North Central presents Tony Award-winning musical “Parade”

North Central College presents the Broadway musical “Parade,” winner of two Tony Awards and six Drama Desk Awards, Nov. 13-16. The musical is based on the book by Alfred Uhry with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown.

Four performances will be presented at 8 p.m. on Nov. 13, at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14 and 15 and at 2 p.m. on Nov. 16 in North Central’s Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave. Tickets are $15/adults and $10/students and senior citizens; call the North Central College Box Office at 630-637-SHOW (7469) or visit northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.

Directed by Matt Boresi with musical direction by Linda Madonia, the musical centers around the tragic, true story of the 1913 trial and lynching of a man wrongly accused of murder. Leo Frank, a Brooklyn-born Jewish man living in Atlanta, was falsely accused of killing a young girl working in the factory he managed. Only the desperate campaigning of Frank’s wife Lucille stood between Frank and a storm of political opportunism, rabid reporters and bloodthirsty xenophobes. “Parade” is a heartbreaking love story and fascinating study of bigotry and passion that leaves audiences stunned.

Boresi is a 1997 alumnus and adjunct assistant professor of theatre at North Central College and director of the College’s Summer Light Opera and Musical Theatre Workshops. He is the artistic director for musical theatre at Music Institute of Chicago and adjunct faculty at Carthage College. Boresi’s original chamber opera “Blue Viola” with composer Peter Hilliard will be work-shopped in January at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., and its world premiere in April at UrbanArias in Arlington, Va. Boresi also writes the comedy blog “White Dad Problems” and the column “Viva Daddy” for Chicago Parent magazine.

The cast features (role, actor, town, year, major):

Leo Frank: Nik Kmiecik of West Chicago, a senior majoring in musical theatre
Lucille Frank: Chelsea Ward of Naperville, a senior majoring in musical theatre
Jim Conley/Riley: Aronzo Traylor II of Chicago, a junior majoring in musical theatre
Newt Lee: Steve Henson of Lemont, a junior majoring in speech communication
Mary Phagan: Jesek West of Cerro Gordo, Ill., a senior majoring in musical theatre
Frankie Epps/Young Solider: Steven Beemsterboer of New Lenox, a freshman majoring in musical theatre
Hugh Dorsey: Sean Michael Mohler of Machesney Park, a senior majoring in musical theatre
Britt Craig/Governor Slaton: Cameron Sherrill of St. Charles, a freshman majoring in theatre
Tom Watson: John Jack Lindberg of St. Charles, a freshman majoring in musical theatre
Judge Roan/Old Soldier: Joshua Lahey of Orland Park, a sophomore majoring in organizational communication
Minola McKnight: Brianna Perry of Plainfield, a junior majoring in musical theatre
Angela: Jacari Campbell of Darien, a senior majoring in theatre
Luther Rosser: Abram Vences of Berwyn, a senior majoring in music and musical theatre
Mrs. Phagen/Sally Slaton: Rachel Rodewald of Hampshire, Ill., a sophomore majoring in musical theatre
Iola: Elise Floss of Willow Springs, a senior majoring in musical theatre
Essie: Becca Sheehan of Hinsdale, a junior majoring in musical theatre
Monteen: Jordan DePhillips of Plainfield, a freshman majoring in musical theatre

Click here to read the Chicago Tribune’s preview of “Parade.”

North Central College offers majors in theatre or musical theatre and a minor in dance. A full range of acting and dance classes is available, as well as opportunities to direct a full-length production. Students of all majors can participate in musical and nonmusical performances, actor showcases and one-act plays and performances in the College’s four theatre venues. Full-time professors and active professionals who are artist-teachers serve as faculty.