When the standard pre-show announcement prohibiting the use of cameras and cell phones is delivered by Georgia Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock, you know something special is about to transpire. Indeed, Parade, the award-winning musical playing at the Fisher Theatre through March 9, is an extraordinary portrayal of a heartrending true story.
The wrongful conviction and subsequent lynching of Jewish factory owner Leo Frank, accused of raping and murdering 13-year-old Mary Phagan in early 1930s Georgia, is an improbable topic for a Broadway musical, let alone a revival. But Parade brings this grim tale to life in a way that captivates audiences and leaves much to contemplate after the curtain falls.
Based on the original 1998 production, the 2023 version won Tony Awards for Best Revival of a Musical and Best Direction (by Michael Arden). The acclaimed creative team includes Alfred Uhry (book), Jason Robert Brown (music and lyrics) and the legendary Harold Prince, who co-conceived the show.
Some scenes are hard to watch, especially because we know there will be no last-minute reprieve or happy ending. One such example is Leo’s shambolic trial, where each witness recites a litany of well-rehearsed lies. And, unlike the recent production of To Kill a Mockingbird, which depicts the wrongful conviction of an innocent Black man in the South, there is no comic relief to counteract the grim subject matter.
A show this intense requires a strong cast, and these talented actors, including six members of the original Broadway company, deliver compelling performances at every level.
Max Chernin and Talia Suskauer are outstanding as Leo and Lucille Frank, both individually and in their shared scenes. Chernin, who understudied the lead role played by Ben Platt on Broadway, convincingly transforms from an arrogant Brooklyn transplant into a humble man who comes to a new appreciation for his wife and their deepening bond. Suskauer portrays Lucille as more than the devoted wife who brings dinner to Leo’s prison cell each evening; she is also a smart, resourceful woman who works tirelessly to get her husband’s conviction overturned.
Other impressive performances include Pinckney native Olivia Goosman as murder victim Mary Phagan, Jack Roden as Frankie Epps, Mary’s teenage suitor and
Ramone Nelson, who portrays the nefarious janitor, Jim Conley. With his buff build and powerful pipes, his rendition of the bluesy “Feel the Rain Fall” is a highlight of the show.
The Grammy-nominated score ranges from poignant ballads (“You Don’t Know This Man” by Lucille), to moving duets (“This Is Not Over Yet” by Leo and Lucille) to lively group numbers (“How Can I Call This Home” and the powerful “Where Will You Stand When the Flood Comes?”).
The multi-level set is dominated by a large wooden platform that transforms from a courtroom to the Frank’s home to Leo’s prison cell to the ballroom of the governor’s mansion, with additional action taking place on either side. Video projections provide background for the various scenes and display photos of the real people, locations and newspaper headlines, a chilling reminder that these horrific events are part of our country’s history.
Sadly, with anti-Semitism rising exponentially across our country, Parade is timelier than ever before. The tragic story of Leo Frank is an important reminder of what can happen when hate and ignorance replace tolerance and truth, when good people fail to stand up to evil. This masterful theatrical production with a vital message should not be missed.
Parade runs through Sunday, March 9 at the Fisher Theatre, 3011 W. Grand Blvd. in Detroit.
