Princess Diana musical heads to Broadway in 2020 with characters including Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles

'I asked around to see if anyone was doing it — no one was'
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Megan C. Hills16 August 2019

The story of Princess Diana has been told many times - in films, books, plays and by her sons. Now, her life is set to be celebrated once more on a much bigger stage. A musical called ‘Diana’ is heading to Broadway next year, documenting the story of Princess Diana marrying into the royal family and the path it sets her on.

The show premiered in San Diego’s La Jolla Playhouse and ended its run on April 14, however, it’s now slated for an exciting transfer to Broadway. When it premiered in La Jolla, royal commentator Elizabeth Holmes reviewed the show on Instagram, singing its praises.

Previews for the show will begin on March 2, 2020, with the show’s original Diana actor Jeanna de Wall reprising her role next year at the Longacre Theatre. It will open to the public on March 31, 2020.

Jeanna de Waal as Princess Diana
La Jolla Playhouse

According to People, the musical is set in 1981 - the same year that Princess Diana married Prince Charles - and begins just prior to their highly publicised wedding.

Touching on subjects including her ex-husband Prince Charles’ affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles, her charity work and iconic outfits including the Revenge Dress, the show has an impressive creative team bringing it to life.

AFP/Getty Images

With a number of Tony-award winners working on the project, it includes music written by Bon Jovi member David Bryan and Memphis writer Joe DiPietro, as well as ‘Come From Away’ director Christopher Ashley taking the helm.

Actor Roe Hartrampf will be reprising his role as Prince Charles, as part of the original cast from the San Diego leg.

Jeanna de Waal and Roe Hartrampf as Princess Diana and Prince Charles
La Jolla Playhouse

DiPietro opened up to LondonTheatre.co.uk about his inspiration for the musical, saying, I was reading a book about her and I thought, ‘This is an amazing story about an amazing woman.’ She has this aspirational aspect to her where she really wanted to do good. I thought it was a great idea for a musical.

“I asked around to see if anyone was doing it — no one was — so David [Bryan] and I just jumped into it,” he continued.

Jeanna De Waal as Princess Diana, Erin Davie as Camilla Parker-Bowles and Roe Hartrampf as Prince Charles
La Jolla Playhouse

He added that the musical was “very much about marriage”, continuing that Princess Diana, Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and Queen Elizabeth were the “four main characters”.

Diana actor De Wall celebrated the news of the show’s Broadway debut on Instagram, calling it an “INSANE announcement”.

Princess Diana and Prince Charles - In pictures

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