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Parade

Cover to Original Broadway Cast Recording

A Musical in 2 Acts. Book by Alfred Uhry. Music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown. Co-conceived and directed by Harold Prince.

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

  1. The Old Red Hills of Home (Prologue) - Young Soldier, Old Soldier, Ensemble
  2. The Dream of Atlanta (Anthem) - Ensemble
  3. How Can I Call This Home? - Leo Frank, Ensemble
  4. The Picture Show - Frankie Epps, Mary Phagan
  5. Leo at Work/What Am I Waiting For? - Leo Frank, Lucille Frank
  6. I am trying to remember ... (Interrogation) - Newt Lee, Mrs Phagan
  7. Big News! - Britt Craig
  8. 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
  9. Watson's Lullaby - Tom Watson
  10. Somethin' Ain't Right - Hugh Dorsey
  11. Real Big News - Britt Craig, Reporters, Ensemble
  12. You Don't Know This Man - Lucille Frank
  13. The Trial (Finale Act 1): It Is Time Now - Fiddlin' John, Tom Watson, Ensemble
  14. Twenty Miles from Marietta - Hugh Dorsey
  15. Frankie's Testimony - Frankie Epps, Mary Phagan, Tom Watson
  16. The Factory Girls/Come Up to My Office - Iola Stover, Essie, Monteen, Leo Frank
  17. Newt Lee's Testimony - Newt Lee, Ensemble
  18. My Child Will Forgive Me - Mrs Phagan
  19. That's What He Said - Jim Conley
  20. It's hard to speak my heart (Leo's Statement) - Leo Frank
  21. Closing Statement and Verdict - Ensemble
  22. It Goes On and On - Britt Craig
  23. A Rumblin' and a Rollin - Riley, Angela, Newt Lee, Jim Conley
  24. Do It Alone - Lucille Frank
  25. Pretty Music - Governor Slaton
  26. Letter to the Governor - Judge Roan
  27. This Is Not Over Yet - Leo Frank, Lucille Frank, Factory Girls, Newt Lee
  28. Feel the Rain Fall (Blues) - Jim Conley, Ensemble
  29. Where Will You Stand When the Flood Comes? - Tom Watson, Hugh Dorsey, Ensemble
  30. All the Wasted Time - Leo Frank, Lucille Frank
  31. Finale - Ensemble

Scenes and Settings

The action takes place in Marietta and Atlanta, Georgia and environs in 1913.

Original Cast

(in order of appearance):

  • Young Soldier: JEFF EDGERTON.
  • Aide: Don Stephenson.
  • Assistant: Melanie Vaughan.
  • Old Soldier: DON CHASTAIN.
  • Lucille Frank: CAROLEE CARMELLO.
  • Leo Frank: BRENT CARVER.
  • Hugh Dorsey: HERNDON LACKEY.
  • Governor Slaton: JOHN HICKOK.
  • Frankie Epps: KIRK MCDONALD.
  • Mary Phagan: CHRISTY CARLSON ROMANO.
  • Iola Stover: Brooke Sunny Moriber.
  • Jim Conley: RUFUS BONDS, JR.
  • J. N. Starnes: Peter Samuel.
  • Officer Ivey: Tad Ingram.
  • Newt Lee: RAY ARANHA.
  • Prison Guard: Randy Redd.
  • Mrs. Phagan: JESSICA MOLASKEY.
  • Lizzie Phagan: Robin Skye.
  • Floyd MacDaniel: J. B. ADAMS.
  • Britt Craig: EVAN PAPPAS.
  • Tom Watson: JOHN LESLIE WOLFE.
  • Angela: Angela Lockett.
  • Riley: Riley.
  • Luther Rosser: J. B. ADAMS.
  • Fiddlin' John: JEFF EDGERTON.
  • Judge Roan: DON CHASTAIN.
  • Nurse: Adinah Alexander.
  • Monteen: Abbi Hutcherson.
  • Essie: Emily Klein.
  • Mr. Peavy: Don Stephenson.

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.