KeyBank Broadway Series ‘Parade’ marches to a fervent beat

KeyBank Broadway Series ‘Parade’ marches to a fervent beat

Less than 50 years following the Civil War deep resentments still plagued what had been known as the Confederate States of America. There is deep hatred against what were known as “carpetbaggers” who invaded the post war South in order to fill their own pockets. With slavery ended, citizens are forced to hire and pay wages to Blacks in order to work their farms and plantations as well as serve as domestic help for their houses.

Alfred Uhry (book) and Jason Robert Brown (music and lyrics) “Parade” is a musical dramatization of the 1913 trial, imprisonment and tragic aftermath of Jewish American Leo Frank in Atlanta, Georgia. The musical premiered on Broadway in December of 1998 winning two Tony Awards for best book and best original score (out of nine nominations) as well as six Drama Desk Awards. The touring show is firmly directed by Michael Arden with co-choreographers Lauren Yalango-Grant and Christopher Cree Grant doing a splendid job with the cast.

On April 23, 1913 (the day of the annual Memorial Day Parade in Atlanta, Georgia) fourteen year old Mary Phagan is found strangled in the basement of the National Pencil Company. Three primary suspects are taken into custody. The Black night watchman Newt Lee (Robert Knight), Black Janitor Jim Conley (Ramone Nelson) and Factory Director Leo Frank (Max Chernin). Lee and Conley are soon released and Frank is charged with the murder.

In spite of the fact that there is no physical evidence linking Frank to the crime he is convicted by the court on August 25, 1913. Four things stand out in his conviction. Multiple “witnesses” are coerced to lie in court, he is a college graduate (Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University in 1906), he is Jewish (President of the Atlanta chapter of the B’nai B’rith and he is a Yankee (raised in New York City who has married a Southern girl). City Prosecuting Attorney Hugh Dorsey (Andrew Samonsky) sees this case as a spring board to fame and fortune with talk of running for Governor being bandied about. He will stop at nothing to get a guilty verdict. To add fuel to the fire, failing alcoholic reporter Britt Craig (Michael Tacconi) sees the trial as a huge meal ticket and whips the masses into a frenzy with false evidence.

Leo’s wife, Lucille Frank (Talia Suskauer) refused to believe him guilty and as two years of appeals passes their way to the Supreme Court she decided to take matters into her own hands. Crashing a Governor’s Ball to dance with Governor Slaton (Chris Shyer) she tries to convince him to reexamine the case.

This is not your standard feel good musical. In fact it is quite jarring. The music is highly charged and emotional. The various members of the ensemble have a look of anger as they sing/shout the various songs. These are the proud Southern people of Atlanta, Georgia being represented and don’t you forget about it.

Shaker Heights High School Alum Max Chernin is compelling as Leo Frank as his trust in the legal system is shaken to the core. Talia Suskauer as his wife Lucille shows a rare kind of fortitude standing up for her husband. Both have amazing singing voices that truly shine when they perform duets. Andrew Samonsky as District Attorney Hugh Dorsey does a fine turn as the conniving public servant bent on furthering his own career. Lastly, there is Ramone Nelson as Black Janitor Jim Conley who is tasked with two incredible show stopping solos.

The stage set by Dane Laffrey is quite ingenious in its concept. There is a large centrally located high platform with rows of chairs on either side where members of the ensemble sit to pass judgment on the proceedings. Red, White and Blue bunting is draped across the middle stage area to add a patriotic flair. The costumes by Susan Hilferty and Mark Koss are period exact and truly add to the feel of the show. The back projections by Sven Ortel include scenes from 1913 Atlanta, Georgia along with a printed history of the trial as well as photos of the original participants to add depth to the show. Heather Gilbert’s lighting design further adds to the high drama on stage and coupled with Jon Weston’s sound design made for a truly impressive show.

For the live music the show relies on members of a traveling orchestra made up of Charlie Alterman (music director/conductor), Austin Davy (associate conductor/Keyboard 2), Thomas Michaels (Keyboard 1), Anthony Scandora (drums/percussion), Mark O’Kain (percussion), Kimberlee Wertz (music coordinator) and John Blane (Music Preparation) with local musicians Diana Pepelea-Vardi (violin/concertmaster), Callista Koh (Violin 2), Laura Shuster (viola), Linda Atherton (cello), Chris Vance (Bass) and Bill Shaffer (Keys 2 sub). Electronic music design is by Billy Jay Stein, Hiro lida for Strange Cranium. They are all superb musicians and technicians filling the large theater with vibrant sound.

This is an extremely intense show that is not for the weak of heart. At the entrances there is a disclaimer stating “Please be advised that this production includes themes of racism, antisemitism and historical connections to white supremacy. While these elements are employed to allow the story to unfold we do not condone or support such behavior in any form”. As the show was an opening night sell-out and will continue through its run it shows what the citizens of Northeast Ohio are made of...grit, tolerance and resolve.

The KeyBank Broadway Series production of “Parade” will be on stage in the Connor Palace Theatre on Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio through February 23, 2025. For more information and to purchase tickets go to http:www.playhousesquare.org or call (216) 241-6000.