Parade

 Parade
New York City Center
Annual Gala Presentation
November 3, 2022 

Photos courtesy of New York City Center

The New York City Center Annual Gala Presentation of Parade is flawless.  Jason Robert Brown magnificently conducts his lavish score, passionately depicting a distinctive setting and bringing to life vibrant characters.  Alfred Uhry’s 1998 book shines bright in the light of our present day sensitivities.  Director Michael Arden stages the production on a simple unit set.  The action continually move, building dramatically to reveal the truth, not only for the main characters, but for the beliefs of the people of Georgia.

Leo Frank (played by Ben Platt) is transplanted to Marietta, Georgia when his wife’s uncle offers him a job.  Leo is a Jew from Brooklyn.  His wife, Lucille (played by Micaela Diamond) is a Jew from Georgia.  They were raised in the same faith, but it’s as if they are from different lands.  Leo feels out of place in Marietta, and Lucille wants him to slow down and enjoy the southern way of life, including the Memorial Day Parade, which celebrates the efforts of the Confederate Soldiers during the Civil War.  When the body of Mary Phagan, a 14 year old girl (played by Erin Rose Doyle) is found dead in the basement of Leo’s factory, his is arrested and found guilty of murder.  He is sentenced to death, yet continually maintains his innocence.  Lucille makes a strong appeal to Governor Slaton (played by Sean Allan Krill).  He investigates the testimony of the witnesses in Leo’s trial, and uncovers inconsistencies and lies.  He repeals Leo’s sentence to life in prison, but the good citizens of Marietta have another plan in mind.

Micaela Diamond & Ben Platt
Photo courtesy of New York City Center

Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond are brilliant as Leo and Lucille Frank.  Leo holds a conservative point of view of their roles in the marriage, therefore does not have much faith in his wife.  Lucille steps up to help Leo when all hope seems lost.  Ms. Diamond rises in that moment.  Her character defies her husband’s expectations.  Mr. Platt and Ms. Diamond become united in these moments.  They achieve a genuine bond, which propels the story through to the end.  Jason Robert Brown’s songs in the second act for these two characters are passionate and visceral, reflecting the deepening of their relationship.  These songs soar with emotion, as Mr. Platt and Ms. Diamond voices blend and fill the expansive City Center auditorium with joy and abandon.

Photo courtesy of New York City Center

The intimate story of Leo and Lucille Frank takes place within the value system of the old south, which includes the need to defend that way of life at all cost.  This production will make you stop and realize how little we have progressed in the past decades, and how vital it is to continue to push forward.  

Jason Robert Brown’s score requires a large cast of superb voices in order to be performed successfully.  This cast exceeds all expectation, delivering brilliance throughout the show.   

Parade is playing at City Center through November 6.  Don’t miss it! 

Domenick Danza

Angel Reapers

Angel Reapers

Signature Theatre

The Pershing Square Signature Center

March 6, 2016

Photo courtesy of Signature Theatre

Angel Reapers is a collaborative project between Martha Clarke and Alfred Uhry presently running at Signature Theatre’s Pershing Square Signature Center.  When you enter the theatre, you are on the set, which is a Shaker Meeting House.  Ladder back chairs are sporadically placed, and one male character is seated in meditation.  Right away you sense this experience is going to be unique and intimate.  With equal seating on two sides of the playing area, you are ready to be drawn into the lifestyle, worship, and beliefs of the Shaker community.  The next hour and ten minutes does not disappoint, yet the experience is not as uplifting as you would hope.

Photo courtesy of Signature Theatre

One by one the characters enter the meeting house dressed in identical costumes that remind you of the Amish or Puritans.  You get a sense of some individuality by their walk and pace.  After an interval of silence, a joyful laugh spreads from character to character.  This leads to song (The Shaker Hymn, “Simple Gifts”) and a sharing of the belief and rules they live by.  The story is told through movement, song, and short snippets of dialogue and monologue that offer insight into what makes this community strong.  You also find that they are united not only in their beliefs and joy of a simple life, but in their shame and isolation.

Photo courtesy of Signature Theatre

Ms. Clarke’s movement patterns are structured and rhythmic.  The staccato stomping and clapping is counterbalanced by sweeping, graceful movement illustrating the dichotomy of the community’s lifestyle.  The ensemble carefully creates unity and conformity while offering brief glimpses into their individuality.  This is the wonder of the piece.  You get an almost desperate sense of their underlying need for personal connection, while getting an even stronger sense of fulfillment in compliance.  It is when you see two characters ostracized and banished for breaking away that you gain another layer of understanding of the fear that keeps them together.

In this production Martha Clarke offers a visceral insight into the lives of the Shaker community.  It is simple, yes, but hardly joyous.  Angel Reapers has been extended through March 20.

 

Domenick Danza