On Campus: Harper College Director Talks 'Parade'

One hundred years after the tragedy on which it’s based, Harper College will stage its production of the Tony Award-winning musical “Parade.” The true story of an innocent man wrongly accused of murder, the show explores themes of bigotry, violence and anti-Semitism within the framework of American history.

“Parade” will be performed March 15-24 in the Performing Arts Center at Harper College, 1200 W. Algonquin Road in Palatine. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8 p.m.; Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 general admission and $12 for seniors. Due to mature content, “Parade” is not recommend for children under 13. For more information or to order tickets, contact the Harper College Box Office at 847.925.6100.

Kevin Long, Director of Theatre at Harper College and the director of “Parade,” talks about the significance of the show, its historical background and bringing a dramatic musical to the Harper stage.

How did you choose PARADE as this year's Spring show?

Kevin Long: The musical highlights the best and worst about America and humanity. Not only does it reveal a truly dark period of our history, but the show is also strongly relevant to our society today.  The mission statement of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center states, “Remember the Past, Transform the Future.” This is not an easy story to tell, but it is an important story to tell. I believe that in performing “Parade,” we are helping to transform the future so that an event like this never happens again.

The musical is based on true events. What is it about?

KL: “Parade” is about the true story of the trial and conviction of an innocent man. In 1913 Georgia, Jewish factory manager Leo Frank, already ostracized for his faith and Northern heritage, is accused of murdering a teenaged factory girl, Mary Phagan, on the day of the annual Confederate parade. After Leo is labeled guilty by almost everyone, a sensationalist publisher and a janitor’s false testimony seal his fate. 

The show’s powerful dialogue and rousing, yet haunting score illuminate a circus of conflicting accounts, false testimony and mishandled evidence in a town reeling with social and racial tension.

Do you think that the show discusses issues or contains lessons that are still relevant today?

KL: Through “Parade,” we can take the lessons learned and avoid repeating them again. We are living in a society that continues to become more and more divided: North vs. South, liberal vs. conservative, educated vs. non-educated, wealthy vs. poor, etc.  We as a society are still perpetuating wrongful stereotypes and participating in violent bullying based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, and more. Think of how many young people continue to end their lives because of intense bullying and hatred. We need to stop fearing others simply because they are “different” and accept the fact that there is but one race: the human race. The lessons of the Leo Frank case still have strong relevance today. I think the show challenges our students and our audience to take action. If you see this type of behavior, speak up and speak out.

Musicals are often considered to be "lighter" entertainment. Are there any challenges unique to staging a show that combines the musical format with its heavy subject matter?

KL: I enjoy working on musicals that are strongly character based – as this one is. In other words, even though it’s not natural for us to start singing in real life, this show, is so character driven that the need for the character to sing is so strong that you almost don’t realize they have started singing until they are well into the number. Also, actors have to affect change in another character at all times on stage. These characters NEED that music in order to do so. The cast size is 33, so that just presents challenges in terms of staging and costuming – as there are a lot of people involved. We are truly fortunate to have a great team working with me to meet the incredible demands of the show. I think our audiences are going to be incredibly moved.

Has the cast done any research on the real-life events or people that they are portraying? How has it informed their performances?

KL: Yes. This cast has performed a tremendous amount of research in order to effectively and respectfully tell this story. In addition, our dramaturg Dr. Richard Middleton-Kaplan, Professor of English and Humanities here at Harper, has been intimately involved with our production. He has provided significant research of the Jewish faith, the time period, and the actual events. In addition, at our first company meeting, I showed the cast the PBS documentary “The People vs. Leo Frank” which dramatizes the 1913 murder of Mary Phagan and the trial and lynching of Leo Frank. This was incredibly helpful to the cast. In addition, I have read several books and scholarship on the case and trial. All of this research helps to ground our performances in strong specifics that, in turn, will present a truly moving and authentic performance of this musical.

How has the experience of working with this cast been?

KL: This cast has been remarkable in their preparation and their dedication. They are supremely talented, but more importantly, the company and I have felt a profound sense of responsibility in bringing Leo and Lucille’s story to the stage. They are working so very hard. I couldn’t be more proud of them for taking this journey with me. They have grown tremendously throughout our process not only as performers, but also as people.