Callicutt is a swing in the recent Broadway revival of "Hairspray."
Tanner Callicutt ‘19 is thrilled to be making his Broadway debut as a swing in the revival of “Parade.” Callicutt’s recent non-Broadway credits include “Hairspray” as Fender and Link, “Grease” as Danny, and “West Side Story” as Tony.
Most recently, “Parade” was a part of New York City Center’s Encores! program presenting rarely revived musicals. The 2023 transfer marks its first Broadway revival since its 1998 premiere when “Parade” played for just over two months. It was a short but lauded run, receiving nine Tony Award nominations, winning two: Best Book of a Musical (for Alfred Uhry) and Best Original Score (for Jason Robert Brown).
Callicutt was involved in the New York City Center’s concert production of “Parade” in November. When news broke out about the show moving to Broadway, he received a call asking if we would join the team as a swing. Callicutt exclaims that being a swing is the hardest thing he’s done so far in his career. Being a swing means that you’re covering multiple tracks at once in case the principal is unable to perform.
“Not having a set plan has been the biggest thing to adjust to,” Callicutt said. “But the surprise aspect is also very exciting and it keeps me on my toes.”
Callicutt raves about his fellow ensemble members and the community that has been created. Knowing that every person has his back, allows him to focus on just the work.
One of the biggest pieces of advice Callicutt has for current Elon students is to always be professional. That means “being on time, being prepared, and taking care of your body because you rely on it in order to do that work.” Callicutt felt that his time at Elon drilled this mindset into him which allowed him to get work professionally once graduating.
“Parade” opens on Broadway on Tuesday, Feb. 21 and runs until Sunday, Aug. 6 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre in New York.