A few years ago, I was asked to play in a pit orchestra for a summer musical theatre program. When the music director told me the musical was called Parade, I figured it would be one of the more boring musicals. I could not have been more wrong. Premired in 1998, Parade is a very special musical, and one unlike any other I have performed in before.
*Warning: potential spoilers ahead*
1. It is based off a true story
For those of you might not know the story, the musical follows the trial and lynching of Leo Frank, a Jewish factory owner who is accused of raping and murdering one of his teenage workers. The story is actually true, but the case was not completely solved until around the turn of the twenty first century, in which Leo Frank was found not guilty. Though the story itself is very tragic, it gives us lessons that we can all learn from.
2. It pin-points real life issues
The show digs into the anti-Semitism in the South in the early 1900's. Based in Marietta, Georgia, the musical's opening scene takes place during the Confederate Memorial Day. When Mary Phagan was found dead, Frank was the only one accused because of his religious background. Throughout the show, they continue to poke jokes at his Judaism. Another big issue mentioned in the song "A Rumblin' and a Rollin'" is the discussion of if there would be such a commotion if a black girl was murdered instead of a white girl. Even today, people make similar statements of racism in our world.
3. It portrays a strong female character
Lucille knew that her husband was innocent. But instead of waiting around for anyone else to prove him not guilty, she took it upon herself to talk to the governor and re-open the case. She tells the governor that he is "either a fool or a coward" if he accepts the current outcome of the trial. Back in the early 1900's, it would be unheard of for a woman to speak her mind, let alone try to re-open her husband's case. I'd say Lucille Frank is one strong woman.
4. The music is brilliant
Jason Robert Brown did an amazing job writing the lyrics and music for the show. He does a great job displaying the emotions of the characters and the scenes through his music. The song above is "All The Wasted Time," a duet between Leo and Lucille Frank. Leo is thankful that Lucille has been helping clear his name for the case while Leo is in jail. Their love for each other grew while they were apart, and the passion is easily seen in this song.
5. The show has won many awards
A show this good would probably not leave an awards show empty handed. In 1999, Parade won eight awards out of 22 total nominations. The show won two Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical (Alfred Uhry) and Best Original Score (Jason Robert Brown). The show won six Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Book for a Musical, both Outstanding Actor and Actress in a Musical, Outstanding Orchestrations, and Outstanding Music. Obviously, this is a show that should be heard about.
Whether you're a musical theatre junkie or not, you can see that Parade is no ordinary musical. When I talk about the musical with people I performed with, they say that even listening to it can still bring them to tears. So however you wish to see this musical, whether it's online or on stage, remember what makes this musical so special.
