“Diana, Princess of Wales”
MEDIA RELEASE
4 MAY-1 JUNE 2019
“Diana, Princess of Wales”
STAR TO OPEN BELPER ARTS FESTIVAL 2019
Jeanna de Waal, Broadway star of 'Kinky Boots' (Lauren) and 'American Idiot' (Heather), has been
cast as Diana in a new musical 'Diana, Princess of Wales' which opens in San Francisco in February.
Plans are in hand to take the show to Broadway...... but not before Jeanna has appeared in
concert to open Belper Arts Festival 2019 on 4 May.
“It's a real coup. Jeanna is a genuine Broadway star with leading roles in 'Kinky Boots' and American
Idiot' and has toured the USA as Glinda in 'Wicked',” said Festival Co-Ordinator George Gunby. “It
will be an incredible way to start the Belper Arts Festival.”
Fliss Goldsmith, who is the co-producer of the show, said “Jeanna is excited about coming to
Belper. We've already talked about the set and the audience can expect a wide variety of songs.
We are hoping that the show will feature something from Diana. Jeanna is a terrific talent. We
were at LIPA together and I've seen some amazing performances by her.”
Raised in Surrey, Jeanna moved to New York in 2009, where she still lives. Roles on and off
Broadway followed, the latest of which is Diana.
“To bring Diana to life on stage is obviously a huge privilege,” Jeanna said. “I feel very daunted by
the prospect but I hope people who didn’t know about her and weren’t aware of her journey leave
the theater with an idea of what she did for the world. She made everyone feel special, from the
highest person to the lowest-ranking person, and I think we want to celebrate her. “
Jeanna De Waal will be supported by Belper Musical Theatre and their Musical Director Dave
Adey at the concert on 4 May at St. Peter's Church, Chesterfield Rd., Belper. Earlybird tickets
are just £15 and go on sale on 9 October from OXFAM BOOKS, King St., Belper or online
belperartsfestival.org The offer ends 31 December.
PRESS CONTACT DETAILS : GEORGE GUNBY (FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATOR) 31A FIELD LANE,
BELPER, DERBYSHIRE D56 1DD TEL 07847 478251 EMAIL nonnel@sky.com
WEB SITE www.belperartsfestival.org