PARADE On Broadway - Reviews & News Thread- Page 28

[Pashacar]

Posted: 6/27/23 at 11:30am

Huss417 said: "Are there any promo codes floating around or have they all been pulled?"

ATLANTA still worked last I checked. BIGNEWS was pulled, I believe.

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 6/28/23 at 11:40pm

Thrilled I got to see this again tonight, this time from cheaper seats in the mezzanine than the pricey orchestra seats I was in a few months ago. The production is simply incandescent from the mezzanine angle... like Life of Pi and Dolls House, this show is staged for a very particular section of the room only.

Platt and Diamond remain near perfect, with Platt's vocals being much more powerful and belty than I remember, and Diamond remaining a delight to listen to. I don't understand how Alex Joseph Grayson got lost in the Tony shuffle; he stops the show cold in Act 1 in a number that is staged so perfectly it takes your breath away. The run is taking its toll on some of the cast (harder to understand some, others' voices are struggling), but special shout out to Paul Alexander Nolan and Danielle Lee Greaves who are each doing simply remarkable work.

Given the discussion here, my ear was particularly sensitive to the repeated references to the anti Semitic sentiment depicted and I'm just gobsmacked that anyone could miss the repeated references to it: by the press, by Tom Watson, by Dorsey when he explains away the Jewish money behind the governors trying to prevent Frank's hanging, to the sign that says "Gov Slaton In the Jews Pocket" to the factory girls' and even Conley's depiction of a bug-eyed Brooklynite. 

Anyway, thrilled I got to see this again. Kudos to Arden and this team. 

[inception]

Posted: 6/29/23 at 8:32am

Listener said: "

That this case lead to the birth of the KKK seems a pretty major element...though, for obvious reasons, they wouldn't want to stage that or give that group more promotion.
 

This case did not lead to the birth of the KKK.  The original Klan started after the Civil War. 

Please don't rely on message boards for your information. 

At the very least, Wikipedia is a free source of fairly accurate information.

Read more about Leo Frank here:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Frank

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 6/29/23 at 1:52pm

It didn't give rise to the original KKK, but it led to a revival of the KKK in Georgia. That's what I meant by what I said, not that the case started the KKK.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 7/4/23 at 4:26pm

The connection between three queer Broadway talents, a Tony-winning revival, & the lynching of Leo Frank

https://www.queerty.com/the-connection-between-three-queer-broadway-talents-a-tony-winning-revival-the-lynching-of-leo-frank-20230701

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 7/9/23 at 10:05pm

Boy I thought this was a real misfire.

Ben Platts performance was so obnixous I could not wait for it to end and could not figure out for the life of me why Lucille and Leo were together or why she did what she did for him, I didn't feel any true love between them until like the last 20 minutes when she went above and beyond to try and save his ass, 

Also after hearing it over and over for months in ads and seeing it on the TONY awards, "This Isn't Over" just left me empty, the moment felt zapped of it's power

Additionally if you are going to heavly rely on projections especially names can you atleast design them so everyone in the theater can see what you are showing, sat far right mezz and couldn't make out half of the names.

 

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

Also I thought the hanging scene was so gutless, they throw him in a hole and then just stand frozen while portions of photos, atleast have the nerve to show the actual imagery of such a horrendous act in full or actually hang him and make people have to digest that 

 

Updated On: 7/9/23 at 10:05 PM

[Ensemble1680343767]

Posted: 7/9/23 at 11:36pm

BoringBoredBoard40 said: "Boy I thought this was a real misfire.

Ben Platts performance was so obnixous I could not wait for it to end and could not figure out for the life of me why Lucille and Leo were together or why she did what she did for him, I didn't feel any true love between them until like the last 20 minutes when she went above and beyond to try and save his ass,

Also after hearing it over and over for months in ads and seeing it on the TONY awards, "This Isn't Over" just left me empty, the moment felt zapped of it's power

Additionally if you are going to heavly rely on projections especially names can you atleast design them so everyone in the theater can see what you are showing, sat far right mezz and couldn't make out half of the names.
 

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

Also I thought the hanging scene was so gutless, they throw him in a hole and then just stand frozen while portions of photos, atleast have the nerve to show the actual imagery of such a horrendous act in full or actually hang him and make people have to digest that

"

Interesting, can’t say I would call anything about his performance here obnoxious. That feels a bit contrived but to each their own.

But what stood out to me was your mentioning of not being able to figure out why Leo and Lucille were together or why she did what she did for him. I think the musical kind of answers those questions well for the audience. Lucille herself openly questions her marriage to Leo, what he expects from her, and his overall quiet and aloof demeanor (‘What Am I Waiting For’ for example). But also facing the tragedy of his being accused, shows her the reasons she loves him and believes in his innocence (‘You Don’t Know This Man’ for example). 

I think a point of Parade is that even if a person is not particularly “likeable” it doesn’t mean they deserve Leo’s fate, I’m of the opinion that Lucille’s journey with Leo highlights this extremely effectively.

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 7/10/23 at 12:02am

I've seen other productions where Leo isn't played as such a off-putting dick and it honestly makes the ending land harder. 

[kidmanboy]

Posted: 7/10/23 at 6:52am

This story shouldn’t only be effective with someone who tugs at your heartstrings and I think that is exactly the point. This accusation and hanging was excused at the time because Leo was “different” than those around him. Just as today people rush to persecute people they don’t immediately identify with. I would also probe deeper as to what it is you found unlikeable. He did nothing particularly harmful compared to many of modern media’s anti-heroes. 
Also, the focus on the crowd during the hanging is exactly the point of this production. Look at the faces of those that hanged this man or stood by and watched and did nothing. They are the horror show here. This wasn’t a random tragedy. This was disgusting and evil human hatred. 
In case you can’t tell, I found this production brilliant and effective. 

Updated On: 7/10/23 at 06:52 AM

[Owen22]

Posted: 7/10/23 at 2:21pm

BoringBoredBoard40 said: "Boy I thought this was a real misfire.

Ben Platts performance was so obnixous I could not wait for it to end and could not figure out for the life of me why Lucille and Leo were together or why she did what she did for him, I didn't feel any true love between them until like the last 20 minutes when she went above and beyond to try and save his ass,

Also after hearing it over and over for months in ads and seeing it on the TONY awards, "This Isn't Over" just left me empty, the moment felt zapped of it's power

Additionally if you are going to heavly rely on projections especially names can you atleast design them so everyone in the theater can see what you are showing, sat far right mezz and couldn't make out half of the names.
 

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

Also I thought the hanging scene was so gutless, they throw him in a hole and then just stand frozen while portions of photos, atleast have the nerve to show the actual imagery of such a horrendous act in full or actually hang him and make people have to digest that"

I agree. As terrifically as this revival is directed, that hanging scene was surprisingly lackluster and devoid of power.  I almost thought, "did something go wrong tonight and they had to resort to this...?"

This show has always had intense book problems but I think this revival is the best one could hope for.  I like that Leo is not lovable.  But the writing lets the characters down. Sometimes the actors playing Lucille and Leo make up for it in chemistry. These two, as good as they are individually, have NONE!  I also feel the score is catchy and classic (much more so than I originally thought when I saw the Hal Prince production), except when writing the music for the leads when Brown tries to go all Sondheimy, so the central couple's songs are the least effective in the show.

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 7/10/23 at 2:29pm

I'd agree that the hanging is a bit of a cop-out, but there was one thing I really liked (at City Center, I'd assume it's the same on Broadway), which is:

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

When they fly the noose rope out and it comes up with a lamp attached to it. I thought it was very crafty, but also had a lot of meaning. We just witnessed (what was at least supposed to be) this super intense moment. But, the people who carried it out just moved on with their lives without punishment or remorse. What was the instrument of the horrific climax becomes just part of the fly system, holding up a lamp for the next scene. 

 

[MrJNLong]

Posted: 7/10/23 at 6:35pm

So I noticed that in 3 of its final 4 weeks of performances, Parade is doing 9 performances a week. Does anyone know if any of those performances are officially slotted for understudies or alternates already? The website doesn't say anything that I can find, so I am assuming not, but wondered if anyone else knew any more info about these final weeks (particularly the additional Sunday evening shows)

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 7/14/23 at 4:05pm

Ben Platt did not want to talk about being on the cover of that "Nepo Baby" New York Magazine issue:

https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/ben-platt-theater-camp-nepo-baby-new-york-magazine-molly-gordon-1234786447/

Updated On: 7/14/23 at 04:05 PM

[binau]

Posted: 7/14/23 at 4:20pm

Does anyone know if the show has or is likely to make a profit? I think especially given the concerns people have around Broadway economics, country economics, anti-semitism (does anyone remember that 'protest'? lol), the early advance of this show, the difficult and complex subject matter etc. it has pretty much turned out to be a 'real big' success story and a critical/commercial hit. It might be the first time I've ever followed a production closely from inception that has actually been a hit (cf. Follies, War Paint, Company etc.).

If it can at least break even, it really gives me hope that Broadway will continue to be alive and well. And it can be a model to convince producers and investors that there is a place for high quality, complex and serious shows on Broadway!!!!

I can't seem to find that investor paper that was leaked before the show announced a transfer.

Updated On: 7/14/23 at 04:20 PM

[DearTheodosia]

Posted: 7/14/23 at 6:59pm

I realize that you can easily google Leo Frank to find out his fate, but those of you who used the spoiler warning still spoiled a major part of he show- something I knew about but didn't know was actually depicted in the musical. (Edited to add: I'm referring to things that were said outside of the "spoiler content." In other words, seen without clicking through to reveal.)

Updated On: 7/15/23 at 06:59 PM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 7/14/23 at 7:15pm

Uh. They used the spoiler tool...... Other humans are not responsible for you reading them..... 

[dangeresque49]

Posted: 7/15/23 at 12:40am

binau said: "Does anyone know if the show has or is likely to make a profit? I think especially given the concerns people have around Broadway economics, country economics, anti-semitism (does anyone remember that 'protest'? lol), the early advance of this show, the difficult and complex subject matter etc. it has pretty much turned out to be a 'real big' success story and a critical/commercial hit. It might be the first time I've ever followed a production closely from inception that has actually been a hit (cf. Follies, War Paint, Company etc.).

If it can at least break even, it really gives me hope that Broadway will continue to be alive and well. And it can be a model to convince producers and investors that there is a place for high quality, complex and serious shows on Broadway!!!!

I can't seem to find that investor paper that was leaked before the show announced a transfer."

Most producers lose money anyways. Broadway is not a reliable investment. No shortage of rich people in sight so I will be happy to pay them in discount tickets!

[DearTheodosia]

Posted: 7/15/23 at 2:19am

Sutton Ross said: "Uh. They used the spoiler tool...... Other humans are not responsible for you reading them....."

I'm referring to what was written outside of the spoiler content. In other words, things I could read WITHOUT clicking on the spoiler reveal.

 

Updated On: 7/15/23 at 02:19 AM

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 7/15/23 at 7:59pm

DearTheodosia said: "Sutton Ross said: "Uh. They used the spoiler tool...... Other humans are not responsible for you reading them....."

I'm referring to what was written outside of the spoiler content. In other words, things I could read WITHOUT clicking on the spoiler reveal.

"

this is obvious to all of us reading along here- only Sutton Ross would twist your words like this. Ignore, as we all do.

 

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 7/15/23 at 10:31pm

"I realize that you can easily google Leo Frank to find out his fate..." 

It's also projected text at the beginning of this production. 

[dan94]

Posted: 7/15/23 at 11:08pm

binau said: "Does anyone know if the show has or is likely to make a profit? ...I can't seem to find that investor paper that was leaked before the show announced a transfer."

They are on a decent track towards recoupment but it will be a nail-biter that comes down to the amount of tax credit they are given. They were hoping for 15 weeks of 1.25mill for full recoupment. We will see, and if they are waiting on tax credit info we may not get an immediate announcement.

Also important to note - this would be the first ever JRB musical to recoup on Broadway.

[BwayMusician]

Posted: 7/16/23 at 2:11am

According to the Broadway Journal article:

 

“It can recoup its $5.7 million production costs by grossing $984,000 for 25 weeks and qualifying for a $3 million theater production state tax credit, according to the investor presentation. To recoup the full capitalization — which includes reserves, advances to creatives and bonds paid to unions — it must run 32 weeks at the same level and earn the tax credit. At a $1.25 million gross, it could recoup the full capitalization in about 15 weeks (with the tax credit).

Fixed weekly operating expenses, before royalties, for the limited run are projected to be $659,000.”

http://broadwayjournal.com/ben-platt-to-lead-6-5-million-parade-exclusive/

 

[JasonC3]

Posted: 7/16/23 at 7:56am

On the one hand recouping is recouping and quite an accomplishment.  On the other hand, if your recoupment depended on a tax credit, it feels like the accomplishment should come with an asterisk or a footnote.

[BETTY22]

Posted: 7/16/23 at 8:23am

I don't understand why this isn't trying to extend.

It's doing over $1 million a week. Ben isn't Hugh Jackman. Surely he can be replaced. 

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 7/16/23 at 9:28am

Do we need a better example of "the Broadway business model is totally broken" when a show--without any major celebrities commanding insane salaries-- can sell to 95%+ capacity for six months straight, with avg ticket prices being well north of $100, and still maybe not turn a profit?