Maria Shaw
Blue Spruce Investments Ltd.
Ann Farebrother
Maureen Morris
Ella Quinn
Kirk Schmidt
Melissa Smith
THANK YOU TO...
THANK YOU TO...
Elayne Fischer
Lydia Marshall-Browne
Morpheus Theatre
Margaret Harper
Workshop Theatre
Jacquie Brennan
And thank you to ALL of our extraordinary volunteers - your time and efforts help make the magic happen!