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The true story of what happened when 13-year-old Mary Phagan.

Tuesday May 11, 2004.     By Colin Douglas

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Bailiwick Repertory, 1229 W. Belmont
Tickets: (773)883-1090
Through May 29

The audience’s first impression of Parade is a series of colorful American Primitive-style panels depicting a happy, musical theater version of the Georgian countryside. That set belies the dramatic story that is to come.

The set is also dominated by a large, full oak tree, upon which a Confederate soldier is carving his sweetheart’s name before going off to war. That same tree will be the scene of the play’s final, shockingly tragic moment. Even as the rousing music segues from 1862 to a patriotic parade in 1913 Atlanta, the audience may still expect a cheery, romantic portrayal of a bygone era.

But then we meet Leo Frank who sings about how he hopes to wake and find that being in Atlanta is just a bad dream. He wonders how he can survive with “people who make me tense.” Leo has reason to be tense: he is a Jewish Yankee, transplanted from Brooklyn to live in Atlanta with his loving wife, Lucille. Listening carefully to his lyrics foreshadows the tragedy that is to come.

Bailiwick presents the Chicago premiere of this Tony Award-winning musical. Parade tells the true story of what happened when 13-year-old Mary Phagan, a young employee of Leo Frank’s pencil company, was found murdered in the factory’s basement on Memorial Day in 1913. In sharp contrast to the play’s tragic events (the discovery of the grisly murder, and Leo’s unjust arrest, conviction and imprisonment) are the rousing, vaudevillian songs and dances, performing the double duty of furthering the story, while pointing up the horror that is happening to Frank; the jarring juxtaposition of this circus-like atmosphere is played against southern prejudice and political corruption. Any production’s true strength originates in its casting. Here David Zak is fortunate to have a very talented ensemble, headed by Nicholas Foster and Amy Arbizanni in the leading roles. What is not expressed in Brown’s moving lyrics and music and Uhry’s book, can be found in each of these two masterful, young performers’ eyes. Their love that begins as mutual respect and blossoms into an aching need for each other is played with honesty and dignity. As Leo, Mr. Foster shows bewilderment and strength as the tragic events unfold before him. His bad dream becomes a nightmare and, especially during the horrific trial scene, we watch Frank change before our eyes. Ms. Arbizanni’s wonderful Lucille is a devoted southern wife who discovers to what lengths she is willing to go for love. Strong singing and a commanding presence make Lucille notable, right up to the chilling climax. The rest of the ensemble, especially Jamie Axtell, as Hugh Dorsey, prosecuting attorney, Randolph Johnson as Newt Lee, the factory night watchman and Sean Reid as Britt Craig, a newspaper reporter with aspirations all shine individually and collectively.

This energetic cast of 30 literally overflows the small stage and spills into the audience on several occasions. In doing so, David Zak passionately brings this moving story right into the laps of his audience. A five-piece instrumental combo, under the capable direction of Alan Bukowiecki, provides the perfect musical accompaniment for this noteworthy musical drama.