Atlanta-based musical ‘Parade’ comes house

Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA.
April 1, 2025.

Tony-Award successful musical, Parade, has arrived in Atlanta, the town the place the true story unfolded. Leo Frank, a New York Jew, and Lucille, his southern Jewish bride, are struggling to make a life within the “previous crimson hills of Georgia.” When Leo is accused of an unspeakable crime, they’re propelled into an unimaginable check of religion, humanity, justice and devotion.

There was one thing particularly shifting about watching Parade on the Fox Theatre, understanding the whole lot of its historical past came about simply minutes down the street. This revival manufacturing utilized projected pictures of the actual individuals who impressed the present, together with photos of previous newspaper headlines from the trial – a poignant reminder that these had been actual occasions with lasting impression, and of Director Michael Arden’s dedication to doing the story justice.

Max Chernin portrayed Leo Frank. Chernin was a part of the unique revival solid, and clearly dealt with Leo with care. His mannerisms encapsulated what you may anticipate of a “good Jewish boy” – well mannered, hardworking and reserved – all whereas floundering to seek out his place within the South after relocating from Brooklyn. His vocals had been unmatched, carrying the feelings of the present with precision. A standout second was in Leo’s assertion: “It’s onerous to talk my coronary heart.” Chernin earnestly pled his case earlier than the jury, feelings spilling out in full transparency, ending with admitting he was “terribly afraid.” Throughout intermission, Chernin remained onstage in his jail uniform whereas pacing the jail cell – a robust reminder that his destiny nonetheless hung within the stability whereas the viewers went about their intermission enterprise.

Talia Suskauer performed Leo’s spunky higher half, Lucille. Her marriage to Leo started with considerably platonic undertones. Leo, targeted on constructing the enterprise to offer for his or her new household, appeared to hold his professionalism into the wedding relationship. Suskauer remained the loyal spouse, however as Leo’s case progressed, so did her hearth to defend him. As Act II started, their marriage grew to become a a lot stronger theme, and Suskauer’s vocals, and character improvement, shone. “Do It Alone” was the turning level, as Sauskauer now made her case earlier than Leo that she was prepared and able to preventing for him. Suskauer was the right stability to Chernin – each in vocals and character.

Lauren Yalango-Grant and Christopher Cree Grant had been co-choreographers. Whereas Parade might not have flashy dance numbers, motion was an intricate a part of the efficiency. Most notably, the solid “paraded” in some type or trend all through the present. The set offered three ranges, and whereas a lot of the principle motion came about on the middle, tallest, degree, the remainder of the solid would transfer up, down, and round, including to the rising pressure. One other methodology utilized was “shadowing.” Throughout the court docket proceedings, as one character would inform their facet of the case, Leo would shadow their actions and mouth their phrases. I discovered it an interesting approach to reiterate his dependency on others’ testimonies. There have been additionally quite a few scenes of slow-motion motion, significantly through the trial. These had been executed with such excellency; I can’t think about the rehearsal time to take action!

Because the present got here to an in depth, one closing side of the choreography sticks with me. Whereas up thus far, the solid had paraded round Leo’s unfolding trial, within the closing quantity they stood in a unified line as Leo slowing walked in entrance of them – a solo parade. The town during which he discovered himself an outsider had perpetually condemned him as one. Leo’s story lives on over a century later, and serves as a well timed reminder that although the fiery, usually unfair, trials of life might come, religion, hope and love endure.