“Diana” will shoot a filmed version of the musical for Netflix ahead of an expected 2021 Broadway opening.
The musical will be filmed without an audience at the Longacre Theatre, where “Diana” was originally scheduled to open in March 2020. The film is slated to premiere on Netflix in 2021. A Broadway opening is scheduled for May 25, 2021.
“We speak for the entire company when we say that we couldn’t be more excited to finally be able share our show with theater lovers everywhere. Though there is no substitute for the live theater, we are honored to be a part of the quality entertainment that Netflix provides its subscribers worldwide,” producers Beth Williams of Grove Entertainment, Frank Marshall and the Araca Group said in a statement.
The producers say they have “worked closely” with Actors’ Equity on safety protocols for filming. Those protocols, according to Equity, include “an isolation plan for the actors and stage managers,” changes to the ventilation system in the back of the theater and testing for Equity members.
“Today, we can announce that we have approved a safety plan for Diana. Now comes the hard part – taking a safety plan from the page and putting it into practice. The work to provide the safest workplace possible in this environment will require everyone to work together, from the employer to every employee,” said Mary McColl, executive director of Actors’ Equity.
The Netflix film will feature the original cast of the musical, including Jeanna de Waal as Diana, Roe Hartrampf as Prince Charles, Erin Davie as Camilla Parker Bowles and Judy Kaye as Queen Elizabeth. Christopher Ashley, director of the musical, will helm the Netflix film.
The new musical, which features a book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro and music and lyrics by David Bryan, began Broadway previews on March 2, 2020, but had to suspend its run after the closure of Broadway theaters on March 12.
This is the first suspended production of the 2019-2020 season to announce a filmed version of the show. It follows the premiere of “Hamilton” on Disney+, which the streaming service said helped grow subscriptions.
Broadway productions are currently closed through at least Jan. 3, however several have set spring 2021 reopening dates. A few productions, including “American Buffalo” and “The Minutes,” say their spring opening date is dependent on the availability of a COVID-19 vaccine.
