DEREK KLENA by Carol Kaufman Segal

           

Derek Klena is a 28-year old handsome, warm and talented young man who grew up in California.  Now a successful Broadway actor and singer, he came back to Los Angeles for his first LA concert that was presented at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood on August 10. 

            

Derek Klena’s show was an intimate look at his life from his early years in West Covina where he was born and where he first performed locally at the age of 6.  He told about his family life, his childhood, people who helped him in his life and career, and all of his experiences before moving to New York.  All throughout, he interspersed his accounts with songs accompanied by pianist Ben Rouhala and guitarist Emily Rosenfield. 

           

 Derek’s guest star of the evening was Lindsey Mendez who had appeared with him on Broadway in Wicked and Off-Broadway in DogFight.  Their performance together was delightful.  The El Portal was packed for this production.  Derek made the audience feel as though he was speaking to each one personally.  He has a wonderful singing voice, and I hope one day, in the very near future, he will come back to Los Angeles to entertain us in a full Broadway production.