Mark Taper PARADE program with rehearsal photos - Page 2

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 10/1/09 at 12:20am

I went in to the show totaly blind. I have only heard of it and didn't know a thing about it, so the review on ATC was very helpful to me.

"With such a loss of vivid community conflict, the two who ultimately suffer most are ironically the characters of Lucille and Leo Frank, because the faces around them are so nameless they pose no real human threat."

That was what I was trying to put my finger on and couldn't.

[Geridith]

Posted: 10/2/09 at 4:32pm

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/station/as-seen-on/_Parade__Opens_In_L_A__Starring_T_R__Knight_Los_Angeles.html

[Elphaba]

Posted: 10/2/09 at 11:21pm

Am seeing this on Nov 7th

[mlsheehan]

Posted: 10/4/09 at 2:29pm

I saw this on Friday night, Oct. 2nd. I thought it was an excellent production of an uneven show. First time that I've seen the show, and I was not familiar with music beforehand.

The double (and triple) casting did not really confuse me, as most of the characters are introduced by their names. I can see why the production does this to keep down costs, and for the most part I thought the smaller scale of the show worked for this production.

The cast was uniformly excellent. TR Knight does not have a big voice, but his work is very good here. The rest of the cast were right on. I thought Ms. Pulver was exordinary.

I liked the set and thought it worked extremely well. Especially, the deteriorating photo-like back drop which would change in certain scenes to reflect a sons of the south picture or once a painting of landscape.

The show itself could easily be trimmed as it is a bit redundant. Overall, a memorable night in the theatre.

[thenewmoon]

Posted: 10/4/09 at 3:22pm

I was also at the Oct 2 performance, sitting in the front row (unusual for the Taper, the stage floor is flush with the seating, so I was just inches away from the actors.) I was already quite familiar with the original recording and I saw the really fine production of "Parade" at the Neighborhood Playhouse in Palos Verdes last year (which used a full-size cast and orchestra in a small space), so I wasn't even going to bother seeing this, especially since the Taper's recent musicals have been so disappointing ("Pippin," "13", etc). Happily, it's a remarkably strong offering (even in previews) and very entertaining. The star power of the cast alone is a treat (Christian Hoff almost makes off with the show in his featured numbers as Hugh Dorsey in Act I, then suddenly there's Michael Berresse making "Pretty Music" look easy-- the men in this show are just "wow!"). I was not familiar with TR Knight's tv work, but I will be the first to say his appearance here is anything but stunt casting. Contrary to the pre-shpw buzz (like the interview in today's LA Times), he can, in fact, actually sing (better than John Stamos, anyway). His sleight physique and boyish looks bring an entirely different take on Leo Frank. I really, really liked his performance, as he conveys Leo's stoicism as the root of his unlikeability. As Lucille Frank, Lara Pulver is a petite woman with a powerful voice; she and Knight never seem to really have chemistry, but that might be part of the point.
Even knowing the songs and the story, it was indeed a bit confusing that the actors kept changing roles, especially since all of the costumes are in greys and browns. David St. Louis was clearly an audience favorite, but I found it hypocritical that he played all of the African-American roles (in a show about prejudice vs. individuality, what does that say?)
The athletic choreography fills the stage and helps to create the illusion of a bigger cast; I think they could've used 2 or 4 more in the ensemble, of different ages or colors, for sure. For me personally, even sitting up close, I could never get viscerally engaged with the action; like the John Doyle "Sweeney Todd," the use of cool lighting and detached acting just made the production too clinical (I remember the vibrancy of the colors and emotions in the Neighborhood Playhouse version most of a all, it was like an inversion of "The Music Man.") But from a technical perspective, this is a a very solid, very quality production, and those West Coasters who've been waiting patiently to get to see this show are going to really enjoy it. I think it's definitely strong enough to go to NY (hey, if "Ragtime" gets another shot, why not this?)

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 1:45am

LA Times review

[fade2black2]

Posted: 10/7/09 at 3:40pm

Variety Review Updated On: 10/10/09 at 03:40 PM

[Popular]

Posted: 10/7/09 at 4:31pm

I am seeing this tonight with no prior knowledge of the story or songs. I hope it's less confusing than reading this thread! ha ha

[ABB2357]

Posted: 10/7/09 at 7:35pm

I certainly hope this is good - if it is, it'll easily be the best Taper production of the season. If not... well, Michael Ritchie has some 'splaining to do.

[Geridith]

Posted: 10/7/09 at 9:27pm

I think its actually good to go in not knowing the history of the show. Though if you really wanted to, you could google the Leo Frank case.

[DezBryner]

Posted: 10/8/09 at 1:39am

I saw this last night, 10/6, and was thoroughly impressed. This is the best Taper production I've seen in the last 4 or 5 years.
Going in I didn't know anything about this show except that I loved 'Last 5 Years' by JRB and that TR Knight was starring in it. The caliber of Broadway performers completely surprised me. Charlotte d'Amboise, Michael Beresse, Davis Gaines, Christian Hoff....amazing! Lara Pulver really steals it though. I don't know where she came from, but her voice is gorgeous!!
In Los Angeles it's usually painfully obvious the difference between shows that are serious contenders to transfer to NYC and those that aren't. This show made me feel like I could head over to Junior's for a slice of cheesecake after the show. The talent in this production could take it there tomorrow. Tweek a few little things and it's more than ready.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 10/8/09 at 4:49pm

does anyone think that if this does transfer to Broadway, that they'll add a few cast members to make it less confusing??

[fade2black2]

Posted: 10/8/09 at 5:24pm

It is cast this way for economic reasons which will help if/when it does transfer or go on tour. Keeping the production costs low will be a key to the shows success.

By the way, I have seen the Taper production and it is not at all distracting. In fact it is great to see how the actors use different characterizations and mannerism for each role.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 10/8/09 at 5:59pm

"Keeping the production costs low will be a key to the shows success."

Which is the reason most musical theatre now sucks.

[Geridith]

Posted: 10/8/09 at 9:16pm

"It is cast this way for economic reasons which will help if/when it does transfer or go on tour."

Not true, it was a specific artistic decision originally made by the director and composer on the London show. I think it suits the smaller spaces its played really well.

Updated On: 10/9/09 at 09:16 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 10/8/09 at 10:20pm

The b-roll footage looks pretty good. I wish I could see this with T.R. He sounds wonderful.

[mlsheehan]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 1:49pm

Geesh ... if you spent any time in a theater, the double and triple casting isn't confusing. The actors are more than capable of doing two or three roles. They are easily differentiated by the lines in the show and where the action is taking place. (It's pretty much all clarified in the current script.) And as an audience member, I thought that it actually adds to the fun later when you realize who played what.

Some of the double casting is almost required because of the theme of the show. Certain characters should be played by the same performer so that the past (history) directly informs what happens during the main action in the show.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 1:51pm

I wasn't confused by the double casting in this production but thought it could have been executed better.

[Mike3]

Posted: 10/11/09 at 1:06am

I saw PARADE last night and thought it was quite good. I forgot how much I love this score. Jason Robert Brown is so gifted. He was in the audience last night and seemed gratified by the enthusiastic response of the audience.

Posted: 10/11/09 at 1:24am

Could we be expecting a Broadway transfer?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 10/11/09 at 1:28am

Not until after T.R. finishes the revival of Lend Me a Tenor. Unless he drops out of that or Parade moves ahead with out him.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 10/11/09 at 3:37am

Just saw the production tonight. Will post a review later. But, in a word: wonderful. Would LOVE to see a Broadway transfer.

[fade2black2]

Posted: 10/11/09 at 10:10am

"Not until after T.R. finishes the revival of Lend Me a Tenor. Unless he drops out of that or Parade moves ahead with out him."

from a recent LA times article:

Knight is discussing possibly appearing in a Broadway revival of Ken Ludwig's comedy "Lend Me a Tenor," but he says nothing is official.
LA times article

[guest100]

Posted: 12/27/09 at 10:44pm

hello im new here but i went to see this play 4x and i loved it. i came for reasons of a fan of a actor who stared in it. but i must say i didnt expect it to be good i came in not knowing what it was about and actually i had to google the story after opening nite because i was waaaayyy confused, but then realised some of the actors played multiple rolls. even on closing nite a couple sat next to me asked me questions at intermission who didnt know the story said they were confused. i loved the play everyone did a awesome job!! i wished it played longer (