It would be hard to imagine a more tuneful and lush history lesson than what comprises “Parade,” the musical on tour at San Francisco’s Orpheum that recounts the relatively unknown 1913 trial of Leo Frank, a Jewish American facing trumped up murder charges in antisemitic Georgia.
It has an impressive pedigree, too. Written by Alfred Uhry of “Driving Miss Daisy” fame, with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown (“The Bridges of Madison County”) and conceived by Harold Prince, this Tony-winning 2023 revival of the 1998 show (which won best book and score Tonys) boasts an ensemble of excellent singers and clever direction by Tony winner Michael Arden.
This production, featuring backdrops with images of evidence from the case, clearly details the travesty of justice surrounding the real-life trial of Frank, an executive at a pencil factory accused of killing Mary Phagan, a teen who worked there.
Much of the action takes place upon a center-stage platform (scene design by Dane Laffrey), which, at various points, serves as the home of Leo and his wife Lucille; the courtroom where Leo is tried; and the prison where he serves time.
With opera-like heft, the performers in “Parade” reveal their characters via song. At the outset, Max Chernin as Leo shares how he’s an uncomfortable New York Jew living in his wife’s Southern city in “How Can I Call This Home?” Later, during his trial he reiterates his innocence (“It’s hard to speak my heart”) and, finally, he and Lucille (the strong, strident Talia Suskauer) reaffirm their love in “All the Wasted Time,” the show’s poppiest number.
Those portraying the purveyors of injustice are equally strong: Andrew Samonsky as the prosecutor; Chris Shyer as Georgia’s governor; Michael Tacconi as a reporter; Griffin Binniker as the newspaper publisher; Ramone Nelson as the factory’s janitor; Robert Knight as the night watchman; and Emily Rose DeMartino, Bailee Endebrock and Sophia Manicone as factory girls who make false claims against Leo.
Also notable are Evan Harrington as a Confederate soldier who sings the scene-setting prologue “The Old Red Hills of Home”; Jack Roden as Mary’s effusive sweetheart (sounding great in “It Don’t Make Sense”); and Olivia Goosman as 13-year-old Mary.
The energetic chorus confidently and convincingly portrays the outcrying public, harmonically illustrating how power and politics breed oppression and cruelty in the 20th century American South, and, of course, today and always throughout the world.
With meaty (though not particularly memorable) tunes from gospel to ballads, and succinct dialogue, “Parade”—the name comes from the 1913 Confederate Memorial Day Parade that takes place the same day as Mary’s demise—brings to light a sensational and sad point in America’s past. It may not necessarily evoke the most intense emotion, but it’s a valuable education, at the theater, at that!
“Parade” runs through June 8 at the Orpheum Theatre, 1192 Market St., San Francisco. Tickets are $60 to $254 at broadwaysf.com or (888) 746-1799.
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