Biography

Ricardo Valenzuela

Ricardo Valenzuela is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, NYC. His experience with children comes from working at San Diego Civic Dance Arts for over a decade. Past Credits at SDJT as director and/or choreographer; Junie B. Jones, Mr. Poppers Penguins, Sleepy Hollow, The Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed, Pippi Long Stocking and Head Over Heels. He has also choreographed Mt. Carmel High School’s choir’s annual concert, “LEGENDS” since 2017, and their theatre’s productions of Cabaret, West Side Story, The Wizard of Oz and Little Shop of Horrors. Acting credits include two seasons as the character “Antonio” in the Latin American television show Dos y Dos, and two episodes of Los Jumpitz en Espanol. Ricardo has been lucky to perform with the following theatre companies: the Starlight, Moonlight Amphitheatre, San Diego Musical Theatre, Hispanic Arts Theatre, San Diego Asian Repertory Theatre, Performance Riverside and Coronado Playhouse. He holds a BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences LGBTQ+ studies from San Diego State University. Ricardo choreographed JT’s 2023 production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical and for JT’s 76th Season, he will be choreographing The Sound of Music and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Musical

Directed by Elissa Russell
Music Direction by Eliza Vedar
Choreography by Ricardo Valenzuela

Book by Kevin del Aguila
Music and Lyrics by Michael Mahler and Alan Schmuckler
Based on the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” Book Series
by Jeff Kinney and the 20th Century Fox Films

Middle school, ugh. It’s the worst. Greg is determined not to be at the bottom of the popularity chart. He’ll leave that to his weird neighbor, Fregley. Or maybe Greg’s best friend, Rowley Jefferson. But it’s not going to be Greg…no way. Will Greg’s plans lead him to sacrifice his one true friend? Can anyone avoid the dreaded Cheese Touch? Grab a hall pass and don’t be late for an adventure familiar to anyone who actually survived middle school.

Pippi Longstocking

Directed by Ricardo Valenzuela
Adapted for the Stage in a translation by Thomas W Olson
Music by Roberta Carlson
Lyrics by Roberta Carlson & Thomas W Olson
Based on the Books by Astrid Lindgren

The adventures of Pippi Longstocking and her best friends.

Mister Popper’s Penguins

Directed and Choreographed by Ricardo Valenzuela
Book and Lyrics by Jody Davidson
Music by Brett Schrier
Based on the Novel by Richard and Florence Atwater

Mr. Popper is a restless dreamer who spends his time reading of famous explorers in faraway places. His life changes when a package from Antarctica turns out to be a live penguin!

Junie B. Jones, the Musical

Directed and Choreographed by Ricardo Valenzuela
Book and lyrics by Marcy Heisler
Music by Zina Goldrich
Adapted from the Junie B. Jones Series of Books by Barbara Park

A musical abaout sassy little diva Junie B. Jones’ first day of first grade.