On a brisk Friday morning at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, Derek Klena found himself preparing for a unique performance—one that combined his longstanding passions for baseball and the stage. Klena, a 34-year-old Tony-nominated actor known for roles in productions such as “Wicked” and “Moulin Rouge!,” has joined the Savannah Bananas, a traveling baseball team that blends sport with theatrical spectacle.

The Bananas, part of the six-team Banana Ball league, are known for their unconventional approach to the game, incorporating choreography, comedy, and musical performances into each event. With player antics ranging from backflips in the outfield to umpires breaking into dance routines, the league is designed as an ongoing entertainment show. Klena, who throws fastballs in the 80 mph range and possesses a background in musical theater, fits into the team as both a pitcher and a performer, drawing comparisons to two-way athletes like Shohei Ohtani — but with a stage presence.

Since his debut on March 5, Klena’s performances have attracted attention beyond the ballpark, with videos of his musical medleys from Disney songs and a recent tribute to “Dear Evan Hansen” reaching millions of views on social media platforms. The Yankee Stadium game held special significance for Klena, who has lived in New York throughout his acting career and welcomed the opportunity to bring a theatrical flourish to the sport in the city where baseball legends such as Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle played.

Jesse Cole, founder and CEO of the Savannah Bananas, oversees the league’s blend of baseball and showmanship. Dressed in the team’s signature bright yellow, Cole described Klena’s contributions as infusing the game with theatrical motion and energy. “It’s literally like putting up a new show every week,” Klena said, emphasizing the fast-paced nature of the productions that travel from city to city.

Klena’s dual interests in baseball and performing date back to his youth. At 13, he appeared on the reality show “America’s Most Talented Kids,” announcing ambitions to play professional baseball and sing the national anthem—a combination he pursued throughout his adolescence. His high school coach, Kevin Smith of South Hills High in California, recognized Klena’s pitching talent but also saw his commitment to theater, balancing support for both paths despite baseball’s traditional superstitions.

After receiving a theater scholarship to UCLA, Klena briefly rekindled his baseball aspirations when invited to join the Bruins team as a walk-on. Ultimately, his career focused on theater in New York, where he and his wife settled to raise their two sons. The opportunity with the Savannah Bananas, which runs through the end of the year, represents a rare chance to live out both of his lifelong dreams simultaneously. The couple referred to this period as their “YOLO year.”

Despite uncertainties about the future, Klena says the experience has been fulfilling. “We didn’t know what it was going to be,” he reflected. “If it was going to be the best experience of a lifetime or if it was something that didn’t work. So far, it’s been the best experience of a lifetime.”