A Musical Singing History

The Kennedy Center presented the musical <Parade> from August 19 to September 7. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, the performance captivated audiences and critics with its powerful resonance.
Based on a true story which happened in Atlanta, Georgia in 1913, the musical depicts the new life of Leo Frank and Lucille Frank who get married and come to an unfamiliar neighborhood in the American South. Soon afterward, Leo is falsely accused of having committed a terrible crime and the couple must get through this. Despite social pressure and prejudice, the husband and wife count on each other to pursue truth and justice. Meanwhile, the small village’s madness and collectiveness shake individual lives. The musical conveys the message that even amid a historical tragedy, human dignity and the power of love still count and that to love, we must truly see one another.
Those around the couple also play important roles in forming the message of the performance. Mary Phagan, the victim of the crime, raises the tension of the story. Essie May and Monteen Stover, Southern girls in their late teens, add vigor to the vocals and dances. Hugh Dorsey, who appears at the court and public office, and Governor Slaton seriously contribute to the theme of social tension and justice accomplishment. Many other supporting and minor roles make the story more realistic, enabling the audience to experience different social classes and circumstances three-dimensionally.
The chorus numbers go beyond the harmony of different voices to overwhelm the audience with social madness and tension. The overlapping voices and instrument sounds generate a psychological resonance on the entire stage. On the edge of their seats, everyone seems so absorbed, expressing their tension and admiration at the same time. Solos and duets delicately unveil the main characters’ inner conflict and external pressure, naturally leading the audience to join their emotional flow. In Leo and Lucille’s duet, the couple’s mutual trust and love amid despair explode with the music. People get to focus on every breath they take, experiencing a dramatically touching moment firsthand. Such scenes highlight how a performance could provide the audience with a firsthand emotional experience and social reflection at the same time, not just reproducing history.
The musical was directed by Tony winner Michael Arden and written by Pulitzer and Oscar winner Alfred Uhry. Its music and lyrics are from three-time Tony winner Jason Robert Brown. Legendary director Harold Prince joined the production team, contributing to the perfection of the musical.
Critics have said that <Parade> is “as commanding as any musical revival to hit Broadway.” To the New Work Times, it is “a rousing, hopeful, deeply moving show.” The Washington Post also gave a favorable review, calling it “a phenomenal demonstration of the power of musical storytelling out of tragic history.”
The Kennedy Center’s production of <Parade>, which deals with historical tragedy and human dignity, could have a symbolic meaning because it demonstrates the potential of the performing arts to play its social role and to convey the messages of our times. Reminding us of past prejudice and discrimination, the musical asks us about how we understand and love each other today. It makes clear that a performance isn’t just to be on stage; a performance has the power to share the voices of our times and to touch human hearts.