Press Kit

About “Parade” Jason Robert Brown is considered one of the most gifted young composers of a new generation of artists that are writing for the American musical theatre. His music and lyrics for PARADE garnered him a Tony Award after the show opened on Broadway in 1999.

Parade is an epic American musical, the true story of one of the most famous trials in American history. Set in Atlanta in 1913, PARADE tells the story of Leo Frank, a Jewish factory manager ostracized for his faith and Northern heritage. When he is accused of murdering a teenaged factory girl the day of the annual Confederate Memorial Day parade, the city of Atlanta races to justice, and in the process convicts a man who is, most likely, totally innocent. Composer Jason Robert Brown brings this unique story to life utilizing a combination of pop-rock, folk, R&B and gospel music. His highly acclaimed score for PARADE showcases his diverse sensibility as a musician and composer--the ability to fuse pop-rock stylings with theatrical lyrics. Difficult to classify, PARADE is at once a riveting murder mystery, a gripping courtroom drama, a moving love story, and certainly one of the most powerful new musical theatre works of our time. It is an intimate and thought-provoking look at the destructive power of intolerance, and the redemptive power of love.

“It is rare, but sometimes in musical theatre, everything comes together--story, music, performances--to produce moments that can’t be duplicated in any other medium. Such an experience occurs in PARADE.” --Associated Press

The Illuminative Power of Art For a work of American musical theatre to take on challenging social issues is certainly not unique. What sets PARADE apart is the raw power of Jason Robert Brown’s music and lyrics, combined with the concise, almost filmic storytelling skill of playwright Alfred Uhry. The story of Leo Frank and the political and emotional atmosphere that fueled this tragic story has so many modern parallels. In this election year 2012, we still struggle to comes to terms with the same issues illuminated by this 99-year-old story. Racism, religious intolerance, class distinction, immigration, and the power of the media to influence our lives--these are all issues that have significant impact on the divided political landscape of our nation. PARADE exposes those generational roots, and is, at the same time, an honest call for tolerance and understanding. This is the power of art. --Barry Smoot, Director of PARADE

2007 London Revival, Donmar Warehouse

2007 London Revival, Donmar Warehouse

2007 London Revival, Donmar Warehouse

Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.

FRANK INDICTED IN PHAGAN CASEThe Atlanta Constitution (1881-2001); May 25, 1913; ProQuest Historical Newspapers Atlanta Constitution (1868 - 1945)pg. 2

The murder of Mary Phagan is still shrouded in mystery 99 years after her tragic death in 1913. Leo Frank was the Jewish-American superintendent of the National Pencil Company in Atlanta, Georgia. Frank was convicted on August 26, 1913 of the murder of

one of his factory workers, Mary Phagan. Frank was the last person to have seen her alive. His trial became the focus of powerful class, regional, and political interests. Raised in New York, he was cast as a representative of Yankee capitalism, a rich northern Jew oppressing the vulnerable working class. Zealot politician Tom Watson used the sensational coverage of the case in his own publications to push for the revival of the Klu Klux Klan, singling Frank out as a monster of Jewish aristocracy.

The body of Mary Phagan was found in the basement of the pencil factory warehouse, discovered by a factory watchman. News quickly spread of her violent death, and the entire city of Atlanta demanded quick action and swift justice. It was determined that Frank was the last person to see her alive, and after

some investigation, he was arrested. The prosecution secured the testimony of an African American sweeper at the factory to serve as the foundation for their circumstantial case. The worker, Jim Conley, told police that immediately after the murder Frank had confessed the crime to him, and offered him money to move the body to another location and cover up any incriminating evidence. Armed with this witness, the prosecution secured an indictment of Frank for murder, and the entire state of Georgia expressed their collective outrage at this terrible crime. He became, on the words of historian John Higham, “a symbol of the northern capitalist exploiting southern womanhood.” The fact

that the violation occurred in the very factory where the young Mary worked long hours for pitiful wages made the crime seem all the more reprehensible. Public outrage grew stronger as the trial commenced. Newspapers began having a field day with the trial, fueling the aniti-semitic fervor of the citizens. Jim Conley’s testimony visibly shook the jury. Other factory girls came forward to tell stories of how Frank had “flirted with them.” He was convicted of the crime and sentenced to hang.

At the conclusion of the trial it quickly became obvious that most of the witnesses who testified had lied on the stand. Jim Conley’s testimony was refuted by a witness who came forward linking

Conley himself to the scene of the crime, saying he saw Conley carrying the body of dead Mary Phagan. Legal haggling forced postponement of the hanging a number of times. Frank’s wife Lucille, never doubting her husband’s innocence, finally convinced Georgia governor John Slaton to commute Frank’s sentence to life, so that the murder investigation could be re-opened. Determined to see Frank punished for “his terrible crime,” some 25 men launched an attack on the state prison holding him. They took him by force, and on August 16, 1915, lynched him.

The Trial of Leo Frank

Jason Robert Brown and Alfred Uhry

Jason Robert Brown (Music & Lyrics) has been hailed as “one of Broadway’s smartest and most sophisticated songwriters.” His extraordinary, jubilant theatre music has been heard all over the world, whether in one of the hundreds of productions of his musicals every year, or in his own incendiary live performances. The New York Times refers to Jason as “a leading member of a new generation of composers who embody high hopes for the American musical.” Jason is the composer and lyricist of the musical, The Last Five Years, which was cited as one of Time Magazine's 10 Best of 2001 and won Drama Desk Awards for Best Music and Best Lyrics. Jason won a 1999 Tony Award for his score for Parade, written with Alfred Uhry and directed by Harold Prince, which premiered at Lincoln Center Theatre in December 1998, and subsequently won both the Drama Desk and New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards for Best New Musical. Jason's first musical, Songs for a New World, a theatrical song cycle, played Off-Broadway at the WPA Theatre in the fall of 1995, and has since been seen in more than two hundred productions around the world. His newest musical, 13, was written with Dan Elish and directed by Todd Graff,

premiered this January to rave reviews at Los Angeles's Mark Taper Forum. Jason is the winner of the 2002 Kleban Award for Outstanding Lyrics and the 1996 Gilman & Gonzalez-Falla Foundation Award for Musical Theatre. Jason's songs, including the cabaret standard "Stars and the Moon," have been performed and recorded by Audra McDonald, Betty Buckley, Karen Akers, Renée Fleming, Philip Quast, Jon Hendricks and many others. A phenomenal pianist, arranger, singer, and musician, Jason studied composition at the Eastman School of Music. He now divides his time between Los Angeles, California and Spoleto, Italy. He also currently teaches musical theatre performance and composition at UCLA.

Alfred Uhry (Book) is distinguished as the only American playwright to have won a Pulitzer Prize, an Academy Award, and two Tony Awards. A graduate of Brown University, Uhry began his career as a lyric writer under contract to the late Frank Loesser. He had his first major success with Eudora Welty’s The Robber Bridegroom, which earned him his first Tony nomination. His first play, Driving Miss Daisy, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1988. The film version, starring Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy, won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay in 1990. His next play, Last Night at Ballyhoo, won the New York Outer Critics Circle Award, the Drama League Award, and the 1997 Tony Award. His book for the musical Parade won the Tony Award in 1999. A revised production at the Donmar Warehouse Theatre in London won Mr. Uhry an Olivier Award nomination and went on to Los Angeles where it opened to rave reviews in October, 2009.

His play, Without Walls, starring Laurence Fishburne, opened at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles in 2006. His next play Edgardo Mine, played at the Tyrone Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis in 2006, and his book for Lovemusik, a musical about Kurt Weill and Lotte Lenya ran on Broadway in 2007. It was directed by Harold Prince. For this, Mr. Uhry won another Drama Desk nomination.

Parade was originally directed on Broadway by Harold Prince. The Donmar Warehouse revised production (the version being presented by Paramount Productions) was directed and choreographed by Rob Ashford. PARADE was nominated for nine Tony Awards in 1999, and won for Best Original Score and Best Book. The London revival in 2007 was nominated for seven Olivier Awards including Best New Musical.

The Production Staff

Barry Smoot (Director, Music Director, Lighting Designer) is the Paramount Theatre’s Artistic Director and the founder and Festival Director of the 24fps International Short Film Festival. He is a writer, director, and designer of work for theatre, digital media, and film. His directorial work for Paramount Productions includes The Drowsy Chaperone, The Producers, Jekyll & Hyde, A Little Night Music, Big River, The Civil War, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and the U.S. regional premiere of Adam Guettel’s Myths and Hymns. Barry’s extensive lighting design credits include Ragtime, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Floyd Collins, The Producers, Jekyll & Hyde, Myths and Hymns, Pump Boys and Dinettes, and The Civil War. Last December, he premiered A Texas Christmas Carol for Paramount Productions--an original adaptation of the Charles Dickens Christmas story. A human rights advocate, he avidly supports the use of film and digital media to call attention to global humanitarian issues, and to shrink the gaps between nations, people, and world views.

Betty Hukill (Producer) is the Executive Director for the Historic Paramount Theatre, has been active in Abilene theatre since her arrival in 1979. Her directorial credits for Paramount Productions include Honk!, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Seussical, The Musical, Jr., Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Ragtime, South Pacific, Oklahoma!, Godspell Jr., Aladdin, Jr., and The Music Man. Betty is on the Board of Directors for the Abilene Zoo, Goodwill West Texas and the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau. She is married to Charlie Hukill, professor of Theatre at McMurry University, and has a dog and two cats.

Teri Wilkerson (Choreographer) is the owner of Dance Discovery Studios and the Artistic Director of the Chameleon Performing Arts Company. In addition to creating choreography for her own company, she has also worked extensively for Abilene Christian University, McMurry University, Hardin Simmons University, Abilene High School, Cooper High

School, Wylie High School, and Young Audiences of Abilene. Teri’s work for Paramount Productions includes The Drowsy Chaperone, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Producers, Jekyll & Hyde, Ragtime, South Pacific, Oklahoma!, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, and Swing. Teri is an adjunct professor at Abilene Christian University and Hardin Simmons University.

Gary Varner (Scenic Design) is is a Professor of Theatre at Abilene Christian University where he is responsible for all aspects of technical theatre. He also directs and teaches improvisation and children’s theatre. His design credits include Smokey Joe’s Café and Ragtime at the Paramount Theatre and Jane Eyre, The Hunt, Jekyll and Hyde and Rabbit Hole for ACU. Gary won the Design Excellence Award at American College Theatre Festival for his design of The Hunt. Last summer he directed The Comedy of Errors for the Abilene Shakespeare Festival. Gary was one of the

founding members of the Pollard Theatre in Guthrie, Oklahoma and he has worked as Production manger for the Oklahoma Shakespearean Festival and Creede Repertory Theatre in Creede Colorado.

Richard Transki (Costume Design) was born in England, grew up in San Angelo, Texas, and attended Angelo State University. He is retired from design work for the film industry, costuming for Warner Brothers Studios, Paramount Pictures, CBS Television, the Disney Corporation, and Larry Lessmore Productions. His design credits for Paramount Productions include A Texas Christmas Carol, Disney’s Jungle Book Kids, The Drowsy Chaperone, Godspell, Jr., Seussical, Jr., Aladdin, Jr., The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Producers, and Jekyll & Hyde. Richard has collaborated with Paramount Artistic Director Barry Smoot on a number of projects including And the World Goes Round, Sweeney Todd, and Little Women.

Paramount Productions’ presentation of PARADE is made possible by a staff of professional theatre, music, and visual artists working together in collaboration. Since the first production mounted by this organization in 1993, the theatre has assembled a broad field of theatrical artists and used their talents to mentor and instruct the gifted casts of over thirty-eight major productions.

The Paramount Theatre was built in 1930, at the start of the Great Depression, and is considered one of the landmark theatres of the southwest. Financed by local grocer H.O. Wooten, and designed and built by architect David Castle, the theatre blends spanish, moorish and art deco elements to create a unique performance space. The auditorium is deigned to look like a moorish courtyard at night, complete with a neon-lit ceiling with recessed twinkling stars. Effects projectors from the 1930s add white clouds that slowly pass overhead. The theatre began it’s life as a first run movie house, and part of the Paramount Publix chain. Most of Hollywood’s most beloved films have flickered to life on the Paramount’s giant screen. In 1987, a generous benefactor saved the aging theatre from demolition, financing its restoration and renovating the existing structure to accommodate live theatre as well. Today the landmark facility is home to Paramount Productions, as well as the Paramount Film Series, the Live at the Paramount Concert Series, and the 24fps International Short Film Festival. The theatre is also rented by numerous arts organizations to present live performances, including the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council, the Abilene Opera Association, Abilene Ballet Theatre, the Abilene Community Band, the Celebration Singers, the Abilene Philharmonic Association, and Young Audiences of Abilene.

In 2011, over 43.000 visitors attended events in the historic building.

Marc Sanders (Music Supervisor, pianist) is a collaborative pianist from Albany, Texas. He is staff accompanist at Hardin-Simmons and McMurry Universities, where his performance opportunities have included master classes, undergraduate, graduate, and faculty recitals, as well as accompanying choral ensembles. He is also an active church musician, having held various positions for the past seventeen years. Other projects include work with Abilene Chamber Players, Abilene Community Theatre, Chorus Abilene, NATS, and North Central Texas College. Marc’s work for Paramount Productions includes The Producers, Jekyll & Hyde, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Keith Sproles (Production Stage Manager) was born in New Orleans but came to Texas “as quick as he could.” Keith did his first production on the stage of the Historic Globe Theater in Odessa at the age of six. He has been seen in a number of shows in Abilene including Of Mice and Men, Bus Stop, and, most recently, Panache at Abilene Community Theatre, where he serves on the Board of Directors. This is his first production staff position with Paramount Productions.

Taylor Compton (Technical Director) is the Technical Director for the Paramount Theatre, a position he has held for the past four years. A 2008 graduate of McMurry University, Taylor studied theatre and gained his BFA in Acting and Directing. While there, he worked on over twenty productions and won Best Play in the 2008 TETA Playwrighting Festival. Taylor’s technical supervision includes The Producers, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Drowsy Chaperone, A Texas Christmas Carol and Hairspray (lighting design). Earlier this year, he directed Disney’s The Jungle Book Kids for Paramount Productions. Taylor is married to another McMurry theatre graduate, Hilary who is no stranger to the Paramount stage. They are expecting their first child in October of this year.

The Landmark Paramount Theatre

SETH WOMACK (Leo Frank) is from Justin, Texas, and a senior Musical Theatre major at Abilene Christian University. Seth made his Paramount debut last summer as Aldolfo in The Drowsy Chaperone. At ACU he has been seen as Lun Tha in The King and I, Officer Lightoller in Titanic, and was also a Host for ACU's 2012 Sing-Song Wild at Heart. Seth would like to thank his friends and family for being so awesome.

CARLEE CAGLE (Lucille Frank) is from Arlington, Texas, and holds a BFA in Theatre from ACU. She just completed a semester working at Taylor Elementary as a music aide and is currently working as a camp counselor at ACU Leadership Camps. Carlee plans to move to NYC in the fall to pursue acting on stage and screen. She will be living in the South Bronx and working closely with a ministry called A House on Beekman. You may recognize Carlee from various shows around town, namely Alice Bean in Titanic, Agnes in I Do, I Do, and Muzzy in Thoroughly Modern Millie. She was last seen on the Paramount stage as Ivy in Jekyll & Hyde.

JACE REINHARD (Frankie Epps, Young Soldier) is excited to be making his Paramount debut in such a beautiful show with this talented and wonderful production team! Jace is from Greenville, IL, and he is pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre at Abilene Christian University, where he has appeared as Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance and Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing. Other representative roles include Rapunzel's Prince in Into the Woods (Springfield Municipal Opera), Marius in Les Miserables and Lt. Cable in South Pacific (Greenville High School). Special thanks to his Redeemer and to his awesome family for their unending support!

SARAH OLSON (Mary Phagan) is a sophomore Musical Theatre major at Abilene Christian University from Celeste, TX. Some of her previous credits include Maria in West Side Story, Lady Larkin in Once Upon A Mattress, Laurey Williams in Oklahoma!, and Katie Brown in Calamity Jane. Sarah is ecstatic to be apart of her first Jason Robert Brown musical, and would like to thank her friends and family for the support, Barry for the opportunity, and above all, God, who is the provider and sustainer of all of her abilities. Enjoy the show!

PAIGE SPROLES (Mrs Phagan) is a native of Weatherford, Texas, and has been a secretary at Cooper High School for 8 years, 16 total for the district. Paige has previously appeared at the Paramount as the Chaperone in The Drowsy Chaperone and Lady Beaconsfield in Jekyll & Hyde. You may also recognize her as the 3rd place winner from this year in "Abilene Idol". Paige was the 2010 Texas Karaoke Champ, and had the opportunity to sing at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Paige would like to thank her husband Keith, son Dalton, and all her other family and friends for their encouragement.

DEREK BROWN (Britt Craig) is the Director of Jazz Studies and saxophone instructor at Abilene Christian University. He grew up in western Michigan and earned his Bachelor of Music at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. He received his Master of Music in jazz studies from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He is married to Rachel Brown, also in the show, and is excited to be in his first musical.

The cast of PARADE represents a unique cross-section of artists working in Abilene, Texas and the surrounding areas. In the truest sense a community, these performers represent all three local universities as well other educational institutions, the military, the media, journalism, religion, private enterprise, and, of course, the music, performing, and visual arts community.

The Cast

DAVID OWENS, JR. (Jim Conley) is 29 years old and hails from Atlanta, GA. After serving 8 years proudly in the US Air Force he decided to attend ACU where he is currently getting his bachelors in Marketing. David made his Paramount debut in the cast of The Producers, and was also seen in last summer’s The Drowsy Chaperone. David is the proud parent of an amazing 6 year old son named Dacien.

ROSETTA MOORE (Minola McKnight) is a native Michigander who has performed for Abilene and Big Country audiences since she first called Texas her home in 1980! At the Paramount, Rosetta has been seen in Myths and Hymns, The Civil War, Big River, Ragtime, and Smokey Joe’s Cafe. Rosetta loves to sing, travel, and embrace life! She is passionately involved in church and community music activities, and she feels right at home on the Paramount stage.

ALIVIA SIMMONS (Angela) is an Abilene High School graduate as of May 26, 2012. She has been in over fifteen plays starting in the 6th grade. Performing and serving God are her two biggest passions in life. Alivia will be attending ACU to pursue a career in Musical Theatre. She would like to dedicate this performance to her mother, for all that she does for her.

GEORGE LEVESQUE (Hugh Dorsey) anchors the 5pm news and is news director for KTXS Television. George grew up in Colorado City, and attended McMurry University, graduating in 1996 with a major in theatre. George has done numerous Abilene productions, including playing General Glossop in Jekyll & Hyde and Leo Bloom in The Producers for Paramount Productions. George is married to Sidney Levesque, and has one daughter, Julia.

CALEB ROBINSON (Luther Rosser) is a native of Abilene, and just completed his degree in Theatre Education at Abilene Christian University. Caleb was most recently seen on the Paramount stage as the Man in Chair in The Drowsy Chaperone, and Chip in The 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee. He as also appeared as Corny Collins in Hairspray and Major General Stanley in Pirates of Penzance. When not performing on the stage, you may hear Caleb on your car radio, reading news and discussing classical music for Abilene Public Radio, KACU FM 89.7. Caleb would like to thank his family and friends for their continued love and support.

DOUG LOPACHIN (Tom Watson) has not been seen on the Paramount stage for over two years and is very happy to be back. Doug’s long list of credits for Paramount Productions includes Jekyll & Hyde, South Pacific, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Ragtime, and Hello, Dolly!. He would like to thank Barry Smoot and Betty Hukill for the opportunity to learn and perform this wonderful piece of work. This performance is dedicated to Pierce and Paydin LoPachin, and, most especially, to Julia Siewert..

PHILIP LEE CRAIK (Governor Tom Slaton) has his undergraduate degree in Musical Theory and Composition and Theatre from Hardin Simmons University. He has studied acting in London on a Rotary International Graduate Fellowship, and has graduate degree from Louisiana State University. Since 1985 he has been employed in the theatre department of McMurry University, where he has directed 77 productions (including 32 musicals) and designed another 25. Philip has also developed touring programs for Young Audiences of Abilene, the arts-in-education touring program.

MARY GLOVER (Mrs. Sally Slaton) is an Abilene native who studied theater at UT-Austin and McMurry, where she graduated. After a decade as a lawyer in private practice and with Children's Protective Services, she attended the Episcopal Seminary in Austin and was ordained priest in 2001. She served churches in Amarillo and Independence, MO, before returning to Abilene. Currently the priest, part-time, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, she also works for Mezamiz Coffee House and the Paramount. Prior productions include Joan of Lorraine, The Music Man, Annie, Steel Magnolias, Godspell, and most recently, The Drowsy Chaperone and A Texas Christmas Carol at the Paramount.

CLAUDE WILLIAMS (Newt Lee) is a dancer, writer and choreographer. Born in Gatesville, Texas Claude began staging plays in his home garage using siblings as actors. In high school he was selected as a United States award winner in speech and drama and then studied theater at Paul Quinn University. Claude has appeared in Abilene onstage in such favorites as Inspecting Carol and Hairspray . He is currently employed at Dance Limited as a dance instructor and choreographer. This is his first appearance on the Paramount stage.

GRAYSON ALLRED (Fiddlin’ John) is a native of Abilene, Texas, and a senior Biology major and Theatre minor at Abilene Christian University. Grayson is a veteran of the Texas Army National Guard, and has been seen on the Paramount stage in Jekyll & Hyde, Honk!, and The Drowsy Chaperone. The second half of this summer, he will be going to Ecuador as part of an expedition doing mammal research, headed by Dr. Thomas Lee from Abilene Christian University. He graduates from ACU in December. Grayson is currently part of the Paramount’s technical crew.

SCOT MILLER (Judge Roan) is currently office Manager at his wife's pediatric clinic, Adams Pediatrics. He's a graduate of Hardin-Simmons University, and he taught philosophy at HSU from 1990-2004. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for both Chorus Abilene and the Abilene Community Theatre. Scot has performed on the stages of HSU, MCM, ACU, and ACT. This is his first show on the Paramount stage.

JESS NICOLLS (Iola Stover) is excited to be doing her first show in Abilene. Although a fitness teacher now, Jess graduated from Oklahoma City University in December 2010 with her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Performance. Past favorite roles include Rent (Mimi), A Midsummer Nights Dream (Helena), Footloose (Ariel), and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Sally). She would like to thank her parents for their constant support, her brother Charles for being a horse of a different color, and the other people in her life that keep her sane (you know who you are).

VERITY PRYOR-HARDEN (Monteen) is making her Paramount debut with this show. She graduated from Cooper High School where she twice received the All-Star Cast award in UIL One-Act Play competition. She was seen last summer in McMurry University’s summer musical Hairspray in which she played Penny Pingleton. She will be entering her sophomore year at Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina, a top ten theatre school, where she is a BFA Musical Theatre Major. She would like to thank her parents, Elise and Leland, and her younger brother Nate for letting her go to chase her dreams.

ASHLEY MARKGRAF (Essie) is a senior Musical Theatre major at Abilene Christian University. While at ACU, she has been in four shows including Titanic, The Pirate of Penzance, The King and I, and Emma. She has also just been cast as the lead role of Peggy Sawyer in ACU's 2012 Homecoming Musical 42nd Street. On the side, she enjoys reading, watching Disney movies and crime shows and singing her heart out. She would like to thank her family and friends for always supporting her and helping her toward her lifelong dream!

AMANDA JARUFE (Grace) is a Musical Theatre and Theatre Education Major at ACU. This past year, Amanda played the role of Tuptim in ACU's Homecoming Musical, The King and I, and was most recently seen as Jane Fairfax in ACU's Emma. This summer she will be playing the role of Vivenne in Legally Blonde the Musical at McMurry. She is so blessed to have been a part of Parade, and has enjoyed getting to know the cast, as well as learning the challenging, but exciting music of Jason Robert Brown. She would like to thank her family and friends for always supporting her passion in theatre. Most importantly, she owes it all to the Lord who blessed her with this gift.

CHRISTY JOY WILSON (Liza) is a Sophomore Theatre major at Texas Christian University. At TCU Christy was the narrator in The Vagina Monologues. While at Cooper High School she appeared on stage as Rizzo in Grease and Carmen Burnstien in Curtains, among others. This is Christy's Paramount Productions debut.

RACHEL BROWN (Mrs. Epps) is the Study Abroad Coordinator at Abilene ChristianUniversity. She grew up in Wisconsin and received her BA from Hope College in Holland, MI, where she also met her future husband, Derek (also in the show). She earned her Master of Arts in Christian Ministry from ACU and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in English. She has not done a musical since high school but is excited to be back on the stage.

CAROL JOY WILSON (Mrs. Dorsey) has her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in education from Texas Christian University. Representative stage roles include On Golden Pond (Chelsea), Children of Eden (Eve), and The Sound of Music (Maria). Her husband, Dr. Don Wilson, is presently senior minister of First Christian Church. Carol, who also serves as children’s music and drama director at FCC, is delighted to be making her Paramount debut alongside her daughter, Christy Joy. She wants to thanks the rest of her highly supportive immediate family, and her FCC family. These all are her pride and JOY and obvious gifts from the Lord.

RAMI MORRISON (Officer Ivey) grew up in Israel where he studied music and both ballet and contemporary dance. After high school was accepted into the renowned Batsheva Dance Company in Israel, but chose to join the military instead. After spending three years in the Israeli military, he moved to the United States. He currently lives outside of Abilene with his wife Katie, where he works with horses. This is his return to the stage, and his Paramount debut.

JEREMIAH JOHNSON (Mr. Peavy) is a senior BFA Theatre Performance candidate at Hardin-Simmons University. He has most recently been seen at HSU in A Feast of Snacks and Birds on a Wire. He will be heading to Scotland this August to perform in Birds on a Wire as part of the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh. This is his first appearance with the Paramount Theatre.

BRANDEN LOERA (Officer Starnes) is a sophomore and a BFA Musical Theatre Major at Hardin-Simmons University. Representative roles at HSU include God of Carnage and Attic, and Feast of Snacks. Branden has also performed in Grease, Aladdin, and Guys and Dolls. He can also be seen this summer in Legally Blonde The Musical at McMurry University. Branden was nominated for the Irene Ryan award for God of Carnage, and was a member of the All-State Mixed Choir his senior year in high school.

PETER GABRIEL GARZA (Newsboy) is a junior at Abilene Cooper High School where he is involved in Concert Choir, Red Rhythm and Blues, Chamber Orchestra, Student Council, and Track. He has participated in the Texas All-State choir for two years and has previously appeared in productions through the Paramount, Cooper Theatre Department, and Abilene Performing Arts Company. He studies voice under Dr. Christopher Hollingsworth of Hardin Simmons University, as well as piano through the Frush Music Studio. Peter would like to thank his family and friends for all of their encouragement.

DALLIS SEEKER (Newsboy) just finished his sophomore year at Wylie High School. He has been in several Paramount Productions including: Aladdin, Jr., Godspell, Jr., Honk!, The Drowsy Chaperone, and A Texas Christmas Carol. He also dances with Abilene Performing Arts Company, is a member of the Chameleon Performing Arts Company at Dance Discovery Studios, and participates in theatre at school.

Performance Information and Press/Publicity Links

PARADE Performance Dates and Times: Friday, June 29--7:30 pm;Saturday June 30--7:30 pm; Sunday, July 1--2:00 pm

Paramount Theatre Address: 352 Cypress Street, Abilene, Texas 79601

Paramount Theatre Phone: (325) 676-9620

Ticket Information: Reserved seating at $20, $15, $12 and $10 depending on location

Online Ticket link: http://paramount-abilene.thundertix.com

Paramount Theatre Website: http://www.paramount-abilene.org

Paramount Theatre on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/paramount-abilene

Parade 30sec TV spot: http://youtu.be/KSWbSfb5kMo

Abilene Visitors and Convention Bureau: http://www.abilenevisitors.com

Media Contacts:

Press/Publicity/Advertising: Barry Smoot, Paramount Theatre Artistic Director bsmoot@paramount-abilene.org

Technical: Taylor Compton, Paramount Theatre Technical Director tcompton@paramount-abilene.org

Administrative: Betty Hukill, Paramount Theatre Executive Director bhukill@paramount-abilene.org

Ticketing/Group Sales: Sara McKnight, Paramount Theatre Business Manager smcknight@paramount-abilene.org

Paramount ProductionsComing in 2013: Beauty and the Beast, Jr.

2012: Disney’s Jungle Book Kids, Parade A Texas Christmas Carol

2011: Honk! The Drowsy Chaperone A Texas Christmas Carol (World Premiere)

2010: Godspell, Jr. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

2009: Disney’s Aladdin, Jr. The Producers

2008: Seussical, the Musical, Jr. Jekyll & Hyde

2007: High School Musical, Jr. South Pacific

2006: Bugsy Malone, Jr. SWING!

2005: Grease: The School Edition Smokey Joe’s Cafe

2004: Ragtime

2003: Oklahoma1

2002: The Civil War (US regional premiere) Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

2001: Myths and Hymns (US regional premiere) Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

2000: A Grand Night for Singing Hello, Dolly! A West Texas Christmas Carol

1999: Annie A West Texas Christmas Carol

1998: The Music Man A West Texas Christmas Carol

1997: A Little Night Music (Concert version--US regional premiere) A West Texas Christmas Carol

1996: Forever Plaid A West Texas Christmas Carol (World Premiere)

1995: Paramount on Broadway

1994: The Secret Garden

1993: Cotton Patch Gospel

The Drowsy Chaperone

Jekyll & Hyde

Seussical, The Musical, Jr.

Disneyʼs The Jungle Book Kids

The Producers Smokey Joeʼs Cafe