Parade--My Marietta, GA Experience

Okay, as a theatre geek I sometimes get inspired by musical theater that is based on real people or historical events and want learn more or have some sort of experience.

I've sat in front of "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte" at the Chicago Art Institute and listened to the entire OBC recording of "Sunday in the Park with George," focusing on each character in the painting...and moved to tears just like when I see the show.

When I saw "Parade" at Lincoln Center it inspired me to read, "And the Dead Shall Rise: The Murder of Mary Phagan and the Lynching of Leo Frank," by Steve Oney. An amazingly detailed book that I'm sure has been mentioned here before.

But this week while in Atlanta on business I drove to Marietta, GA to see the town and the grave site of Mary Phagan (I'd love to post a few pics but I'm tech clueless on this message board). I also drove to the general area where Leo Frank was hanged. Of couse, the "Old Red Hills of Home" played in my head as did "It's Hard To Speak My Heart" and many of the other songs.

Along the road into Marietta I saw a lot of Mexican flags displayed and store signs in Spanish. Then, as I drove out of town, I saw a sign in front of a bar and grill that read, "Free meals for border patrol officers." I sighed, shook my head and thought back to Leo Frank and Mary Phagan and how much really hasn't changed.

I went to Atlanta back in the summer of 2000(?) to see the opening of the Parade tour, and being the history buff that I am, while I was there went around to all of the Frank-case related sites.

I had read Dinnerstein's book "The Leo Frank Case" prior to my trip (the Oney book hadn't been written yet, but I have since read it as well).

I went to the Jewish Heritage Museum downtown where they had an exhibit on Alfred Uhry and one on the Frank case. There were lots of artifacts and photos from the Frank estate and other items related to the case that were VERY interesting. I also traveled to the spot of the lynching and saw the memorial plaque on the side of the office building which is there now.

Finally, I went to the Veteran's Cemetary in Marietta and visited the grave of Mary Phagan. While there I had my own "intense" experience. As I was about to leave the gravesite, a car drove up and out stepped several people involved in the Parade tour. Among them were David Pittu, who was playing Leo, and Andrea Burns, who was playing Lucille. It was their first time at the gravesite as well, and being able to witness that moment was unreal.

I have several photos from my trip that I could scan and share if anyone is interested in seeing them.

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OOoo!! Please post the pictures, Ejolras!

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