Cypress Woods Hs Student, Alumna Cast in Broadway Musical Parade
Cypress Woods High School senior Erin Doyle and Class of 2016 graduate Ashlyn Maddox were recently cast in the Broadway musical Parade.
The musical, which first premiered on Broadway in 1998, tells the true story of Leo Frank, a Jewish man who was wrongfully accused and convicted of the murder of a 13-year-old girl in 1913. The show received nine Tony Award nominations in 1999, winning two for book and score.
A nationwide open casting call was put out for the part of Mary Phagan. Doyle, who is a personal fan of Parade, was encouraged by her older sister to audition for the role. Doyle submitted a virtual audition and received an invitation for an in-person callback in New York City. Three days after her callback, Doyle was offered the part.
As like Doyle, Maddox is no stranger to professional musical theatre. She’s starred as “Dorothy” in the Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts production of Wizard of Oz, “Zaneeta” in the Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts production of The Music Man and most recently was cast as “Jane Doe” in the McCarter Theatre Center production of Ride the Cyclone.
“This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime moment to have a former student, Ashlyn, and a current student, Erin, in the same show on Broadway at the New York City Center,” said Toby Drake, Cypress Woods head theatre director. “I am so proud that they are and will always be honorary members of Troupe 7050 of Cypress Woods High School. They are proof that going the extra degree can make all the difference. 212! Parade!”
Rehearsals for the weeklong performance began on Oct. 17 in New York City. The revived musical features Ben Platt, Micaela Diamond and Gaten Matarazzo and will be hosted at the New York City Center Nov. 1-6.
Visit the New York City Center website for more information.
