Broadway Community Joins Together to Honor Lost Performer Parker Leikam

Sometimes ever the brightest stars don't get their chance to shine. On March 23rd, the world of theatre lost yet another uprising star. Parker Leikam, an 18 year old senior at South Jefferson High School in Adams, New York, was killed in a head on car collision only two blocks from his home. Police reported that the other driver tried to pass a vehicle in front of him, entering a no passing zone, and crashing into Leikam's minivan.

Leikam was a musical theatre aficionado as well as a football player. He had recently portrayed the role of Beast in his high school production of Beauty and the Beast. His father recalls that "he was a straight A student, musician, singer, actor, theater geek and openly gay football player who could do the splits with his 6'3" 300-pound frame."

Leikam's family has been asking those of the community to post a picture of them wearing a bow tie to honor their son and his story using #BowTiesForParker. They are also asking those posting pictures to use #EllenForParker in attempts to draw the attention of Ellen DeGeneres. The family is hoping that Ellen will help tell the world about Leikam's story and journey.

Many members of the Broadway community have joined in on posting pictures to honor Leikam, including Ben Cook, Terrence Man, and Tim Federle of Tuck Everlasting, Steve Blanchard and the cast of the national tour of Newsies, and members of Les Miserables, An American in Paris and more. To help join in on honoring Leikam, make sure to post a picture wearing a bow tie using both #BowTiesForParker and #EllenForParker. Leikam's father, in a letter to DeGeneres, writes, ""I'm not asking for money or trips, just a bow tie and to tell his story ... His mom and I need this. Please."