Mary Phagan/Parade question

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 12:07pm

Alright, forgive my stupidity. In my history class today, something came up about a court case in which the owner of a pencil factory in Georgia in the early 1900's was arrested for the murder of an employee named Mary Phagan. I'm doubting any connection, since I thought Mary Phagan in the musical was younger, but does the musical have anything to do with this?

In any case, even if it doesn't, the mention did make me realize that I don't know very much about the musical anyway. Does anyone out there have a good synopsis I could read?

Thanks!

Updated On: 3/2/05 at 12:07 PM

[robbiej]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 12:11pm

The musical Parade is indeed about the same Mary Phagan you learned about in class.

Get the CD. It's marvelous.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 12:12pm

Yep, that's the Leo Frank case.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 12:13pm

Excellent, thanks. I've heard the CD like once, but I need to own it, I know.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 1:16pm

She was an employee in the factory.

Child labor. Sweatshops. Don't forget what the time period it was.

---

The libretto is available in a new anthology with RENT, Floyd Collins and Lippa's The Wild Party.

Updated On: 3/2/05 at 01:16 PM

[Jon]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 3:27pm

There was also a made-for-TV movie with Peter Gallagher as Leo Frank and Jack Lemmon as Gov. Stanton.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 3:35pm

Governor Slaton. That much I know.

iluvtheatertrash - I'm perfectly aware of what time this was at. All I meant was that I knew Christy Romano was on the CD as Mary Phagan, and for some reason I thought she'd done it somewhere around age six, which is even pushing being a little too young for sweatshops. Not unheard of, but still kind of young. In any case, I think I underestimated her age.

Updated On: 3/2/05 at 03:35 PM

[Jwaa]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 3:59pm

I had no idea it was based on a true story, ahh makes it a bit more chilling.

[commasplice]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 5:47pm

I replied to this and BWW seems to have eaten it O_o

Emcee, check your PMs for a synopsis.

(And if anyone wants to read about the case, And the Dead Shall Rise by Steve Oney is long, but it's a GREAT resource.)

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 7:30pm

My grandma was telling me about this once. She remembered when it happened.
I grew up in the Georgia school system and we spent a very long time on this subject when I was in the seventh grade. Woo hoo, for Georiga history.

[Becky]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 7:51pm

I had no idea it was based on a true story, ahh makes it a bit more chilling.

There are a few really interesting books out there about the case. I read a lot about it after I saw the show - for I couldn't get it out of my mind. Also, you can google "Leo Frank" and there are some very chilling photos of his execution and many informative websites out there on the subject.

[MatureDignity]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 7:56pm

Crime Library also has a good write-up about the case. Look out, that site is addictive.
The Case of Leo Frank

[GovernorSlaton]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 9:48pm

"Governor Slaton. That much I know."

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 9:52pm

AND John Hickok played him. The love just goes all around.

[Jwei123]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 9:59pm

such beautiful music....one of my favorite jrb musicals (however, something indicates to me that i like l5y better ..but DEFINITELY worth owning.

[Taryn]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 10:02pm

Mary's...what, 13? Yeah. Cause she'll turn 16 "two years from next June."

[commasplice]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 10:10pm

"two months shy of fourteen" - "There is a Fountain/It Don't Make Sense"

So yep, thirteen.

(Emcee, you KNOW it's a sign that you should buy it )

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 10:12pm

It so is. I love him to no end.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 10:21pm

Parade is one of my favorite cast recordings.

[Plum]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 10:22pm

Yes, Mary's around 13. She just sounds 6 because of Christy Carlson Romano's...unique singing voice.

[Jwei123]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 10:25pm

plum~ CCR should be so fortunate to be referred to as the one with the 'unique singing voice'