Weathervane Playhouse’s ‘Parade’ defines heavy drama

I have to admit. This is one of the most difficult reviews that I have ever written. Not because the show is bad, on the contrary it is one of the best produced musicals ever. With a multi generational cast of 43 and 32 musical numbers it is the most complex and ambitious works I think Weathervane Playhouse has ever put on stage. The fact of the matter is this show is jarring and one that will stay with you for days following. The show is aptly directed and choreographed by Joshua Larkin.

“Parade” is the 1998 Broadway show that features book by Alfred Uhry with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown. It was nominated for nine Tony Awards winning Best Book and Best Original Score it also won six Drama Desk Awards.

The musical is a true dramatization of the 1913 trial of Jewish factory manager Leo Frank (Tony Heffner) who was accused and convicted of raping and murdering a thirteen year old employee, Mary Phagan (Ella Embry). In spite of no physical evidence the conviction was made on sensationalized hearsay by “witnesses” who had been coached by the prosecuting attorney, Hugh Dorsey (Jordan Potter). The trial ratcheted up already high antisemitic and “Yankee” feelings in the south and Atlanta and the state of Georgia in particular as the rest of the country condemned the proceedings.

It begins with a young Confederate Soldier during the American Civil War as he bids farewell to his sweetheart before going off to fight for “The Old Red Hills of Home”. The scene segues to 1913 as the soldier is now a one legged veteran, (Rick Cordaro) preparing to “march” in the annual Confederate Memorial Day Parade.

We are introduced to Leo Frank who is the factory manager of a pencil factory in Atlanta, Georgia. Frank is a Jewish man from Brooklyn who is deeply uncomfortable living in the south. In spite of his position at the factory he senses deep prejudice due to his religion, education and cultural differences. Leo is married to Lucille (Gia Maglione) who is a rare Jewish Georgian who has lived in Atlanta all her life and is totally assimilated to the local culture. She is an unhappy wife who feels unappreciated by her husband who is more wrapped up in his work than home. In truth, Leo simply wants to build a nest egg so that they can start their family and that is where his loyalty currently lies.

Lucille has planned a picnic for Memorial Day but Leo insists on going into work on the holiday that he does not recognize. Meanwhile, Frankie Epps (Anthony Nuñez) is flirting with Mary Phagan as they ride the trolley. Frank invites Mary to the movies as she playfully resists. Mary leaves to go collect her final paycheck from the pencil factory.

Mary arrives at the empty factory for her paycheck then leaves. That evening police detective J. N. Starnes (Dana Lee) and Officer Ivey (Gus Korogi) arrive at Leo and Lucille's house. Without giving reason, they force Leo to accompany them to the factory where he is shown the body of Mary in the basement who had been found by the night watch man Newt Lee (Kevin Gilbaldi). Both men are arrested but not charged and taken to the police station. Under interrogation Lee proclaims his innocence while accidentally directing suspicion on Leo due to him not answering his phone the night of the murder.

Career drunk and reporter Britt Craig (Colin Cook) sees the murder as a career-making story. At the funeral he interviews the various townspeople who are angry, mournful and baffled by the tragedy. Also on the scent is Tom Watson (Keon Dalziel) editor of the extremest right wing paper “The Jeffersonian” who swears revenge.

The Governor, John Slaton (Rob Albrecht) puts pressure on prosecuting attorney Hugh Dorsey (Jordon Potter) to solve the case. With Starnes and Ivey they again interrogate Newt Lee with no results. Dorsey reasons that “hanging another Nigra ain’t enough this time. We gotta do better”. The focus is now on Leo as Starnes is sent to find “evidence” even if it has to be manufactured. Craig then starts a series of newspaper articles set to vilify Leo.

Leo is allowed to see his attorney, Luther Z. Rosser (Gregory Hofmeister) who vows to get the case thrown out due to insufficient evidence. Dorsey meanwhile makes a deal with the factory janitor and ex-convict Jim Conley to testify against Leo in exchange for immunity for a previous prison escape.

Lucille breaks down from the strain of dealing with the publicity and neighbors. On a visit to Leo she admits that she cannot bear to attend his trial. Leo begs her to attend as her absence would confirm his guilt. The trial begins with Judge Roan (Roland Moore) presiding as an angry mob gathers outside. As the parade of prejudicial witnesses are worked through Leo realizes how much secret hatred his neighbors had against him. Frankie testifies that Mary said that Leo “looked at her funny” as do three of Mary’s friends and co-workers Iola Stover (Mira Cahalane), Essie (Maddie Cugini) and Monteen (Mia Renard). In a fantasy sequence, Leo becomes lecherous as he seduces the girls. Leo and Lucille’s house keeper Minnie McKnight (Jerald Lynn Beard) testifies that Leo was abusive to his wife and on the night of the murder came home agitated.

The most damning testimony comes from Jim Conley (Anthony Woods-Mitchell) who claims he saw the murder and helped Leo move the body to the basement. Dorsey whips up the courtroom into a frenzy and in desperation, Leo delivers a heartfelt plea for the jury to believe him. In spite of his statement he is found guilty and sentenced to hang. The mob outside breaks out into a jubilant dance.

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This is a top notch production. Along with the exceptional ensemble work there are some distinct standouts. First off Gia Maglione and Tony Heffner as Lucille and Leo Frank show real acting ability as an at first estranged couple who grow to love and appreciate each other. Theirs is a true and wonderful chemistry. Rick Cordaro as the Old Soldier has tremendous acting chops. Rob Albrecht as Governor John Slaton acts, sings and dances with ease. Anthony Woods-Mitchell as Jim Conley stops the show with not one but two fantastic numbers. Jordan Potter as the despicable Hugh Dorsey is the man you love to hate as he manipulates people to do his bidding.

Steven A. Miller does a great job as music director of a small (five piece) orchestra. The lighting design by Micah Harvey is superb as well as the sound design by Kevin Lambes. Richard Morris, Jr. has designed a fascinating revolving stage. Jasen J. Smith has designed the costuming that perfectly matches the era from head to toe. The attention to detail is astounding right down to the shoes (although the use of a zipper in the Confederate soldier’s pants made me smile). Props also go to Brooke Larkin as intimacy director.

This is an intense watch as the tension is developed early and built on throughout the show. Weighing in at a little over two and a half hours with a twenty minute intermission the time flies by. Weathervane Playhouse has a monster hit on their hands whose complexity will amaze you.

The Weathervane Playhouse production of “Parade” will be on stage at 1301 Weathervane Lane in Akron through July 12, 2026. for more information and to order tickets go to http://wwwweathervaneplayhouse.com or call (330) 836-2626.