Eric Parker ‘92
All the world’s a stage to an aspiring actor
In the 10 years since Eric Parker earned his
theatre degree from SHU, he’s been across
the country and around the world pursuing his
career as an actor. From California’s American
Academy of Dramatic Arts to regional theatres
in Michigan, Maryland and Florida, to the European tour of “HAIR,” to the CBS TV studios of
“Guiding Light,” Eric has put his acting and singing talents on stage for increasingly enthusiastic audiences.
In his biggest break to date, he appears in Chicago this winter playing the lead role of Che in
the Drury Lane Oak Brook Theatre production
of “Evita,” the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical
about the life of Eva Peron. His performance in
the same role at the Barn Theatre in Augusta,
MI, earned rave reviews in 2000.
Although based in New York, Eric performs
wherever opportunity takes him. He has been a
regular at the Barn Theatre for the past decade.
And he is a periodic guest star at Adrian’s Croswell Opera House, where he has been featured as Eddie in “Do Black Patent Leather
Shoes Really Reflect Up?,” George Bailey in
“A Wonderful Life,” and Jesus in “Jesus Christ
Superstar,” among many shows.
A native of Adrian and son of Bob and Audrey
Parker (retired SHU registrar and faculty respectively), Eric moves easily from musical comedy
and drama, to opera, to straight drama.
Reflections caught up with Eric recently:
REF: How has 9/11 affected the theatre world?
EP: All my close NY friends have checked in
safe and sound but everyone seems to know
someone who’s missing. With the tourist traffic
sharply down, things don’t look good for the
NY entertainment business. I believe musical
theatre in New York is turning over a new leaf,
with the Disney cartoon influence and the revivals. Producers are betting on old warhorses like
“42nd Street” and “Music Man” over more challenging fare, and I think 9/11 has hastened the
shift. I guess I can’t blame them. When they’re
carting away rubble just down the street, who
wants to pay $100 to sit and be depressed for
three hours? Grosses improved during the holiday season, but like everything else, the business in New York will never be the same.
REF: Are there dream parts you’d like to play?
EP: I’d like to play Judas in “Jesus Christ Superstar” for a change and do Claude in “HAIR”
once more before I get too old. I always wanted
Grosse Pointe Farms. Son Tanner
was born in March 2001. Cris
teaches in the Lake Shore Public
Schools system.
to sing Tony in “West Side Story” but my hairline
has ruled that one out, I guess. I played Cornelius in “Hello, Dolly!” back at Adrian High School
and always wanted to do that one again. As for
straight stuff, I’ve always wanted to play Hamlet.
Of course, I’d have to win the lottery and put the
darn thing on myself. And give away tickets. I
can’t imagine anyone actually paying to spend
four hours in utter agony.
REF: How did Siena Heights prepare you for
this career path?
EP: I can gush about the faculty; they were all
so different. Doug Miller taught me the importance of craft: that it isn’t just reading lines
or slapping together some wood or speaking
clearly that makes a production complete. Trudy
McSorley instilled in me a basic love of the
craft without that, there’s no reason to produce
a script. Bob Hawley brought a warning about
how difficult a career in theater could be, and
in a way, that lesson might have been the best
one of all. I know I never gave any of them the
thanks they deserve, but their balance provided
the department of my era a complete Siena
experience. And with Mark DiPietro, I understand it’s even richer. I’m jealous! I’m also really
pleased to see the improvements to PAC.
The Reviews:
“Eric Parker...(is) the key reason for the success
of ‘Evita.’ Parker fills the role of Che, roughly
based on legendary revolutionary Che Guevara. On stage almost the entire time, Parker
shows off his incredible talents and vast range.
His singing performance is unparalleled.”
Battle Creek Enquirer, July 2000
“’Jesus Christ Superstar’ is headlined in spectacular fashion by Equity actors Eric Parker as
Jesus and Scott Hopkins as Judas… Parker
balances perfectly Jesus’ humanity and divinity
and is mesmerizing to watch.”
The Adrian Telegram, May 9, 2000
Jennifer Brown Kaster ‘91
works in inside sales at Wacker
Engineered Ceramics. Jennifer
and husband Carl, professor of
biology at SHU, live in Blissfield
with children Charles and Abigail.
Emma Gene Peters ‘91, ‘93/MA
of Hutto, TX teaches US history
at Temple College and loves the
Southwest!
Lisa Livingston Rathke ‘91
moved to Central Lake after marrying dentist husband Brian. They
keep very busy with two daughters Maggie, 2 1