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Theo’s ‘Diana’ a tribute to beloved artistic director

Theo’s staging of “Diana: The Musical” is a labor of love. Of course, that’s the case for most of the Evanston company’s productions, which typically consist of lesser-known, infrequently produced musicals or jewel box versions of classic tuners.

But “Diana” is different.

More than any other Theo production, this regional premiere is an expression of love and respect for co-director Fred Anzevino, who co-founded Theo (originally known as Theo Ubique Theatre) in 1997 and served as its artistic director until his death April 28, days after “Diana” rehearsals commenced.

Co-director/choreographer Brenda Didier took over Theo’s regional premiere of “Diana: The Musical” following the death of her longtime friend, mentor and co-director Fred Anzevino. “He’s a very special man to a lot of people and he’s missed,” said the Lincolnshire native. “He’s one of a kind.” Courtesy of The Whitney City

“In my heart of hearts I think he knew it might be his last show,” recalled Anzevino’s longtime friend, protégé and “Diana” co-director/choreographer Brenda Didier, winner of multiple Joseph Jefferson Awards, who credits her directing career to him.

Anzevino approached the Lincolnshire native about the show last year after Mercury Theater Chicago opened its acclaimed regional premiere of “Jersey Boys,” which Didier co-directed.

“We’re doing ‘Diana,’” he told her, gauging her interest.

Jack Saunders plays Prince Charles and Kate McQuillan plays Princess Diana in Theo’s regional premiere of “Diana: The Musical,” co-directed by Brenda Didier and the company’s late artistic director Fred Anzevino. Courtesy of Time Stops Photography

Didier was unfamiliar with composer/lyricist David Bryan and writer/lyricist Joe DiPietro’s musical chronicling Diana’s life from her introduction as Prince Charles’ fiance at 19 to her death at 36 from a car accident in Paris. She thought Anzevino intended to stage a Diana Ross musical.

Clearing up the misunderstanding, Anzevino reminded her that while he survived the 1980s AIDS epidemic, many of his friends did not. He explained that Diana’s compassion for people, particularly people with AIDS, and her determination to debunk misconceptions about its transmission, touched him. Admiration for her and a desire to help preserve her legacy inspired Theo’s revival.

“I know it’s risky. I know it’s daring. That’s why I like it,” Didier recalled Anzevino saying when he invited her to co-direct the musical she describes as a soap opera, calling it silly, serious and campy.

For Anzevino, that was the appeal of the show, which premiered in 2019 at the La Jolla Playhouse in California. After transferring to Broadway the following year, “Diana” closed during previews in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In October 2021, Netflix aired a film version of the show prior to its November 2021 Broadway opening. It closed a month and two days later.

Recognizing the show’s imperfections, Didier did some tweaking, including reconceiving the opening of Act II as a British burlesque (an idea Anzevino loved).

“There’s pressure on all of us to deliver and do this right,” she said.

Buffalo Grove native Dan Gold plays Princess Diana’s lover James Hewitt in Theo’s regional premiere of “Diana: The Musical.”

Shortly before he died, Anzevino confided to the cast that he was unwell. The program lists him as co-director, and Theo’s production bears his mark, said Dan Gold, who plays Diana’s lover James Hewitt.

“Because he shaped so much of it in the early days of preproduction, his fingerprint is still on the show,” said the Buffalo Grove native. That includes the preshow announcement that Anzevino recorded.

Queen Elizabeth (Jacqueline Grandt), left, meets with daughter-in-law Diana (Kate McQuillan) in Theo’s regional premiere of “Diana: The Musical,” chronicling the life of the Princess of Wales from her emergence on the international scene until her death at 36. Courtesy of Time Stops Photography

Gold and Didier say Anzevino saw the musical as a way of preserving Diana’s legacy of charity and humanity. Theo’s “Diana” does the same for Anzevino, a respected Chicago-area artist who dreamed big in a little theater.

“Carrying the light, telling the story and pushing someone’s legacy … it’s important to do that for Fred,” Gold said.

“I will always love Fred and I will always be grateful,” said Didier, who noticed her old friend struggling with his breathing during the creative team’s preproduction Zoom meetings.

She offered to drive him to the hospital, but she said he declined, fearful that if he entered the hospital he might never leave.

Anzevino told Didier he had to make it to June 1, one day after “Diana’s” May 31 opening. “What if you don’t?” she asked.

“Then I'll have the best seat in the house,” he said.

• • •

“Diana: The Musical”

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 6 p.m. Sundays through July 7

Where: Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, 721 Howard St., Evanston, (773) 939-4101, theo-u.com

Tickets: $30-$60

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