Leanne Parks
Birth Place: Boston
Latest News on Leanne Parks:
Photo Flash: THE ADDAMS FAMILY Haunts Broadway Workshop (Feb 12, 2020)
BWW Review: SCHOOL OF ROCK is Rocking the Eccles Theater (May 29, 2019)
BWW Review: SCHOOL OF ROCK at the Paramount - A Muffled, Mugging, Mess ... With Cute Kids (May 15, 2019)
Photo Flash: THE ADDAMS FAMILY Haunts Broadway Workshop (Feb 12, 2020)
BWW Review: SCHOOL OF ROCK is Rocking the Eccles Theater (May 29, 2019)
BWW Review: SCHOOL OF ROCK at the Paramount - A Muffled, Mugging, Mess ... With Cute Kids (May 15, 2019)
BIO
Born in Boston, and having lived in two countries and six states by the age of 10, Leanne is currently the Rockin bass player “Katie” on the First National Tour of School of Rock. A piano player since the age of 5, and a rockin bass player for the two years prior to the national tour, Leanne loves performing onstage every night and practicing her bass every day. Leanne writes a weekly blog describing her experience of touring. Check out her blog at leanneparks.com
Photos
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News
Photo Flash: THE ADDAMS FAMILY Haunts Broadway Workshop
On Sunday, February 9th, Broadway Workshop presented an all new pilot production of THE ADDAMS FAMILY Younger@Part, in a new thirty-minute edition. Students in the production had the opportunity to create their roles in a studio setting, which culminated in a presentation at The Ailey Studios. The Studio Workshop program starred a cast of twenty talented young students, and was directed by Cassie Okenka (School of Rock, Wicked), choreographed by Halle Mastroberardino, with musical direction by Sarah Statler, and was produced by Marc Tumminelli and Sarah Glugatch.
On Sunday, February 9th, Broadway Workshop presented an all new pilot production of THE ADDAMS FAMILY Younger@Part, in a new thirty-minute edition. Students in the production had the opportunity to create their roles in a studio setting, which culminated in a presentation at The Ailey Studios. The Studio Workshop program starred a cast of twenty talented young students, and was directed by Cassie Okenka (School of Rock, Wicked), choreographed by Halle Mastroberardino, with musical direction by Sarah Statler, and was produced by Marc Tumminelli and Sarah Glugatch.
BWW Review: SCHOOL OF ROCK is Rocking the Eccles Theater
The national tour of SCHOOL OF ROCK, featuring a remarkable cast of child rock stars, is funny, hopeful, and a head-banging good time.
The national tour of SCHOOL OF ROCK, featuring a remarkable cast of child rock stars, is funny, hopeful, and a head-banging good time.
BWW Review: SCHOOL OF ROCK at the Paramount - A Muffled, Mugging, Mess ... With Cute Kids
Say what you want about Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber but at least he's consistent. Consistently borrowing from others as is evident in the most recent offering from the Paramount Theatre, 'his' musical version of the 2003 movie 'The School of Rock'. And while it has adorable kids, absolutely shredding it with their vocals and musical chops on stage, it also has utterly forgettable and repetitious songs (at least the ones actually written by Webber and lyricist Glenn Slater) and a lead who takes mugging to a whole new, annoying level.
Say what you want about Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber but at least he's consistent. Consistently borrowing from others as is evident in the most recent offering from the Paramount Theatre, 'his' musical version of the 2003 movie 'The School of Rock'. And while it has adorable kids, absolutely shredding it with their vocals and musical chops on stage, it also has utterly forgettable and repetitious songs (at least the ones actually written by Webber and lyricist Glenn Slater) and a lead who takes mugging to a whole new, annoying level.
Portland's Keller Auditorium Presents SCHOOL OF ROCK: THE MUSICAL
Broadway legend Andrew Lloyd Webber's high-octane Broadway and West End hit School of Rock - The Musical is coming to Portland's Keller Auditorium from May 21 - 26.
Broadway legend Andrew Lloyd Webber's high-octane Broadway and West End hit School of Rock - The Musical is coming to Portland's Keller Auditorium from May 21 - 26.
SCHOOL OF ROCK Comes To The Paramount, May 14
Broadway legend Andrew Lloyd Webber's high-octane Broadway and West End hit School of Rock - The Musical is coming to Seattle's Paramount Theatre from May 14 - 19.
Broadway legend Andrew Lloyd Webber's high-octane Broadway and West End hit School of Rock - The Musical is coming to Seattle's Paramount Theatre from May 14 - 19.
BWW Review: SCHOOL OF ROCK at Times Union Performing Arts Center
Class is in session at the School of Rock and they're teaching Jacksonville all about rock-n-roll! The musical featuring music from Tony Award winner Andrew Lloyd Webber, is based on the 2003 movie School of Rock. The musical follows a man, Dewey Finn (Merritt David Janes), as he impersonates his best friend Ned Schneebly as a substitute teacher at Horace Green. When Dewey realizes he is in way over his head, he hears his students playing classical music. He decides he will teach them about rock-n-roll, and they will compete in 'The Battle of the Bands.' The musical displays amazing music, a great story, and life lessons for everyone to take away.
Class is in session at the School of Rock and they're teaching Jacksonville all about rock-n-roll! The musical featuring music from Tony Award winner Andrew Lloyd Webber, is based on the 2003 movie School of Rock. The musical follows a man, Dewey Finn (Merritt David Janes), as he impersonates his best friend Ned Schneebly as a substitute teacher at Horace Green. When Dewey realizes he is in way over his head, he hears his students playing classical music. He decides he will teach them about rock-n-roll, and they will compete in 'The Battle of the Bands.' The musical displays amazing music, a great story, and life lessons for everyone to take away.
SCHOOL OF ROCK: THE MUSICAL Coming to San Jose's Center for the Performing Arts
Broadway legend Andrew Lloyd Webber's high-octane Broadway and West End hit School of Rock - The Musical is coming to San Jose's Center for the Performing Arts (255 S. Almaden Blvd.) from Tuesday, June 4 through Sunday, June 9, 2019.
Broadway legend Andrew Lloyd Webber's high-octane Broadway and West End hit School of Rock - The Musical is coming to San Jose's Center for the Performing Arts (255 S. Almaden Blvd.) from Tuesday, June 4 through Sunday, June 9, 2019.
BWW Review: Thoroughly Delightful SCHOOL OF ROCK at PPAC
The story of SCHOOL OF ROCK is a fairly simple one-- a somewhat aimless manchild gets a job substitute teaching, and because he doesn't really know how to actually teach subjects like math and science, he instead focuses on teaching the students how to play rock instruments so they can compete in the Battle of the Bands. What really makes this work as a stage musical is that in adapting it from the screen version, book writer Julian Fellowes didn't change too much. The story follows the film pretty exactly, and the ending is 100% predictable, and that's a very good thing. This show is all about the musical skills of some incredibly talented young performers, and that is more than enough.
The story of SCHOOL OF ROCK is a fairly simple one-- a somewhat aimless manchild gets a job substitute teaching, and because he doesn't really know how to actually teach subjects like math and science, he instead focuses on teaching the students how to play rock instruments so they can compete in the Battle of the Bands. What really makes this work as a stage musical is that in adapting it from the screen version, book writer Julian Fellowes didn't change too much. The story follows the film pretty exactly, and the ending is 100% predictable, and that's a very good thing. This show is all about the musical skills of some incredibly talented young performers, and that is more than enough.
BWW Review: SCHOOL OF ROCK - THE MUSICAL: From Brainiacs to Musical Maniacs
SCHOOL OF ROCK - THE MUSICAL is bursting with kids, all of them bursting with talent. Based on the 2003 movie starring Jack Black, the stage version is the brainchild of Andrew Lloyd Webber, a guy who knows a thing or two about creating successful musicals. Nominated for four 2016 Tony Awards, the show ran for more than three years on Broadway, a little over a year in London, and the national tour has been on the road since September, 2017. It's a feel good musical with a happy ending, something to lighten up the winter doldrums.
SCHOOL OF ROCK - THE MUSICAL is bursting with kids, all of them bursting with talent. Based on the 2003 movie starring Jack Black, the stage version is the brainchild of Andrew Lloyd Webber, a guy who knows a thing or two about creating successful musicals. Nominated for four 2016 Tony Awards, the show ran for more than three years on Broadway, a little over a year in London, and the national tour has been on the road since September, 2017. It's a feel good musical with a happy ending, something to lighten up the winter doldrums.
BWW Review: SCHOOL OF ROCK, Well, Rocks at Clowes Memorial Hall
SCHOOL OF ROCK is a musical about rebellion, the mantra of "sticking it to The Man", of children finding their voice in a controlled and advantaged setting and finding their courage to rise up.
SCHOOL OF ROCK is a musical about rebellion, the mantra of "sticking it to The Man", of children finding their voice in a controlled and advantaged setting and finding their courage to rise up.
BWW Review: SCHOOL OF ROCK THE MUSICAL at National Theatre
Every kid with a performer's heart deserves to experience three things in their childhood: access to an incredible arts program, a passionate mentor, and a really great Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. For me, that was the Springfield (Missouri) Little Theatre, Beth D., and The Phantom of the Opera. I wish for all of today's youth to find the arts and an inspiring mentor. As for Webber for this generation, there is School of Rock The Musical, which actually touches on all of the above. The tour is visiting the National Theatre in Washington, DC this month and packs the biggest dreams and highest professionalism into the tiniest bodies.
Every kid with a performer's heart deserves to experience three things in their childhood: access to an incredible arts program, a passionate mentor, and a really great Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. For me, that was the Springfield (Missouri) Little Theatre, Beth D., and The Phantom of the Opera. I wish for all of today's youth to find the arts and an inspiring mentor. As for Webber for this generation, there is School of Rock The Musical, which actually touches on all of the above. The tour is visiting the National Theatre in Washington, DC this month and packs the biggest dreams and highest professionalism into the tiniest bodies.
BWW Review: SCHOOL OF ROCK THE MUSICAL Brings a Rocking Time To Broadway Grand Rapids, With It's Impressive Young Musicians!
School of Rock - The Musical is based on the movie by the same name originally staring Jack Black is currently playing at DeVos Performance Hall until January 13thin Grand Rapids. Andrew Lloyd Webber added some songs and made it a musical. One part that people find hard to believe is that the kids in the show must be able to play the instruments live. The kids can sing and dance, but it is taken to another level when they are playing instruments better than most adults can perform live on stage, show after show, some of them learning their instruments in only a few years or specifically for their audition for this show!
School of Rock - The Musical is based on the movie by the same name originally staring Jack Black is currently playing at DeVos Performance Hall until January 13thin Grand Rapids. Andrew Lloyd Webber added some songs and made it a musical. One part that people find hard to believe is that the kids in the show must be able to play the instruments live. The kids can sing and dance, but it is taken to another level when they are playing instruments better than most adults can perform live on stage, show after show, some of them learning their instruments in only a few years or specifically for their audition for this show!
Casting Announced For SCHOOL OF ROCK D.C. Premiere
Casting has been announced for the Washington, D.C. premiere of Broadway legend Andrew Lloyd Webber's high-octane Broadway and West End hit School of Rock - The Musical, coming to the National Theatre for a limited engagement from January 16 - 27, 2019.
Casting has been announced for the Washington, D.C. premiere of Broadway legend Andrew Lloyd Webber's high-octane Broadway and West End hit School of Rock - The Musical, coming to the National Theatre for a limited engagement from January 16 - 27, 2019.
BWW Review: Continued Education at Overture Center with SCHOOL OF ROCK
Complete with lights and haze machine, Andrew Lloyd Weber's School of Rock, opens with the fictitious Band, No Vacancy, singing "I'm Too Hot for You". As the super cool rockers do their thing, rock-god-wanna-be Dewey Finn (Merrit David James), super un-cool by comparison, does his. This results in him being forced out of the band.
Complete with lights and haze machine, Andrew Lloyd Weber's School of Rock, opens with the fictitious Band, No Vacancy, singing "I'm Too Hot for You". As the super cool rockers do their thing, rock-god-wanna-be Dewey Finn (Merrit David James), super un-cool by comparison, does his. This results in him being forced out of the band.
BWW Interview: Leanne Parks of SCHOOL OF ROCK - THE MUSICAL at Overture Center
Rocking the roofs off theatres across the country are a group of mega talented kids who have traded their time in the schoolroom to an adventure touring the country. Leanne Parks plays Katie, the classically trained cellist turned bass guitar genius.
Rocking the roofs off theatres across the country are a group of mega talented kids who have traded their time in the schoolroom to an adventure touring the country. Leanne Parks plays Katie, the classically trained cellist turned bass guitar genius.
BWW Review: SCHOOL OF ROCK at Theater League
Audiences at 'School Of Rock, The Musical' (now playing at the Kansas City Music Hall) are in for an evening of fun. This production is pure entertainment highlighted by a dozen songs from the reigning King of musical theater, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. 'School Of Rock' onstage offers a lot to admire and much to enjoy including a ridiculously talented cast of mostly pre-teenagers.
Audiences at 'School Of Rock, The Musical' (now playing at the Kansas City Music Hall) are in for an evening of fun. This production is pure entertainment highlighted by a dozen songs from the reigning King of musical theater, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. 'School Of Rock' onstage offers a lot to admire and much to enjoy including a ridiculously talented cast of mostly pre-teenagers.
BWW Review: SCHOOL OF ROCK at the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio
SCHOOL OF ROCK had its first success as a movie starring Jack Black and everyone routed for the underdog, Dewey Finn, as he fumbled his way through life. Fast forward to 2015 and SCHOOL OF ROCK becomes a rock musical on Broadway with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater and a book by Julian Fellowes. It's still based on the life of underdog, Dewey Finn as he fumbles his way through life.
SCHOOL OF ROCK had its first success as a movie starring Jack Black and everyone routed for the underdog, Dewey Finn, as he fumbled his way through life. Fast forward to 2015 and SCHOOL OF ROCK becomes a rock musical on Broadway with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater and a book by Julian Fellowes. It's still based on the life of underdog, Dewey Finn as he fumbles his way through life.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's SCHOOL OF ROCK to Jam in Madison
Broadway legend Andrew Lloyd Webber's high-octane Broadway and West End hit SCHOOL OF ROCK - THE MUSICAL coming to Madison's Overture Center for the Arts Tuesday, Nov. 20 - Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018.
Broadway legend Andrew Lloyd Webber's high-octane Broadway and West End hit SCHOOL OF ROCK - THE MUSICAL coming to Madison's Overture Center for the Arts Tuesday, Nov. 20 - Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018.
Photo Flash: Check Out New Photos from the National Tour of SCHOOL OF ROCK
Take a new look at the national tour of School of Rock - The Musical!
Take a new look at the national tour of School of Rock - The Musical!
BWW Review: SCHOOL OF ROCK at The Orpheum
There is a moment during the closing scene of Andrew Lloyd Webber's School of Rock when the show transforms from a mere crowd pleasing musical, to a pure and unadulterated celebration. Having witnessed the young students of Horace Green Preparatory School fully evolve from disenfranchised, rule-following and generally unhappy children, to confident rock stars willing to 'stick it to the man,' the audience cannot help but leap to its feet and join the party at the top of Mount Rock. More than a local battle of the bands, it is a celebration of the importance of arts education, the power of inspiring teachers, the joys of finding one's voice, and of the mind-blowing capacity for so much talent to exist in such small bodies and at such an early age. Judging by the standing ovation that began before and continued throughout the curtain call, it is clear that the Orpheum audience was fully invested in these young characters, and that School of Rock had therefore done its job. Indeed, this culminating scene is the ultimate payoff that makes the two and a half hours that precede it entirely worth the investment. The only disappointment was that there was no after party on Beale Street. Armed with their instruments and boundless talent, something tells me that the students of Horace Green Preparatory School could most certainly have brought down the house.
There is a moment during the closing scene of Andrew Lloyd Webber's School of Rock when the show transforms from a mere crowd pleasing musical, to a pure and unadulterated celebration. Having witnessed the young students of Horace Green Preparatory School fully evolve from disenfranchised, rule-following and generally unhappy children, to confident rock stars willing to 'stick it to the man,' the audience cannot help but leap to its feet and join the party at the top of Mount Rock. More than a local battle of the bands, it is a celebration of the importance of arts education, the power of inspiring teachers, the joys of finding one's voice, and of the mind-blowing capacity for so much talent to exist in such small bodies and at such an early age. Judging by the standing ovation that began before and continued throughout the curtain call, it is clear that the Orpheum audience was fully invested in these young characters, and that School of Rock had therefore done its job. Indeed, this culminating scene is the ultimate payoff that makes the two and a half hours that precede it entirely worth the investment. The only disappointment was that there was no after party on Beale Street. Armed with their instruments and boundless talent, something tells me that the students of Horace Green Preparatory School could most certainly have brought down the house.
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