Parade question...

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 12/15/05 at 8:15pm

I just bought the cast recording of Jason Robert Brown's "Parade" and I know the main story of the musical, but I'd appreciate it if anyone could supply me with a detailed synopsis of the show. Thanks!

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/15/05 at 8:20pm

Parade Synopsis Updated On: 12/15/05 at 08:20 PM

[freeadmission]

Posted: 12/15/05 at 10:00pm

Thank you SO MUCH! I've been looking for this!

Awesome.

[Dirty Rotten Scoundrel]

Posted: 12/16/05 at 12:15am

Gah why isn't this show still on Broadway?! The music is so beautiful as is the plot.

[rose&lark]

Posted: 12/16/05 at 12:20am

I agree, Dirty Rotten Scoundrel. I also think its a very compelling piece (or at least sounds it from the cast recording) and would give audiences something to think about. Of course, it could work very effectively in well put together community theatres...

[PottstownTeacher]

Posted: 12/16/05 at 12:28am

I actually had the pleasure of seeing PARADE at it's final performance on Broadway. I just couldn't believe that this was the end of thie piece of truly GOOD theatre. And yet other shows, which I feel are mindless dreck (no names, as I don't want to offend anyone) run for years and years. Yes, it was remembered fondly at Tony awards time, but still. The CD is a great souvenir of the show. I really wish more regional theatres would pick it up. Or even some better communtiy theatres. That, and SIDE SHOW. Another sad loss to the theatre community.

[C is for Company]

Posted: 12/16/05 at 12:40am

Wait so did Leo actually commit the crime? The ending left me slightly puzzled

[C is for Company]

Posted: 12/16/05 at 12:53am

I guess nvm. I looked up and this was actually a real case with the musical sticking to every element, using real names and such. To this day the case was not solved but the probable killer was Jim Conley they say

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 12/16/05 at 1:53am

True. Leo Frank, post-mortem, was cleared of all charges I believe. I think I heard that in Marietta they even made a statue of him in memoriam.

[SuddenlyTrey]

Posted: 12/16/05 at 1:55am

I was just in a production of Parade, and I loved the show before I was in it so I've had some time to really think about it all and so I'll share with you my opinion.
It is based on a true story and all of the actual case it factual but they start to fictionalize a lot when it comes to moments not really in the trial, just to make it theatrical.
There are SOOO many great books on the Case if you are really interested and want to get REALLY angry with the Judical system in the early 1900s. The Leo Frank Case is probably the best because it isn't sided and just has all the facts. Also "And the Dead Shall Rise" is another great one.
Jason Robert Brown is a genius! Hands down. And if you just listen to the CD you can't imagine how it didn't last because it is phenominal. But the book and the show are very troubled. There are several problems, such as length, the love story vs. the ensemble...it seems to be 5 ensembles numbers then lucille and leo have a slow scene and ballad...all through the show. I think it should have lasted a lot longer on Broadway, and it still is one of my favorite musicals because it isn't fluffy and has meaning and weight. But after working on it, I could see the rough edges.

My opinion. For what it's worth to ya!

[nydirector2]

Posted: 12/16/05 at 12:57pm

The reason Parade folded early was because the money for a commercial transfer didn't come through, due to the whole Livent fiasco. The same can be said for Ragtime.

I agree that the book for Parade is flawed. This had to do mostly with the contrast in ideas of what the show should have been by Uhry, Brown, and Prince. Brown wanted a love story, Uhry wanted an accurate retelling of his hometown's history, and Prince wanted both. The result was a dramaturgical nightmare.

Lonnie Mann, a young boy who worked in the Pencil Factory saw Jim Connely and Mary Phagen, and when he went home and told his mother, she said to keep his mouth shut. On his death bed, he told a reporter in Nashville what had actually happened to Mary Phagan. Leo Frank was subsequently pardonned post-mortem of all accounts.

As you can tell, I love this show, having worked on it, and can write/talk about it for hours. Once the fascination with movie remakes, juke box musicals, and mega musicals dies, shows like Parade will be finally get it's due and respect.