Adreinne Walker - (Paradice)
In 2013, I was afforded the pleasure of working at the Towle Theater with Jeff and Kevin on their production of Brooklyn, the Musical. I was so excited to be a part of this production because it was my first chance at a principal role, and it was a meaty one. Paradice is feisty and witty and larger than life. Paradice is like my spirit animal on the best day of my life when my hair looks great, I’m in excellent voice, and I had the best comeback to give that guy or girl that pissed me off that day. She is everything I wish I could be. Confidence personified. And Towle Theater offered me a chance to become her during the summer of 2013.
What I remember most about my time at the Towle, other than getting a chance to rock out to Paradice’s incredible show stopping tunes, was the kindness that Jeff and Kevin extended to me throughout my time there. I was traveling by CTA and Metra every weekend to do the show, and Jeff and Kevin offered their home to me every weekend so that I could make it to the theatre for our Sunday performance. They treated me like family. We sat up and talked and really got to know each other. We became friends. That’s what it’s like at the Towle Theater, you become family.
FAST FORWARD
THE LION KING - BROADWAY
THE LION KING - BROADWAY
Since my debut at the Towle, I’ve done a few shows regionally in the Chicago theatre circuit and I even got to do a few other principal roles. My favorite credits are The Color Purple (Mercury Theatre), Porgy & Bess, Agamemnon and Iphigenia in Aulis (Court Theatre), and Rent and Hair (Paramount Theatre). I was able to get a talent agent shortly after I worked at the Towle, which has helped my career tremendously. Don’t get me wrong, everything wasn’t smooth sailing. I have a Master’s of Music degree in vocal performance and once I completed that degree, I decided to pursue musical theatre instead of opera, so I had to make a complete shift! It wasn’t easy. I worked a lot of “survival jobs” like Starbucks, and Instacart, and hosting at restaurants and waiting tables. But it all eventually paid off.
I currently live in New York with my husband Austin. We relocated here in 2016 so that I could start my new job as Nala in The Lion King on Broadway. I took a break from The Lion King in 2019 to play Hattie in the Broadway revival of Kiss Me Kate, and it was a special treat to be in the presence of Kelli O’Hara every night. She is the real deal, y’all. I am currently back at The Lion King and will be there until July of 2021.
KISS ME KATE - BROADWAY
Broadway along with all major forms of entertainment that require a live audience, was the first to be hit with the Covid-19 shut down. I went to work on a Wednesday for a two-show day, and that was the last time I set foot in the Minksoff Theatre. It has been challenging to stay creative and focused, or even positive during this time. But we work at it every day. In July, I’m happy to announce that I’ll be launching a video/blog series called 32 BAR CUT on my website www.adriennemwalker.com. The series will feature a short blog and then video of 32- bar cuts of my favorite audition songs. I’m really proud of this series, because it encourages me to keep singing, and learning and growing and sharing. And you better believe Paradice makes an appearance a couple of times!
Michael Carey - (Street Singer)
My first foray into the Towle was the fulfillment of something I had thought about for years. Acting on stage was something I had very little experience in doing. Sixth grade, “HMS Pinafore” and then one play in high school with a non-speaking part. Can’t even remember the name of the play. However, for some reason, the desire to be on stage was always there. Maybe because I enjoyed Speech Team Competitions so much.
The desire to perform on stage came up in conversation one day at work. I was told that the Towle was having auditions for Urinetown, The Musical that summer. Part of the audition was to sing a song. Right!
I didn’t expect to get a part but I made them laugh during my read so I figured it couldn’t have been all bad. When I got the word that I was going to be the Senator, I was very excited and Terrified! It was an amazing time. The cast was talented and we had a blast! Most importantly, I met amazing people and developed friendships that will last a lifetime.
The second show came quite by accident for all of us I think. I wasn’t expecting it they probably didn’t expect to see me clowning around on stage at our little Harding Talent Show. When they suggested I should consider auditioning for Brooklyn, I thought, why not! So, I did. The idea of singing solos was a bit frightening but if they thought I could do it…one thing for sure, I was going to do everything in my power not to let you down or embarrass myself. Elizabeth gave me the confidence to sing and stretched me beyond what I thought was possible. It was an honor to be on that stage with those talented artists. Every night we performed was an amazing journey that I will never forget. Especially the night I blanked on my line. I didn’t know what to do so I did nothing for what seemed like an eternity before what I needed to say showed up and kept me from having to break out in a song and dance.
Two great compliments that I received after Brooklyn that I will never forget. At our Cast Dinner, Kevin told me that I was a great storyteller and one of our amazing cast members told that she enjoyed watching me grow on stage. To me, that meant that something I thought I was pretty good at turned out ok. It also meant that working hard paid off and I was better at the end than at the beginning.
FAST FORWARD
Urinetown and Brooklyn are awesome and unforgettable chapters in my life. Performing at the Towle was the fulfillment of a dream, at least partially. I would still love to co-star with Denzel and Halle but that might not happen. The Towle? Yep, that happened, and I am grateful to have been blessed with that opportunity.
Since retiring from education, my wife and I opened I AM POPCORN in Munster, IN. Stop by and say Hi.