Diamond Destiny Brings Faith, Fun, and Flippy to Wharton Center

Photo by Jeremy Daniel 24-25 Touring Company L-R Brandon James Butorovich, Mundo Ballejos, Marquise Neal, Jake Wernecke, Sadie Jayne Kennedy, Glory Yepassis-Zembrou.jpg

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EAST LANSING, MI — When Dog Man: The Musical arrives at the Wharton Center on November 1, the laughter and lessons won’t be limited to its mischievous canine hero. Behind the energy and sparkle of “Flippy,” the show’s spirited villain, is actor Diamond Destiny, a rising talent whose faith and purpose shine just as brightly as her performance.

For Destiny, each city on tour tells its own story. “I love to see the atmosphere in each city,” she shared. “The energy of each audience is unique; it makes me want to create a space where people feel seen.” Her heart for connection began when she was just seven, joking with her father at her grandparents’ house. “He said, ‘You’ll be an actress one day,’ and I said, ‘Oh yeah?’” She laughed. “And here I am.” Since graduating from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Destiny has performed for audiences across North America, bringing joy and representation to young viewers who see themselves in her characters.

A woman of strong faith, Destiny is open about what keeps her grounded. “I want everyone to know I’m here on this journey because of the Lord Jesus Christ,” she said. “He has carried me from that seven-year-old girl to now. His grace has sustained me.” In Dog Man: The Musical, a New York Times Critics’ Pick based on Dav Pilkey’s best-selling children’s books, Destiny plays Flippy, the cyborg fish with a flair for mischief. The role allows her to blend humor, heart, and high-energy performance. “I remind myself it’s not about me,” she reflected. “It’s about the character, about delivering the message and embracing the story fully.”

What excites her most about the production is its diversity, both on stage and in its reach. “Our cast represents so many backgrounds,” she said. “It’s beautiful to know children of every culture can look at this show and feel included.” Destiny hopes families leave the theater laughing, dancing, and believing. After all, Dog Man ends with a full-on Robo Dance Party, proof that joy, like faith, is contagious.

Dog Man: The Musical plays at Wharton Center for Performing Arts on Saturday, November 1, 2025. For tickets, visit whartoncenter.com or call 1-800-WHARTON.