Madison Claire Parks

Madison Claire Parks is a third generation performer. Her mother is Broadway actress and star of Phantom of the Opera, Karen Culliver. Her father is composer Garrett Parks, son of Madison’s grandmother, Broadway and MGM film star Betty Garrett and her grandfather, Academy award nominated actor, Larry Parks.

Hailed by the LA Times for her “pitch-perfect soprano” and “Broadway-caliber belt,” she has established herself as a prominent force for the next generation of classical leading ladies.

Madison recently completed her almost two year run with over 700 performances in the ensemble of Broadway National Tour of WICKED, in which she also understudied Glinda.

Off-Broadway, Maddy starred in over 400 performances as Luisa, in the historic production of THE FANTASTICKS.

She starred as Katherine Talbot in Lerner and Loewe’s THE DAY BEFORE SPRING at The York Theatre Company, and as Genevieve in Stephen Schwartz’s THE BAKER’S WIFE at J2 Spotlight at Theatre Row, singing the iconic “Meadowlark.”

Maddy has also starred in classic roles such as:

Nellie Forbush in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s SOUTH PACIFIC at the Rubicon Theatre

Sarah Brown in GUYS & DOLLS at Musical Theatre West, and Theatre Under The Stars,

Laurey Williams in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s OKLAHOMA! at North Shore Music Theatre, and Musical Theatre West

Lilli Vanessi/Kate in KISS ME KATE at The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina.

Doralee Rhodes in 9to5: THE MUSICAL at Musical Theatre West

Cinderella in INTO THE WOODS at Musical Theatre West,

Clara Johnson in THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA at The California Center for the Arts in Escondido,

Sibella in A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER at Theatre Squared,

Portia in SOMETHING ROTTEN! at Musical Theatre West

Madison is a frequent guest artist with orchestras and symphonies all across the country. She has performed with the Rochester Philharmonic, the Nashville Symphony, The Florida Orchestra, Grant Park Orchestra and Music Festival in Chicago, and many more.

Madison dedicates her work to her grandmother, MGM Star Betty Garret

Chris Hunter

Chris Hunter is an actor and singer working between New York and Los Angeles, whose credits span both musical theater and opera.

Chris’s recent musical theater credits include:

Anthony in Sweeney Todd at La Mirada Theatre Directed by Jason Alexander

Joe in The Most Happy Fella at North Coast Repertory Theatre

Les Misérables at The Muny

Ragtime at The Moonlight Amphitheater

Max Van Horn and Stuart/U/S Dorothy in Tootsie at The Moonlight Amphitheater and Maine State Theatre respectively.

His recent opera credits include:

Anthony in Sweeney Todd with Pacific Opera Project,

Franky/Ferrando in Così fan tutte at East Wing of the Broad/Salastina

As Orpheus in Orpheus at LA Opera Connects

The Magician in The Consul at Angel’s Vocal Arts

Lost in the Stars at LA Chamber Orchestra

Zuniga/Don José cover in La Tragédie du Carmen at the Seaglass Theater Company

Tenor soloist on the album Fragile, Certain Songs by Phillip White.

A classically trained vocalist, Chris holds a Master of Music and Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance, from Boston University and UCLA respectively.

He serves as Vocal Director for the Musical Theater Department at the LA County High School for the Arts, where he has been on faculty since 2018, and teaches at UCLA’s Summer Arts Conservatory. He has also music directed for San Diego Musical Theater, and Downtown Repertory Theater.

Chris also maintains a private voice studio. You can reach him there at chris-hunter.com.

Chris is honored to be singing this concert with his favorite soprano.