Parade

In the early 1900s, it would have been nearly unimaginable for anyone to conceive of a horrific event, such as the hanging of an individual, being portrayed so vividly and provocatively through the narrative of musical theater. Yet, Alfred Uhry's breathtaking book, Parade, written into musical format by American musical composer and lyricist Jason Robert Brown, boldly brings to life the touching, emotionally stirring, and shockingly-horrifying story of Leo Frank, arguably one of the finest musical productions written about the plights of Jewish people during antisemitism. Parade, a dramatization of the harrowing events surrounding the trial and wrongful imprisonment of Leo Frank, a Jewish American man, in 1913. Using the background of the social and political environment in Atlanta, the musical deftly explores the hatred and prejudice of the times, detailing the injustices faced by its central character and other minorities. The production unflinchingly explores the pervasive biases and injustices that led to Frank's tragic lynching in 1915. For those unfamiliar with this real-life tragedy, the thought-provoking narrative unfolds with Leo Frank, the superintendent at the National Pencil Company, meticulously preparing the end-of-day financial records in his dimly lit office, when a young girl, Mary Phagan, comes into his office for her pay. As she leaves, a balloon she is carrying flows into the air, dramatizing her disappearance.

The townspeople erupted in a chorus of outrage, their demands for justice echoing throughout the streets, pressuring local law enforcement and the Governor to uncover the truth behind her tragic fate. After a cursory investigation, Leo Frank, with unsubstantiated charges, was thrust into the spotlight as the prime suspect for the rape and murder of Mary Phagan. His trial was highly publicized and fueled by anti-Semitic sentiment, and when people were coerced into lying, he was ultimately convicted. Leo's faith in humanity and living a Godly life is shaken. Still, word of his wrongful conviction spread nationwide, and with the help of his wife, Lucille, his death sentence was commuted to life in prison. Together, they continue a quest to free Leo so he could reclaim his innocence, but he was later abducted from his prison cell and lynched by a mob. Shedding light on themes that resonate with racism and the consequences of unchecked societal biases that can be seen even in today's government, Parade stands out as one of the most powerful and thought-provoking musicals created. Max Chernin provides a flawless characterization of Leo Frank that is enthralling, and Talia Suskauer's performance of Lucille Frank was equally inspiring. The singing, led by Ramone Nelson's stellar performance as the cleaning supervisor, Jim Conley, and part of the chain gang group of criminals, is complemented by the cast's superb acting, which includes Andrew Samonsky and Chris Shyer. With each performer's contribution enriching the production, creating an unforgettable theatrical experience, the cast does an excellent job with powerful vocals while performing their character roles with emotional depth, keeping the audience engaged with the storyline, making the tragic journey of Leo Frank distressingly moving.

Iconically, the name Parade comes from the town preparing to celebrate the Confederate Memorial Day, often associated with white supremacy, which provides a crucial backdrop for the story's themes of antisemitism and regional tensions. Lucille Frank made only one public statement regarding her husband's lynching, and it was published in the Augusta Chronicle on October 1, 1915 (six weeks after the lynching). With this being one of Jason Robert Brown's first musicals, which he hits out of the park, and winning a Tony Award for best Revival of a Musical at the 2023, I can't wait to see more of his wondrous works.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

CIBC Theatre

PARADE

Book by Alfred Uhry

Directed by Michael Arden

August 5 – August 17, 2025

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