**** Recommended I had to look it up, but I discovered that the last time I saw a production of Parade was in 2005. A revival is a long time coming – and the results were worth waiting for. This is a beautiful production, but it is not a happy story. Based on a true and very dark episode in Georgia history, Parade explores anti-Semitism in the south. This is a must-see musical. 4 Spotlights
In 1913, a 13-year-old girl named Mary Phagan (Olivia Goosman) was murdered on Confederate Memorial Day. Although there were other suspects, on the flimsiest of evidence, her employer, Leo Frank (Max Chernin) was arrested and accused of her murder.
Having grown up in Brooklyn, Leo Frank just didn’t fit into the South and he was never comfortable with their reverence for the Confederacy, even when his wife, Lucille (Talia Suskauer), tried to explain. So even though it was a day off for everyone else, he was in his office at the pencil factory he managed when Mary Phagan came to get her pay.
Britt Craig (Michael Tacconi), an ambitious reporter, saw a golden opportunity for the story of a lifetime. Frankie Epps (Jack Roden), a boy who invited Mary to the picture show – only to be turned down flat – vowed vengeance at her funeral.
Tom Watson (Griffin Binnicker), the editor of a right-wing newspaper, printed salacious stories daily prompting the Governor, John Slaton (Chris Shyer), to urge the Prosecutor, Hugh Dorsey (Andrew Samonsky), to find the killer. Dorsey who had aspirations for higher office, was totally unscrupulous and willing to do anything to convict Leo Frank. By the time of the trial, Dorsey had coached, intimidated and outright threatened his witnesses to testify against Leo Frank. As a result, Atlanta’s largely unlettered population was whipped into a racist, anti-Semitic mob.
Leo Frank was found guilty and sentenced to death. During his time in jail, he and Lucille grew closer. Their duet, All the Wasted Time, a moving ballad, which could apply to many marriages. Eventually, Lucille went to see the Governor who agreed to look into it. After he interviewed many of the witnesses, including Lucille’s own maid, and learned the truth, he commuted Leo’s sentence to life and had him moved to another prison to keep him safe. One night soon after, a mob broke into the prison in the middle of the night, kidnapped Leo, took him back to Marietta and lynched him.
By the way, historical notes appear throughout the production. The epilog really struck me – in 2019, Leo Frank’s case was reopened by the Fulton County District Attorney, It remains open.
Also appearing in Parade, Ben Cherington (Officer Ibey, Thomas Blackstock & others), Emily Rose DeMartino (Essie & others), Bailee Endebrock (Monteen & others), Alison Ewing (Sally Slaton), Caroline Fairweather (Nrse, Daisy Hopkins & others), Danielle Lee Greaves (Minnie McKnight)), Evan Harrington (Old Soldier, Judge Roan), Jenny Hickman (Mrs. Phagan), Trevor James (Young Soldier & others), Robert Knight (Newt Lee), Sophia Manicone (Iola Stover), Trista Moldovan (Nina Formby & others), Prentiss E. Mouton (Riley), Ramone Nelson (Jim Conley), Oluchi Nwaokorie (Angela), Ethan Riordan (Mr. Turner & others), Jason Simon (Det. Starnes, James Gantt & others), Brian Vaughn (Luther Rosser, Mr. Peavy). Swings: William Bishop, Jerquintez A. Gipson, Brianna Javis, Benjamin Magnuson, Jodi Snyder, Eden Witvoet, Jake Ziman.
Traveling Orchestra: Charlie Alterman (Music Director/Conductor), Austin Davy (Associate Conductor/Keyboard 2), Thomas Michaels (Keyboard 1), Anthony Scandora (Drums/Percussion), Mark O’Kain (Percussion).
Electronic Music Design by Billy Jay Stein, Hiro Iida for Strange Cranium, Kimberlee Wertz, Music Coordinator. John Blane, Music Preparation.
Local Orchestra: Caitlin Edwards (Violin 1), Elizabeth Huffman (Violin 2), Karla Galva (Viola), Nicholas Gold (Cello), Lawrence Kohut (Bass). Local Music Coordinator – Michael J. Keffe/MK Custom Music LLC.
Parade was written by Alfred Uhry with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown. It premiered on Broadway in 1998. It won Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Original Score, as well as six Drama Desk awards. The 2023 revival won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. The touring production is directed by Michael Arden.
Parade runs through runs through August 17th at Broadway in Chicago’s CIBC Theatre, 18 W. Monroe, Chicago. With parking limited, I recommend using a parking app.
Running time is two hours, 30 minutes, with an intermission. Performances are Tuesday at 7:00 pm; Wednesday at 1:00 & 7:00 pm; Thursday at 7:00 pm; Friday at 7:30 pm; Saturday at 2:00 & 7:30 pm; and Sunday at 1:00. Tickets range from $35-$130. FYI www.BroadwayInChicago.com