WHAT: Parade
WHERE: Seacoast Rep
BLURB: A story to reflect on, wrapped in polished art
HIGH POINT: The plethora of superb performances
Parade is captivating - story and production. Now, strap in and get ready for an avalanche of favorable adjectives ahead.
Parade, with music by Jason Robert Brown and book by Alfred Uhry, is the true story of Leo Frank, a Jewish factory superintendent, who in 1913, Georgia, was convicted of murdering a 13-year-old girl and sentenced to hang.
The trial was both sensational and controversial, and of national interest.
Two years after Frank's sentencing, the facts of the crime were reexamined, due largely to the relentless vigilance of his wife, Lucille. With much of the evidence now in question, his sentence was reduced to life in prison.
The change gave Frank (Jason Faria) and Lucille (Jennifer Sue Rockwell) hope they'd see a day when Frank was free. But, it all crashed when a group of prominent men kidnapped Frank from his jail cell and murdered him.
This play is about the ugliest side of mankind, antisemitism, racism, self-righteousness, avarice and deceit. It's also about honor, and love.
Parade is "theater of the bleak truth." There's no happy-ending here. What there is though, is incredible art along its journey, from script to production, that enraptures and actually offers entertainment, thanks to the inspired talent on stage.
As a sung-through piece there are no catchy little tunes, though a fair number of rousing ones and even the humorous piece. The eclectic score and lyrics, deftly performed by eight talented musicians, led by Music Director William Asher, moves the tale along brilliantly.
Directors Ben Hart and Brandon James work it with an even and easy hand. The pace and staging are judicious, and the characters well realized.
The performances are something to behold, and the voices, singularly and as an ensemble near perfection.
Jason Faria simply is Leo. It's a sympathetic performance, always reading spontaneous and real. His move through the character's trajectory from the cold, assured, demanding and arrogant, to the lost, defeated, grateful, and loving man is sublime. Faria's entire body reads as Leo, and perfectly conveys his journey.
Jennifer Sue Rockwell, as Lucille is equally
perfect, rich and deep, and thoroughly believable and touching. Here again is a smooth move through the character's arch. Rockwell's performance makes this role something special.
In addition, the relationship between Lucille and Leo carries an incredible weight given Rockwell's and Faria's performance. And the voices? Luminous.
This show has lots of reasons to attend, with this pair at the forefront.
There are so many smashing performances in this production, from key figure to ensemble member. Christopher Hobson delivers an exciting, and electric portrayal of the cheeky, and unnerving Jim Conley. Tobin Moss is flawless as Governor Slaton. Jamie Bradley gives a thoroughly believable take as Hugh Dorsey.
Kudos to Grace Dalton as Mary Phagan, Jacob Anspach as Frankie Epps, Alyssa Dumas as Mrs. Phagan, and to Heather Conti-Clark as Iola, along with the guards, the judge, lawyers, townspeople, police, - you get the idea.
Joshua Lapierre as Britt Craig certainly brings the energy his quirky character demands. He delivers a lot of strong elements, and hits those notes. The crowd loves him and his rousing "Real Big News." But somehow he never feels fully authentic till his touching, strong, final scene. Directors' choice may be part of the equation.
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