A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Full-Length Musical, Comedy  /  3w, 3m, 4girl(s), 6boy(s), 4 any gender (youth) plus ensemble

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 Studios Films

Jeff Kinney’s popular character Greg Heffley takes center stage as his cartoon diary becomes a hilarious and heartfelt musical. Grab a hall pass and don’t be late for an adventure familiar to anyone who actually survived middle school.

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 3m, 4girl(s), 6boy(s), 4 any gender (youth) plus ensemble
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Adaptation (Literature), Theatre for Young Audiences
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for All Audiences

Details

Summary

Middle school, ugh. It’s the worst. But Greg Heffley is determined not to be at the bottom of the popularity chart. He’ll leave that to his weird neighbor, Fregley. Or maybe his best friend, Rowley Jefferson. But it’s not going to be Greg... no way.

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 actually survived middle school.

History

Diary of a Wimpy Kid premiered in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the Children’s Theatre Company on 12 April 2016. Directed by Rachel Rockwell, the production featured Ricky Falbo, David Rosenthal, Tod Peterson, Autumn Ness and Huxley Westemeier.

GREG HEFFLEY – Male-identifying, any ethnicity. 11 years old, a first-year middle schooler, driven with a burning desire to achieve popularity and acclaim at any and all costs. Equal parts cocky and insecure, Greg’s single-focus on popularity often makes him short-sighted and immature, almost costing him his closest friendship. Strong comedic young performer with a powerful, unchanged singing voice.
ROWLEY JEFFERSON – Male-identifying, any ethnicity. 11 years old, first-year middle schooler, with a determinedly sunny disposition and über positive outlook on life. Almost blindly devoted to Greg, but ultimately capable of standing up for himself. Strong comedic young performer with a powerful, unchanged singing voice.
RODRICK HEFFLEY – Male-identifying, any ethnicity. A sullen, sarcastic 16 years old, older brother of Greg, and his main tormentor. Brash and obnoxious, Rodrick is the front-man of the heavy-metal, garage band Löded Diper and delights in torturing Greg and taxing their parents’ goodwill. Strong comedic young performer with a powerful singing voice.
FRANK HEFFLEY – Male-identifying, any ethnicity. Greg’s put-upon father, who possesses an interest in U.S. history and a deep distrust of teenagers. Uncomfortable speaking with tweens, Frank is always trying to toughen Greg up and get him to “go be active,” perhaps in an effort to keep his son from following in his own wimpy footsteps. Strong comedic performer and singer.
SUSAN HEFFLEY – Female-identifying, any ethnicity. Greg’s chipper, loving and overly supportive mother, Susan is a former pre-school teacher who is constantly looking for “teachable moments” with her boys. Though she always sees the best in her kids (sometimes blinding her to reality), she is also quick to become the household disciplinarian when necessary. Strong comedic performer and singer.
MANNY HEFFLEY – Impossibly adorable and spoiled baby brother of Greg and Rodrick. Manny enjoys exalted status as his parents dote on him and make constant excuses for his behavior. Strong comedic young performer of any gender to portray a toddler.
CHIRAG GUPTA – Male-identifying, South Asian descent. Greg’s quick-witted and wily classmate, who is enthusiastically engaged in a years-long prank battle with Greg. Strong comedic young performer with a powerful, unchanged singing voice. NOTE: Please make every effort to cast an actor of South Asian decent. The actor should speak with their natural accent. If it is not possible to cast an actor of South Asian descent, please cast any ethnicity and adopt the name Duane Higgins.
PATTY FARRELL – Female-identifying, any ethnicity. Ambitious, driven and overachieving classmate of Greg. Always out to best him at every turn since he poured glitter-glue down her back in second grade, Patty sees success as the only destination. Strong comedic young performer with a powerful singing voice.
FREGLEY – Male-identifying, any ethnicity. Greg’s deeply odd-ball classmate, who is sensitive to sugar and unapologetically interested in his own boogers. Strong comedic young performer with a powerful, unchanged singing voice.
BRYCE ANDERSON – Male-identifying, any ethnicity. Dreamboat classmate of Greg’s who enjoys unfettered adoration and popularity. Infamous for his cutting remarks and cute-butt status, Bryce has hit his growth-spurt early and presents as more mature than many of his peers. Strong comedic young performer and singer.
JOSHIE – Male or female-identifying, any ethnicity. European teen pop star and Rowley’s idol. A cross between a boy band star and KidzBop performer, Joshie is obviously manufactured to make responsibility sound cool to 6-8 year old girls. His or her motto: Follow your dreams and respect your parents! Strong comedic young performer and singer with pop chops.
CHRIS/CHRISTINE HOSEY and LIONEL/LEONA JAMES – Male or female-identifying, any ethnicity. Two of the most unpopular and nerdy kids in Middle School. Strong comedic young performers and singers.
PAULENE and YVETTE – Female-identifying, any ethnicity. Patty Farrell’s minions. They like what she likes and dislike whatever she dislikes – aka Greg. They are perfect in every way but always look up to Patty. Strong comedic young performers and singers. 
CLAIRE – Female-identifying, any ethnicity. A Wednesday Addams-lite, goth-in-training middle schooler. Claire is the keeper of the lore of the Cheese Touch and takes it upon herself to make sure nobody starts the dreaded curse again. Strong comedic young performer and singer.
MR. WINSKY – Male-identifying, any ethnicity. Faculty advisor of the school’s Safety Patrol. He takes his job super seriously, as though he’s head of the FBI or Special Ops. 
BILL WALTER – Male-identifying, any ethnicity. 35-years-old, an unemployed rocker dude who still lives with his folks and plays in Rodrick’s high school band, Löded Diper. Strong comedic performer and singer.
MRS. CLAYTON – Female-identifying, any ethnicity. Greg’s no-nonsense English teacher. Loves to host the Winter Talent Show every year.
FREGLEY’S MOM – A creepy, frail and occasionally terrifying elderly woman. She could be a ghost. Strong comedic performer and singer.

If doubling is desired, the same actor can play MR. WINSKY and BILL WALTER and another actor can play both MRS. CLAYTON and FREGLEY’S MOM.

  • Time Period Present Day
  • Setting

    Middle School. Present day.

  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)

Media

“It’s a buoyant and kind show... the script is funny, the pop-meets-Broadway songs are bouncy and clever.” – Star Tribune (MN)

“Diary of a Wimpy Kid bounces onto the stage with confidence, energy and goodwill to spare... I don’t think it’s a stretch to say this show has charisma... it is a huge amount of fun.” – Talkin’ Broadway

Videos

  • Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Musical – Children’s Theatre Company Trailer youtube thumbnail

    Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Musical – Children’s Theatre Company Trailer

  • Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Musical Trailer – Orlando Family Stage youtube thumbnail

    Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Musical Trailer – Orlando Family Stage

  • Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Musical – Children’s Theatre Company Second Look youtube thumbnail

    Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Musical – Children’s Theatre Company Second Look

  • Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Musical – San Diego Junior Theatre Trailer youtube thumbnail

    Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Musical – San Diego Junior Theatre Trailer

Music

Music Samples

Act I
1. “Overture” – Ensemble
2. “The Middle of it All (Part 1)” – Greg, Rodrick, Mom, Dad, Ensemble, Students, Teachers
2A. “The Middle of it All (Part 2)” – Greg, Reporters, Fregley, Ensemble
3. “The Cheese Touch” – Claire, Students
3A. “The Middle of it All” – Greg, Claire, Chris Hosey, Lionel James, Eighth Graders, Students
3B. Incidental: Band Practice – Orchestra
3C. Incidental: Heading to Rowley’s – Orchestra
4. “Joshie Says” – Rowley, Greg
4A. Incidental: The Heffley Home – Orchestra
4B. “The Middle of it All (Parent’s Reprise)” – Mom, Dad
4C. “Cheese Touch (Reprise)” – Kids, Cheese Touch Girl
4D. Incidental: Chirag Prank – Orchestra
4E. Incidental: Before Election – Orchestra
5. “Better Than You” – Greg, Rowley, Bryce Anderson, Patty Farrell, Yvette, Pauline, Mrs. Clayton, Kids
5A. Incidental: This Cup of Cake – Orchestra
5B. Incidental: The Heffley Home Again – Orchestra
5C. Incidental: Before You’re Changing – Orchestra
6. “You’re Changing” – Dad
6A. You’re Changing Playoff – Orchestra
7. Incidental: Halloween Sequence (Part 1) – Orchestra
7A. Incidental: Halloween Sequence (Part 2) – Orchestra
7B. Incidental: Halloween Sequence (Part 3) – Orchestra
7C. Incidental: Into Chirag’s House – Orchestra
8. “All About the Mom Bucks” – Greg, Rowley, Chirag Gupta, Paparazzi, Fashionistas
8A. “Mom Bucks Playoff“ – Kids
9. “Winter Talent Show (Part 1)” – Greg
9A. “Winter Talent Show (Part 2)” – Mom, Dad
9B. “Winter Talent Show (Part 3)” – Teen Thugs, Patty Farrell, Chris Hosey, Lionel James, Rowley, Rodrick, Löded Diper, Fregley, Greg, Bryce Anderson, Yvette, Pauline, Kids, Ensemble

Act II
10. “Animal Heart” – Joshie, Backup Dancers, Rowley, Mom, Dad, Rodrick, Manny, Fregley, Chirag Gupta, Ensemble
10A. Incidental: Animal Heart Playoff – Orchestra
11. “Safety Patrol” – Mr. Winsky, Safety Patrol Officers, Greg, Rowley, Kindergarteners, Ensemble
11A. Incidental: Safety Patrol Playoff – Orchestra
12. “Doin’ My Thing” – Greg, Rowley, Cartoon Jingle Singers
12A. Incidental: The Cartoonist – Orchestra
13.“He Made It” – Greg, Chris Hosey, Lionel James, Claire, Patty Farrell, Eighth Grader 1, Valentines Students
.14. “What Really Happened” – Cartoon Jingle Singers
14A. Incidental: Kindergartner’s Sequence – Greg, Kindergartners
15. “Do the Right Thing, Greg” – Mom, Greg
15A. Playoff: Do the Right Thing – Orchestra
16. “Rodrick Rules” – Rodrick, Ensemble, Rowley
16A. Incidental: Rowley Reinstated – Orchestra
16B. “The Middle of it All (Fregley Reprise)” – Greg
17. “The Fregley Song (That’d Be Fun)” – Fregley, Greg, Fregley’s Mom, Dad
18. “Dear Diary” – Greg Rowley
19. “Fregley’s Apology” – Fregley
19A. Incidental: The Heffley Home One More Time – Orchestra
19B. “You’re Changing (Reprise)” – Dad
19C. “Cheese Touch (Reprise 2)” – Kids
20. “Zoo-Wee Mama” – Students
21. “The Fight” – Greg, Rowley, Eighth Graders 1-2, Chirag Gupta, Patty Farrell, Chris Hosey, Students
22. “The Middle of it All (Finale)” – Full Company
23. Bows – Orchestra

  • Vocal DemandsModerate

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Authors

Kevin Del Aguila

Kevin is an acclaimed actor, writer, and director in New York City. He is a two-time Emmy Award-winning writer of the PBS show Peg + Cat, recipient of the Heideman Award for his play The Greekest Of Tragedies (Actors Theatre of Louisville), and book-writer of the hit comedy A ...

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Alan Schmuckler

Alan Schmuckler is a musical theater artist whose work includes writing, performing and music directing. In addition to work for the live stage, Alan has also created work for television, podcasts and digital formats. His work has been performed across the US and internationa ...

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Michael Mahler

and Alan Schmuckler are a songwriting team whose experience includes The Secret of My Success (NBC/Universal); musical TV pilot Boyfred (ABC/Sony/Shoe Money Productions); animated feature My Little Pony 2 (Hasbro, Ron Fair); music video LEGO Store: The Musical. Musicals in de ...
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