Broadway Star Derek Klena Brings Banana Ball to His Disneyland Roots

The Savannah Bananas made a splashy appearance at the Disneyland Resort, delighting fans with a day of Banana Ball entertainment and surprise moments. Among the team's standout stars was Tony-nominated Broadway performer Derek Klena, who grew up visiting Disneyland on annual passes from his grandparents and now blends his lifelong loves of theater and baseball as the Bananas' entertainment player and pitcher.

The Savannah Bananas brought their signature brand of Banana Ball to the Disneyland Resort, delivering a day packed with choreography, comedy, and crowd-pleasing entertainment for Southern California fans. Among the standout figures of the visit was Derek Klena — a Tony Award-nominated Broadway star who joined the Bananas for the 2026 season as an entertainment player and pitcher, merging a lifelong love of baseball with a career built on the stage.

The Greatest Show in Sports Meets the Happiest Place on Earth

The Savannah Bananas descended on the Disneyland Resort in Southern California for a day that exemplified what makes Banana Ball a sensation: a spontaneous, joy-filled spectacle where anything can happen. Fans in attendance experienced lively performances, player interactions, surprise moments, and a spread of themed merchandise alongside banana-flavored bites and beverages — a true showcase of the team's blend of athleticism and showmanship.

A Disneyland Childhood That Built a Broadway Career

For Derek Klena, the day felt like a homecoming. The Broadway star grew up in West Covina, California, not far from Anaheim, spending formative years at the Disneyland Resort on annual passes gifted by his grandparents. Parades were always a must-see tradition, and they remain among his most treasured components of any Disney day.

Adventureland and New Orleans Square rank among his favorite areas in the parks. He recalls rushing to Pirates of the Caribbean and Indiana Jones Adventure just before closing, calling the Enchanted Tiki Room a "staple of childhood," and hopping the Disneyland Railroad at Mickey's Toontown to ride back to Main Street while passing the dinosaurs along the way.

Derek's Disneyland Resort Must-Do's

• Attractions: Indiana Jones Adventure, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Toy Story Midway Mania!
• Food Items: A bread bowl from Royal Street Veranda and a churro
• Photo Spots: Classic castle photo at sunset, and a ride photo from Tiana's Bayou Adventure or Space Mountain
• Souvenirs: Anything from the Main Street Magic Shop, or a Silhouette Portrait

Beyond the parks, Derek's Disney touchstones run deep. Hercules and The Hunchback of Notre Dame remain two of his most-watched animated films, and Disney's Sing-Along Songs on VHS ranks among his earliest musical memories. The first professional show he ever saw was Disney's Beauty and the Beast at the Shubert Theatre in Los Angeles — a performance that prompted his mother to enroll him and his sister in voice and dance lessons.

From Community Theater to Broadway's Great White Way

That transformative evening at the Shubert Theatre sent Derek down a path of voice and dance training, community theater performances, and regional auditions throughout Southern California. He eventually originated roles in acclaimed productions including Dogfight, The Bridges of Madison County, Anastasia, and Jagged Little Pill — the latter earning him a Tony Award nomination. He went on to join beloved shows including Wicked and Moulin Rouge, establishing himself as one of Broadway's brightest performers.

Theatre was not Derek's only passion, however. He grew up loving sports and played college baseball at UCLA, pitching in a high school championship game held at Angel Stadium — the same venue where the Savannah Bananas are playing this week. When the time came to choose between the diamond and the stage, Derek chose performance — but the Bananas have now given him both.

A Full-Circle Moment with the Savannah Bananas

Broadway composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul were the ones who pitched Derek to Savannah Bananas owner Jesse Cole, believing his combination of theatrical training and baseball experience made him a perfect fit. An audition tape led to a trip to Savannah, and Derek's knack for both pitching and performing sealed the deal.

His 13-year-old self had apparently manifested this exact outcome, telling a television program that his dream was to play professional baseball and sing the National Anthem before a game. At the Savannah Bananas Day at Disneyland, his whole family was in attendance — including one child celebrating their very first Disney Park visit. "To have them all watch me live both my passions in one place that is already so special and sentimental, now playing Banana Ball, it's kind of surreal," Derek said.

Why Banana Ball and Disneyland Are a Natural Pair

When asked why Disneyland feels like the natural home for a Savannah Bananas appearance, Derek drew a direct parallel between the two entertainment philosophies. "Disneyland originated being The Happiest Place on Earth, and I feel like that's what we're trying to do with Banana Ball," he explained. "Creating an atmosphere that feels safe and inventive, where you can dream big and be accepted, where you can have fun and everybody leaves with a smile — that is the environment we are creating."

Through the lens of a performer who once had to choose between baseball and Broadway, Derek's story stands as a reminder that the biggest dreams do not always require choosing just one path.