Derek Klena will be seen in an upcoming Hallmark Channel movie, A Holiday Spectacular, expected to be released as part of the 2022 Countdown to Christmas programming.
Deadline reports that Klena will be joined by Golden Globe winner Ann-Margret, who starred in the 1960s movie musicals State Fair and Bye Bye Birdie, and Kenny Ortega's Newsies; The Brady Bunch's Eve Plumb; Wicked alum Ginna Claire Mason; and the Radio City Rockettes.
The movie takes place in 1958 and follows Maggie, a Philadelphia heiress, who sneaks to New York City to pursue her dreams of dancing in the Radio City Music Hall's Christmas Spectacular. Jagged Little Pill alum Klena plays a U.S. Navy photographer named John who sparks a "chance encounter" for the fleeing bride-to-be.
Jessica Tuttle, senior vice president of Productions at Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp., commented, "This heartwarming storyline gives audiences a peek into the passion and dedication that the Rockettes have for this beloved dance company and the incredible sisterhood that is at the core of this legendary line.”
Directed by John Putch, the movie was shot in upstate New York and at Radio City Music Hall, and will feature choreography by Rockettes director and choreographer Julie Branam. Dustin Rikert serves as the executive producer, Tony Glazer and Summer Crockett Moore as producers, and the script was written by Julie Sherman Wolfe.
