New Bedford Debuts 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' Musical

The SouthCoast Children's Theatre is gearing up for its highly anticipated premiere of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical.

Directed by Artistic Director Sarah Lawrence, with choreography by Julie Regan and music direction by Sarah Donner, the musical is based on Jeff Kinney’s wildly popular book series.

It marks the first time the production is being staged in the region, possibly even in all of New England.

“We try to tie our shows into educational opportunities,” Lawrence explained. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a book series that’s still super popular. The author, Jeff Kinney, owns a bookstore in Plainville, so we’ve been trying to reach out to him and see if he can surprise the kids.”

SouthCoast Children’s Theatre has been a staple in the local arts community since its founding in 2008 by Dennis Lawrence Jr., Sarah’s father. While the group doesn’t have a dedicated home, it primarily rehearses at Keith Middle School and utilizes local libraries for workshops and summer camps.

Courtesy Sarah Lawrence

The nonprofit organization prides itself on providing free opportunities for young performers.

“Not every school has a drama club, and performing arts programs can be expensive,” Lawrence said. “We have 80 kids in this show, from first through eighth grade, and we try to make it as accessible as possible.”

For Lawrence, the most rewarding part of directing is seeing the young actors grow. “I let the kids be creative and help me direct,” she said. “Watching their talent develop over five months is incredible.”

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical will take the stage at Keith Middle School in New Bedford on May 9 at 7 p.m. and May 10th at both 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Tickets for Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. They can be purchased online at SouthCoastChildrensTheater.com, with names placed on a list for pickup at the door.

Courtesy Sarah Lawrence

With a history of memorable productions and a mission to make theater accessible, SouthCoast Children’s Theatre continues to provide a creative space for young talent.

As for what’s next after Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Lawrence teased that the next show will be announced during production week, so stay tuned.

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