March, 8, 2019
Cleveland.com
Laura DeMarco
“And, wow, can these 10- and 11-year-olds rock. Especially Leanne Parks as pouty, pint-sized bass player Katie…”
March 6, 2019
Akron Beacon Journal
Kerry Clawson
“Leanne Parks has all the right moves with her cool splits and rock star face as Katie on bass.”
Full Review
PDF of Full Review
January 19, 2019
Broadway World
Kelle Long
“Leanne Parks as Katie rocks the hardest. She has perfected the pout and can put a bass in its place.”
Full Review
PDF of Full Review
January 18, 2019
DC Metro, Washington DC
Em Skow
“The band’s bedrock bassist Katie, played by Leanne Parks, had a rock jam face locked in as she drove the baseline home.”
January 10, 2019
Article in Washington Post
Nelson Pressley
Below is a brief excerpt from an interview that was published by the Washington Post. The links to the full interview and a PDF of the article can be found on the bottom of the this post.
“Parks started piano at 5, and then two years ago signed up at a School of Rock near her family’s home in Long Island, only to find the place awash in girls like her: wanting to sing and play piano. Her dad noticed that bass players were scarce, so Leanne took it up.
“I never wanted to put it down,” Leanne, now 11, says by phone from the show’s tour stop in Toronto. Very quickly, she felt, “this is my calling. I’m very comfortable now putting my fingers on it. I like how it’s the glue of the band, with the beat of the drums.”
November 29, 2018
Mooney On Theater, Toronto
S. Bear Bergman
“Leanne Parks rips it up as Katie who owns the entire situation once someone hands her a bass guitar.”
November 9, 2018
Broadwayworld.com, San Antonio
Kathy Strain
“Leanne Parks plays the part of Katie. What she did on the cello as well as the bass guitar showed how talented she was and that playing the part of Katie was what she was born to do. The facial expressions, the drive and determination she shared, let the audience know that Parks has talent to be reckoned with.”
October 11, 2018
Broadway World, Memphis
Chris Miritello
“Simply put, they (kids) are incredible.…as bass guitarist Katie, Leanne Parks’ puckered lips and furrowed brow are treasures to behold. The kids are electrifying and bring a bolt of excitement the Orpheum stage. Run, don’t walk to go see what they can do.”
October 6, 2018
Daytonlocal.com
Michael Woody
“Though some are shorter than my waist, they possess more talent than is in my entire body. It is absolutely astounding to watch those who weren’t born yet when the 2003 film was released play musical instruments better than some seasoned professionals. There is much to enjoy about ‘School of Rock: The Musical,’ but it’s the kids who steal the show… Furthermore is Katie (Leanne Parks) on bass, who entertains with both her playing and stone-faced expressions.”
October 4, 2018
Broadway World
Jenni Cypher
“…and most notably, Leanne Parks (Katie) the tiny dynamo on bass were phenomenal.”
September 27, 2018
Ottawa Citizen
Lynn Saxberg
“Katie (Leanne Parks), the tiny cellist who becomes a monster bassist, complete with an instrument bigger than her and an intensely serious pouty bass face. She nearly steals the show with her larger-than-life stage presence.”
Full review
PDF of review
September 19, 2018
Lansing City Pulse
David Winkelstern,
“The deafening roars at the end of Wharton Center’s opening show of “School of Rock” were equal to the noises heard at major rock concerts. But instead of established and seasoned musicians, rookie kids were rockin’ the stage…Leanne Parks, in the role of Katie, thumps bass like a pro….And they all pose and strut like real rock superstars.”
September 20, 2018
Lansing State Journal
Bridgette Redman
“Leanne Parks is Katie and while her performance on the bass is superlative, it is her emoting and rock star face that steals the show. She puts on her face and the world belongs to her. It is the perfect combination of bad ass and cute.”
Full Review
PDF of Review
September 12, 2018
Broadwayworld.com
Jeffrey Ellis
“Leanne Parks as Katie (the dour- faced bassist who very nearly steals the show from the rest of the cast via one particularly noteworthy facial expression)”
Full Review
PDF of Review
August 31, 2018
The Column, Fort Worth TX,
Carol M Rice
“Leanne Parks easily transitions from cello to bad-ass bass guitar”
Full Review
PDF of Review