Parade
A Musical in 2 Acts. Book by Alfred Uhry. Music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown. Co-conceived and directed by Harold Prince.
- Choreographed by Patricia Birch.
- Settings by Riccardo Hernandez.
- Costumes by Judith Dolan.
- Lighting by Howell Binkley.
- Sound by Jonathan Deans.
- Musical supervision and direction, Eric Stern.
- Orchestrations by Don Sebesky.
Vivian Beaumont Theatre, New York - Opened 17 December, 1998; closed 28 February, 1999 (84 perfs.)
Synopsis
The story of Parade is true, centering on the 1913 "Trial of the Century" in which Leo Frank, a Brooklyn-born Jew living in Atlanta, was falsely accused of killing Mary Phagan, a young girl working in the factory he managed. Leo was railroaded through a trial, found guilty and sentenced to hang. His wife, Lucille, launched a heroic campaign to save his life, eventually convincing the Governor to overturn the death sentence — only to have a mob of vigilantes drag Leo from prison in the middle of the night and lynch him.
The show's title refers to the annual parade held on Confederate Memorial Day, for it was on that day in 1913 that the murder took place. The parade (which is seen at the start, middle and end of the musical to mark the passing of years) was a rallying point for proud Southerners still affected by their defeat in the Civil War.
Public outcry over the little girl's death was easily stirred up by political opportunists and a rabid press. Small wonder that Georgians were quick to condemn an outsider like Leo Frank and take justice into their own hands.
At the forefront of this tragic tale is a heartbreaking love story. Before the trial, Leo and Lucille Frank were formal and restrained with one another.
When the crisis exploded around them, they both emerged stronger despite
the struggle, discovering a deep passion for each other that they had
not known before. "All the Wasted Time," their duet towards
the end of the show, is a sublime expression of grown-up love.
-THOMAS COTT
Musical Numbers
- The Old Red Hills of Home (Prologue) - Young Soldier, Old Soldier, Ensemble
- The Dream of Atlanta (Anthem) - Ensemble
- How Can I Call This Home? - Leo Frank, Ensemble
- The Picture Show - Frankie Epps, Mary Phagan
- Leo at Work/What Am I Waiting For? - Leo Frank, Lucille Frank
- I am trying to remember ... (Interrogation) - Newt Lee, Mrs Phagan
- Big News! - Britt Craig
- There Is a Fountain/It Don't Make Sense (lncorporating There Is a Fountain, traditional hymn by William Cowper, melody by Lowell Mason, 1772.) - Frankie Epps, Ensemble
- Watson's Lullaby - Tom Watson
- Somethin' Ain't Right - Hugh Dorsey
- Real Big News - Britt Craig, Reporters, Ensemble
- You Don't Know This Man - Lucille Frank
- The Trial (Finale Act 1): It Is Time Now - Fiddlin' John, Tom Watson, Ensemble
- Twenty Miles from Marietta - Hugh Dorsey
- Frankie's Testimony - Frankie Epps, Mary Phagan, Tom Watson
- The Factory Girls/Come Up to My Office - Iola Stover, Essie, Monteen, Leo Frank
- Newt Lee's Testimony - Newt Lee, Ensemble
- My Child Will Forgive Me - Mrs Phagan
- That's What He Said - Jim Conley
- It's hard to speak my heart (Leo's Statement) - Leo Frank
- Closing Statement and Verdict - Ensemble
- It Goes On and On - Britt Craig
- A Rumblin' and a Rollin - Riley, Angela, Newt Lee, Jim Conley
- Do It Alone - Lucille Frank
- Pretty Music - Governor Slaton
- Letter to the Governor - Judge Roan
- This Is Not Over Yet - Leo Frank, Lucille Frank, Factory Girls, Newt Lee
- Feel the Rain Fall (Blues) - Jim Conley, Ensemble
- Where Will You Stand When the Flood Comes? - Tom Watson, Hugh Dorsey, Ensemble
- All the Wasted Time - Leo Frank, Lucille Frank
- Finale - Ensemble
Scenes and Settings
The action takes place in Marietta and Atlanta, Georgia and environs in 1913.
Original Cast
(in order of appearance):
|
|
Ensemble:
Adinah Alexander, Duane Boutté, Diana Brownstone, Thursday Farrar, Will Gartshore, Abbi Hutcherson, Tad Ingram, Emily Klein, Angela Lockett, Megan McGinniss, Riley, Brooke Sunny Moriber, Randy Redd, Joel Robertson, Peter Samuel, Don Stephenson, Bill Szobody, Anne Torsiglieri, Melanie Vaughan, Wysandria Woolsey.