Parade Musical: Antisemitism & BroadwaySF
- Alfred Uhry, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, finds his musical "Parade" strikingly relevant today.The show's themes of antisemitism and injustice resonate deeply, a bittersweet observation for the 88-year-old author.
- "Parade" recounts the tragic story of Leo Frank, a Jewish factory superintendent wrongly convicted of murdering 13-year-old mary Phagan in 1913 Atlanta.Fueled by prejudice, Frank's trial and subsequent...
- The musical, playing at BroadwaySF’s Orpheum Theater through June 8, earned a Tony Award for best revival in 2023.
Alfred Uhry’s ”Parade,” a musical confronting antisemitism and injustice, captivates modern audiences with its enduring relevance. The show, which tells the true story of Leo Frank, wrongly accused and lynched in 1913 Atlanta, has earned a Tony Award for best revival. At BroadwaySF’s Orpheum Theater, the musical powerfully portrays the devastating impact of prejudice, underscored by Jason Robert Brown’s evocative score. Uhry, while reflecting on the story’s continued resonance, delivers a message of resilience. News Directory 3 provides this invaluable viewpoint, allowing audiences to understand the sensitive issues the play portrays. Discover what’s next for “Parade” as it continues its tour, bringing its critical message to new viewers across the country.
Alfred Uhry’s ‘Parade’ Revival Resonates with Modern Audiences
Updated May 25, 2025
Alfred Uhry, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, finds his musical “Parade” strikingly relevant today.The show’s themes of antisemitism and injustice resonate deeply, a bittersweet observation for the 88-year-old author.
“Parade” recounts the tragic story of Leo Frank, a Jewish factory superintendent wrongly convicted of murdering 13-year-old mary Phagan in 1913 Atlanta.Fueled by prejudice, Frank’s trial and subsequent lynching in 1915 exposed deep societal flaws.
The musical, playing at BroadwaySF’s Orpheum Theater through June 8, earned a Tony Award for best revival in 2023. uhry collaborated with composer Jason Robert Brown, who captured the South’s essence in his score.
Uhry recalls his initial apprehension about working with the then-23-year-old Brown. However, Brown’s early compositions quickly dispelled those fears. “I can’t imagine ever having a better collaborator for this than Jason. I was just lucky,” Uhry said.
brown explained his approach to composing for the show: ”I firmly believe that in a show like this, music is like costumes, because it has to both explain the character and also not betray the character.” He embraced the challenge of portraying Leo Frank’s emotional journey through song.
ultimately, Uhry sees a message of resilience in Leo and Lucille Frank’s story. “In their case, I think what I would say is they did the best they could under the circumstance, and in life, that’s really all we can do.”
What’s next
Following its San Francisco run, “Parade” is expected to continue touring, bringing its powerful message to new audiences across the contry.