The New York Times bestselling book series by Jeff Kinney and popular movies based on “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” has been turned into a high-energy, hilarious musical and will be performed at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte starting Feb 1. Adapted for the stage by Kevin Del Aguila with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler and Alan Schmuckler, the show will bring nostalgic fun to all lovers of the series.
“There’s so much that a musical can do that a book can’t do, so the experience was really eye-opening for me,” said book series author Jeff Kinney. “I want audiences to feel the way I felt when I saw the production for the first time—completely entertained and blown away by how much fun a show can be!”
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The story follows Greg Heftley’s first day of middle school through the school year's end where he meets new friends and new bullies and learns about the dreaded cheese touch. In “New Year, New Me” fashion, Greg tries to rewrite his future with attempts to increase his popularity; however, this comedy of errors will prove that goal to be a challenging feat.
“The story asks a very fundamental question, ‘What determines a person’s worth and value?’” States Director James Webb. “In the musical, “Greg uses popularity as his measuring stick to determine his significance in middle school but eventually he learns that his true worth and value are grounded in how he contributes positively to his community and how well he treats his friends. This universal journey of figuring out who we are, navigating friendships, and dealing with social pressures is a timeless story that should resonate with everyone.” Webb continues, “The musical provides moments to reflect on the importance of family and friendships, even when those relationships are messy and complicated. I hope audiences will leave with a warm feeling of connection and gratitude for the people in their lives.”
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The show promises a campy and colorful world with music direction by Bill Congdon and catchy choreography by Rahsheem Shabazz. Douglas Clarke’s clever scenic design puts audiences right into Greg’s diary, with portals and set pieces painted by Charge Scenic Artist Tim Parati and his team that will make guests feel like they’re reading from the composition book. Kahei (Ketti) Shum McRae’s costume design mixes the worlds of the show from musical to vaudeville to comic book with nine characters becoming live-size drawings constructed by Craft Specialist Elizabeth Swanson. Gordon Olson’s lighting and projection designs will paint this cartoon world with surreal lighting effects that will amaze audiences. Every piece on stage is made in-house at the Theatre by resident artisans.
To see the world created by Jeff Kinney come to life on stage, visit Children’s Theatre of Charlotte between Feb 1 and Mar 2. Tickets for "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical" and information about the 2024-25 season are available online at charlotte.org or by calling the Box Office at (704) 973-2828. Group discounts are available for parties of 10 or more, making it a fantastic outing for families and organizations.
