Parade closed too soon

[DickonDefysGravity]

Posted: 10/14/04 at 1:08am

Did anyone see this.....I would LOVED to have seen it!!!!
Why the heck did it close so early??? Were people just unresponsive or was badly received because of the issues in the plot??? Confusified!!! I want it to come back with the same cast...well...maybe me as Frankie or opening soldier....never mind...thoughts???

[Gothampc]

Posted: 10/14/04 at 8:05am

I like the score and own the cd.

The production at Lincoln Center wasn't well executed. For example, in the court room scenes, the jury was made out of cardboard cutouts. I think everyone expected better from the great Hal Prince.

Brent Carver left the show early and I remember there was some negative publicity over that.

In my opinion, Carolee Carmello never got Mrs. Frank right. She chose to play "a proper lady" but she came across as cold and unfeeling. When she sang "You Don't Know This Man", I felt like saying, "Neither do you." All through her performance I kept thinking of Miss Jane Hathaway from The Beverly Hillbillies.

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 10/14/04 at 9:39am

It was one of the best shows to hit NY in years. I'll never understand why it didn't make it. I was deeply moved by it and found it to be extremely well written, acted and sung. Carolee Carmello was extraodinary in it.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/14/04 at 9:47am

I saw the national tour which retained Hal Prince's staging as well as many of the original cast. The carboard cutouts for the jury was quite perfect, actually. It was a perfect allegory for the "brick wall" mindset of the Deep South that stick together no matter how wrong and narrow-minded they are. Actually, the cutout represented all the jurors from a photograph from the period with the exception of the jury foreman, who was one of the cast members. I thought the device worked brilliantly. Hal Prince has always loved cutouts and clever minimalist gadgets and devices. Look at his designs for Candide, Sweeney, Bounce, Grind, etc. I think Parade was pretty much on par for the majority of his work.

[leomaxfrank]

Posted: 10/14/04 at 10:13am

It did close too soon. Parade as many people know here, or could probably figure out, is my favorite musical. I can differentiate between "best" and "favorite", so I certainly don't think it's the "best" - but it strikes such a deep chord within me, as well as many other people I know. JRB's score is beautiful, southern/country pastiche which, is as always pretty complex and well-organized. I did have a few minor issues with Prince's staging (not interpretation, but actual blocking assignments), but IMHO it was almost perfect visually. I also thought Carolee was a bit cold, but I didn't know if some of that was Prince's direction (or his assistant's) for her. In response to them not knowing each other well, I think one of the major problems of Leo and Lucille's relationship is that they really DIDN'T know each other too well - especailly not for being married a few years. Leo had been working very hard at the pencil factory and both clearly mention their insecurities in the relationship. She was a southern belle, albeit a Jewish one. and he was a semi-stuffy, meek, Jewish boy from New York. They certainly loved each other, but I think both of their insecurities about relationships made it hard for them to communicate well. The tragedy brought them much much closer - It's all in Alfred Uhry's well-crafted book.

The cardboard was a great idea/allegory for the cold Southern judges...look at what Lapine did with Sunday.

[dancinfan]

Posted: 10/14/04 at 11:25am

I agree. I think Parade is one of the most interesting and challenging musicals to come along in a great while. Parade and Ragtime are fascinating to listen to, and I wish both had run longer.

[Raimiette]

Posted: 10/14/04 at 1:36pm

Fill me in here, when did Brent Carver leave Parade? The show only ran for like 3 1/2 months...he must have only been there a tiny time.

I also agree that if left Broadway too soon. Fantastic musical.

[robbiej]

Posted: 10/14/04 at 1:41pm

I saw the last performance of Parade (and CRIED MY EYES OUT as I did the first time I saw it).

Brent Carver was in it. And was wonderful.

And Carolee was robbed of the Tony that year.

Perfect staging? No (did they really need to break out the old Evita torches for SOMEONE'S GONNA PAY WHEN THE FLOOD COMES?).

But it was easily the most thrilling theatrical event that year. FOSSE??? F*cking please!

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 10/14/04 at 1:53pm

The best and most important musicals of the last couple of years have all been unsuccessful financially:
FLOYD COLLINS
THE WILD PARTY
CAROLINE OR CHANGE
and yes, PARADE...These shows will live much longer than the WICKED's and the LION KING's.

[SolGrundy]

Posted: 10/14/04 at 3:30pm

I think it closed because of the limited scope of the story. that and timing.

The performances were all top-notch. Some of the best I've seen from and entire cast -- no weak performances.

But even thought I liked it, I hated that it was a musical court room drama. Especially because at the time every single movie and tv show had to have a court room sceen.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 10/14/04 at 9:56pm

"Brent Carver left the show early and I remember there was some negative publicity over that."

Ok a friend reminded me what this was. Carver took a week off from the show, but the box office wasn't very good about informing people that he wouldn't be appearing that week. A lot of people were mad because they came expecting to see him and Lincoln Center knew that he was not in the show.

[Jamie Hat]

Posted: 10/15/04 at 7:53am

I still get weak when I listen to the score...
If the cast weren't so large I bet it would be done more regionally.