Diana: The Musical
Snap, Click! - Production Photos by Time Stops Photography
I served as Associate Music Director for Theo Ubique’s production of Diana: The Musical. For this show, I had the opportunity to reorchestrate the show to fit within three players, and creatively made the decision to go with a double keyboard setup. Our Music Director, Carolyn Brady, wanted to lean into a large 80’s sound with heavy synths. We wanted to stay away from using synthetic horns or strings since Mainstage doesn’t synthesize real instruments well. Instead, I leaned into the bombastic nature of the score by using lead sawtooth synths, 80’s pads instead of strings, and if we were to use horns, a Synth Brass patch instead of a imitation of french horns or trumpets.
A lot of the inspiration for the sound came from bands like Pink Floyd and the Who, using Delay plugins, DX7 patches, and Organs to fill out the sound while a more percussive patch was used to drive the melody forward. I was very lucky to have Matt Wolf on both Bass and Cello, and Ben Heppner on Drums to create a large sound with only 3 instrumentalists.
My mainstage setup! Two keyboards sending independent MIDI signals. I did all of the keyboard programming in this show, so this is unique to Theo’s production!
We also had the opportunity to extend this show twice, which was an interesting challenge from the production standpoint. Many shows were juggling cast members on who could or could not be there, and I took on the leadership to teach the show and split vocal parts to the new cast members joining us! Shoutout Ismael Garcia and Daniel Hurst for their professionalism and incredible work ethic to keep the show going!
Production Staff:
Co-Director - Fred Anzevino (1957-2025)
Co-Director and Choreographer - Brenda Didier
Associate Director/Choreographer - Cameron Turner
Music Director - Carolyn Brady
Set Design - Manuel Ortiz
Lighting Designer - Denise Karczewski
Costume Designer - Patty Halajian
Sound Designer - Matthew Chase
Audio Engineer - Morgan Dudaryk
Stage Manager - Corbin Paulino
Asst Stage Manager - Mags Sowell and Camille Foss
