Biography
Born on 24 February 1930 in Cleveland, Ohio, and passing away on 13 May 2006 in Manhattan, New York City, Joan Diener made her initial Broadway appearance in the short-lived revue Small Wonder in 1948 before taking a brief role two years later in the play Season In The Sun. Her distinctive vocal approach and striking stage presence pointed toward broader recognition, yet she secured parts in only two commercially successful productions throughout her career. Married to director Albert Marre, she first worked with him when cast as Lalume in the Robert Wright and George Forrest musical Kismet, which reached Broadway in December 1953. Marre selected her for the part, allowing her to introduce the number “Not Since Ninevah,” and she shared the duet “Rahadlakum” with co-star Alfred Drake. She repeated the role in the 1955 London staging of Kismet. Upon returning to the United States she was slated for another Wright and Forrest show, Grand Hotel, though the production never reached New York; a later version finally opened on Broadway in 1992.
Several years passed before Diener landed another leading part in a hit New York production. That opportunity arrived with her portrayal of Aldonza in Mitch Leigh and Joe Darion’s Man Of La Mancha, which began its run in 1965. The show, initially staged off-Broadway under Marre’s direction, paired her with Richard Kiley, whose combined efforts helped drive its unexpected popularity. She later traveled with the production to London and also appeared in a Paris mounting opposite Jacques Brel.
During the 1970s Diener appeared in two unsuccessful Broadway ventures, Cry For Us All in 1970 alongside Paul Muni and Home Sweet Homer in 1976. After withdrawing into semi-retirement she made a striking though brief return to the New York stage in 1992 for the revival of Man Of La Mancha. Stepping into the role of Aldonza in April after Sheena Easton’s departure, she remained with the show until its July closing and reminded audiences that both her vocal command and commanding stage presence remained undiminished.
Several years passed before Diener landed another leading part in a hit New York production. That opportunity arrived with her portrayal of Aldonza in Mitch Leigh and Joe Darion’s Man Of La Mancha, which began its run in 1965. The show, initially staged off-Broadway under Marre’s direction, paired her with Richard Kiley, whose combined efforts helped drive its unexpected popularity. She later traveled with the production to London and also appeared in a Paris mounting opposite Jacques Brel.
During the 1970s Diener appeared in two unsuccessful Broadway ventures, Cry For Us All in 1970 alongside Paul Muni and Home Sweet Homer in 1976. After withdrawing into semi-retirement she made a striking though brief return to the New York stage in 1992 for the revival of Man Of La Mancha. Stepping into the role of Aldonza in April after Sheena Easton’s departure, she remained with the show until its July closing and reminded audiences that both her vocal command and commanding stage presence remained undiminished.