Parade Ending Question (Possible Spoilers)

I didn't see the original production, but considering that Leo Frank's death led to a resurgence in the KKK in the South, that's a brilliant choice. Hats off to that college.

It is a brilliant choice. I saw a professional production that did something similar during WHERE WILL YOU STAND WHEN THE FLOOD COMES? White robes lowered on a fly and the mob stood behind them. A chilling moment.

The original Broadway production did not do anything like that. The finale is staged much like the beginning-- the Confederate Memorial Day parade is being celebrated with Confederate flags waving but instead of Leo uncomfortably watching as the "outsider" as it was during the opening, it's Lucille watching-- horrified.

I saw the production that the original poster refers too. It was absolutely incredible for a university show.

To explain a little more-- the was a scrim midstage that was used throughout the entire show. There was always a silhouette of something whether it be soldiers/jail cell/pillars, etc. The scrim flew out twice during the show: the ensemble entrance in Old Red Hills Of Home (opening) and the a cappella (wall of sound!) reprise of it in the finale. The two scenes mirrored each other. In the finale, the scrim flew back in as the final chord rang out-- we hear and see the marching crowd as Frankie puts on what looks to be a doctor's coat. He runs upstage of the scrim and the final image we see is a silhouette of him in the KKK hood. The silhouette was massive--from the top of the scrim to stage level. It was a frightening image that still has not left my mind.