Set in early 20th-century Georgia, Parade centers on Leo Frank, a Jewish factory manager falsely accused of murdering a young girl. As the legal proceedings unfold, his wife Lucille emerges as a powerful force, confronting injustice and deep-seated prejudice. The story navigates themes of faith, identity, and moral conviction, unfolding against a backdrop of systemic bias and social unrest in the American South.
The production is directed by Tony Award® winner Michael Arden (Once on This Island, Spring Awakening), with a book by Alfred Uhry (Driving Miss Daisy), who is a two-time Tony Award® winner, Pulitzer Prize recipient, and Academy Award® winner. Music and lyrics are by Jason Robert Brown (The Last Five Years, Bridges of Madison County), a three-time Tony Award® winner known for his complex musical compositions. The show was co-conceived by Harold Prince, the late theatrical visionary with 21 Tony Awards® to his name.
Originally premiering in 1998, Parade has received renewed attention for its historical resonance and powerful staging. This revival incorporates a full ensemble cast and a richly orchestrated score, with period costumes and minimal yet evocative staging designed to foreground the emotional and political stakes of the narrative.