STILL WAITING FOR JUSTICE
At its heart, Parade is a gripping exploration of prejudice, justice, and the power of perception. This Tony Award-winning revival, directed by Michael Arden, is based on the true story of Leo Frank (Max Chernin), a Jewish factory superintendent in early 20th-century Atlanta who is falsely accused of the rape and murder of thirteen-year-old Mary Phagan (played with charm by Olivia Goosman). As a community still reeling from its Civil War defeat seeks someone to blame, Frank—an outsider from Brooklyn—becomes the scapegoat. His trial, marred by media sensationalism, political ambition, and deep-seated antisemitism, exposes the cracks in the American justice system. His wife, Lucille (Talia Suskauer), emerges as a fierce advocate, ultimately helping to secure a commutation of his death sentence—though not his life.
Trevor James and company
The National Touring Company of PARADE
This production is operatic in its presentation, driven by Jason Robert Brown’s powerful, rhythmically relentless score. The music shifts between the sharp staccato of snare drums, somber piano chords, and, most strikingly, the percussive clang of a chain gang’s pickaxes. The vocals are stunning, with Chernin and Suskauer delivering emotionally charged performances, while Ramone Nelson’s show-stopping “Feel the Rain Fall” as Jim, the only witness who refuses to recant his false testimony, is a standout moment.
Chris Shyer (center) and company
Bailee Endebrock, Sophia Manicone and Emily Rose DeMartino
Arden’s direction makes the complex historical narrative clear, showing how journalists, politicians, and grieving citizens manipulate the rule of law to secure Frank’s conviction. Governor Slaton (Chris Shyer), bowing to a national letter-writing campaign and Lucille’s determined pleas, reopens the case. His investigation exposes the gross injustice behind Frank’s conviction. But the victory is short-lived—vigilante forces take matters into their own hands, leading to the tragic conclusion.
Danielle Lee Greaves and Talia Suskauer
Talia Suskauer and Max Chernin
Despite its dark themes, Parade finds moments of beauty, particularly in the evolving relationship between Leo and Lucille. Their marriage, once strained, transforms into a genuine partnership, adding emotional weight to Frank’s fate.
The National Touring Company of PARADE
Michael Tacconi
While the production effectively highlights the dangers of scapegoating and mob mentality, its repeated framing through Confederate Memorial Day feels forced. Though Mary Phagan was murdered on that day, the implication that Frank’s lynching was somehow tied to lingering Civil War resentments oversimplifies a broader history of antisemitism and societal injustice. Yet, even with this framing choice, the sheer emotional and intellectual impact of Parade is undeniable. It is a deeply affecting, thought-provoking theatrical experience that resonates long after the final note fades.
photos by Joan Marcus
Parade
national tour
ends on March 23, 2025 at Boston’s Emerson Colonial Theatre
for tickets, visit Emerson Colonial
for more cities and dates, visit Parade
