On the morning of April 27, 1913 in Atlanta, GA, the body of a 13 year old girl named Mary Phagan was found brutally murdered in the basement of the pencil factory where she had recently been laid off. In a desperate attempt to close the books on the crime, her boss, Leo Frank, was indicted and convicted for the crime. Frank was an ideal fall guy due to his being Jewish and a northerner. This outsider status triggered a bloodlust and savagery in the community of Atlanta that led to the most devastating and tragic results. This is the story of Parade written by Alfred Uhry with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown. It opens tonight at the Omaha Community Playhouse.
I’ve seen and been involved with good shows, bad shows, and great shows. Above these categories lies a fourth category. To be in this category, the show must transcend the normal theatregoing experience with a uniqueness that can’t be defined. It’s either there or it isn’t. But when it’s there, it transforms the show into something truly magical. After last night’s show, I have added Parade to that fourth category.
Alfred Uhry has written an eminently tragic tale about the trial of Leo Frank. It is unafraid; boldly tackling ideas such as social justice, racism, anti-Semitism, and blind vengeance. While it is clearly a drama, it’s also a very realistic show as there are moments of happiness, fun, and laughter mixed in with the grief and tragedy. Uhry’s script is infinitely strengthened by the score of Jason Robert Brown who has infused the musical with some of the most haunting melodies I have ever heard.
Jeff Horger has helmed what might be the season’s best production with second to none direction and a nearly flawless cast. What I especially appreciated about Horger’s direction is that the focus is on the community. Yes, this is Leo Frank’s story, but the community is the central character as it’s the mentality and reactions of the citizenry that drives this series of events. The audience becomes part of this community through Horger’s staging which has the characters of the play sitting with them, melding them into one unit.
This cast is so loaded with talent that I would like nothing more than to write a 10 page review extolling all of their virtues. With that being said, some of the remarkable performances you’ll see are Adam Hogston as Brit Craig, a boozy, slimy reporter who sensationalizes the murder to the point where Frank would be unable to get a fair trial; Chloe Irwin who gives a spot on performance as Mary Phagan. Ms Irwin has an impressive range for one so young as she can be such a kid at one moment and move you to tears with her reactions during Mary’s funeral in the next.
Other mighty performances come from Melissa King as Mrs. Phagan who gives a tortured performance as the grieving mother highlighted by an incredible solo with “My Child Will Forgive Me”; Grant Mannschreck as Frankie Epps, Mary’s friend and suitor. Mannschreck has a strong, bright tenor that brought tears to my eyes with “It Don’t Make Sense”. Mike Palmreuter also shines as John Slaton, the governor who sets the chain of events into motion for political reasons, but tries to do the right thing in the end. Brian Priesman is menacing as Tom Watson, a hypocritical Bible thumper who knows how to stir up the masses.
One of the actors to watch out for is J. Isaiah Smith as Jim Conley. Smith just bleeds talent and charisma with his take on Conley. Smith’s Conley is a snarky, conniving piece of human garbage whose testimony is crucial to the conviction of Frank, but he just might be hiding secrets of his own. Smith darn near steals the show with two showstopping numbers: “That’s What He Said” and “Blues: Feel the Rain Fall’”. The latter song allows Smith to hit some searing and awesome falsettos.
Michael Markey gives a multilayered performance as Hugh Dorsey, Atlanta’s D.A. and prosecutor for Frank’s trial. Markey gives you the sense that he does want to see justice done, but he’s more worried about the political ramifications should he fail to find and convict a killer. When Frank is served up to him, he has absolutely no qualms about using coached testimony and suborned perjury to doom him. Markey also has a facile baritone well used in “Twenty Miles from Marietta” and “The Glory”.
Megan Kelly blew me away as Lucille Frank. Aptly described as “Jewish and southern”, Ms Kelly is every bit the Southern belle, but with a devout faith as well. She is also very real as her reactions and fears about Frank’s trial and the public’s reactions to her are dead on the mark. Ms Kelly also gets to show real strength as she overcomes those fears to stand by her husband’s side, best shown with her lovely alto in “You Don’t Know This Man”. Not only does she overcome her own fears, but she also overcomes Frank’s pigheadedness which she wonderfully describes in “Do It Alone” to give him the help he so desperately needs to obtain his freedom.
And in midst of all of this chaos is Leo Frank, incredibly essayed by James Verderamo. Verderamo is uncanny as Frank as he walks that line of making him a decent man, but not a likable man. Verderamo’s Frank is definitely a square peg in a round hole. He’s unhappy in Atlanta and would rather be back home in Brooklyn, NY. He’s a workaholic, anal, a bit arrogant, and easily flustered and frustrated. He is also smart, a gentleman, and well-mannered.
Verderamo depicts Frank’s high strung nature with a perpetual hunch in his shoulders and a constant massaging of his hands. He also has a scintillating tenor voice best used in “All The Wasted Time” and “Sh’ma”.
Jim Boggess and his orchestra find gold once more with a brilliant rendering of the score, not to mention the clever staging of their being on a balcony over the town to make them a band in the parade. Tim Burkhart & John Giblisco score with their sounds especially the wavy sound effects of an era microphone. Lindsay Pape’s costumes evoke the memories of early 1900s southern gear with the long dresses, three piece suits, and old time prison garb. Jim Othuse has designed a simple town square with lamps, crumbling wall, and balcony. And his lights suit the play’s emotions down to the ground with sad blues, angry reds, and dark shadows. Melanie Walters’ choreography shines especially in “Pretty Music” and “That’s What He Said”.
This is what theatre is all about. When it operates at its pinnacle, theatre is a galvanizing force for action. In his notes, Jeff Horger called this a historical piece and that is absolutely correct. For what is history, but a chance to learn from our mistakes so that we don’t repeat them.
Parade plays at the Omaha Playhouse from Feb 9-Mar 11. Showtimes are Thurs-Sat at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets cost $42 for adults and $25 for students. Due to mature themes, this show is not recommended for children. For tickets call 402-553-0800 or visit www.omahaplayhouse.com or www.ticketomaha.com. The Omaha Community Playhouse is located at 6915 Cass St in Omaha, NE.
Chris' Corner 