Ostracized for his faith and northern heritage, jewish factory manager leo frank is accused of murdering a teenaged factory girl the day of the annual confederate memorial day parade. Parade tells the heartwrenching, true story of leo frank. Writers theatre in glencoe is performing the tony awardwinning musical, parade, about a jewish man, leo frank, wrongly accused of murder in 19. Parade recommended reading list arden theatre company. In 19, frank was convicted of murdering mary phagan, a year old employee of the atlanta pencil factory that frank managed. With a book by acclaimed playwright alfred uhry driving miss daisy and a rousing, colorful and haunting score by jason robert brown songs for a new world, the last five years, bridges of madison county, parade is a moving examination of the darkest corners of americas history. Dec 12, 2019 tayler plays leo frank, the doomed protagonist in jason robert browns haunting musical parade, which runs through dec. Parade director jeff horger called it more of a heightened dramatization than a historical portrayal, but said it was a helpful reference regarding the group scenes that take place within this world. With a book by acclaimed playwright alfred uhry driving miss daisy and a. The single most famous lynching in american history remains that of leo frank, a jewish factory superintendent in atlanta, convicted in 19 of murdering mary phagan. Point park universitys spring production of parade, a musical that pushes the jewish agenda about leo frank, a jewish sweatshop owner convicted of the 19 sex killing of mary phagan, a yearold white girl in his employ, has been postponed indefinitely following protests by some conservatory theatre students. Full text of leo frank parade the musical see other formats unamerican subversive theatre.
Leo frank was the manager of the atlanta pencil factory where she was working and where she was found murder. Parade, the leo frank broadway musical becomes international cult sensation if you asked one of your friends, acquaintances, or family members, whether or not theyve heard of the musical called parade, chances are most people would likely shake their heads and say something along the lines of. A musical revolving around the murder of leo frank the only lynching of a jew in the long, sad history of the american south. On april 27, 19, a young girl, mary phagan, was found strangled at the national pencil factory in atlanta.
The musical premiered on broadway in december 1998 and won tony awards for best book and best original score out of nine nominations and six drama desk awards. Written by alfred uhry with music and lyrics by jason robert brown, the show was first done in 1998, and tells the story of the trial and. Parade presented by moonbox productions artsboston calendar. This two part mini series from 1988 stars jack lemmon as governor slaton and peter gallagher as leo frank. The tragic, true story of the trial and lynching of a man wrongly accused of. Parade parade performance guide kent state university. The outstanding and gutwrenching production of parade thats just opened at writers theatre revolves around the. Leo frank american factory superintendent britannica.
The tony awardwinning musical drama parade is based on the true story of leo franks trial and lynching in early 20thcentury atlanta. Parade went on to win tonys for both browns score and alfred uhrys book. Parade is rife with antisemitism but with the brief opening scene a young confederate soldier going off to war against the yanks it also establishes that grudges were still held not only against black americans but also by southerners against the northerners. Muhm, francis leo frank services for frank muhm, originally scheduled for 314, have been postponed. It was to be directed by tony and emmywinning director choreographer rob ashford. Parade book by alfred uhry and music and lyrics by jason robert brown is based on the 19 rape and murder of yearold mary phagan and the subsequent arrest, trial, sentencing, and lynching of jewish factory superintendent leo frank.
Jan 04, 2020 point park universitys spring production of parade, a musical that pushes the jewish agenda about leo frank, a jewish sweatshop owner convicted of the 19 sex killing of mary phagan, a yearold white girl in his employ, has been postponed indefinitely following protests by some conservatory theatre students. His trial and death shaped the nascent antidefamation league adl and spurred the first resurgence of the ku klux klan kkk. His lynching two years later, in response to the commutation of his death sentence, became the focus of social, regional, political, and racial concerns, particularly regarding antisemitism. Nonetheless, in parade pulitzer prize winning playwright alfred uhry and composer jason robert brown took. I read this book as research for an upcoming production of parade. Jul 10, 2011 parade picks the seasons 12 best books. Alfred uhrys awardwinning book and jason continued. Leo frank, a brooklynraised jewish factory manager in georgia, is accused of an unthinkable crime.
The account reads like a law and order episode gone terribly wrong. The leo frank case has inspired multiple portrayals on the big and small screens and on the stage and has been written about in many books. Musical parade recounts a real american tragedy theater. Wikipedia biased on behalf of leo frank leo frank case archive. His trial, conviction, and appeals attracted national attention. Apr, 2020 leo frank, american factory superintendent whose conviction in 19 for the murder of mary phagan resulted in his lynching. The leo frank case by leonard dinnerstein indeed, this particular book by leonard dinnerstein on the leo frank saga can be said to be clearly written on behalf of leo frank and takes the position that he was framed because of prevalent antisemitism endemic in the fabric of western civilization. Parade is a musical with a book by alfred uhry and music and lyrics by jason robert brown. Exploring a case full of false testimonies and circumstantial evidence, parade is an example of the power of musical theater to tell complex and important stories. In the final scene of writers theatres production of parade, leo frank patrick andrews is kidnapped from prison by a group of men depicting the knights of mary phagan.
Parade starring jeremy moon, emily fields, olivia duff, shawn slone, frank goodloe iii and jason cooper. What is amazing about parade is that alfred uhry, the author of the book of the musical, is the great nephew of the man who owned the pencil factory that leo frank alastair brookshaw managed in 19 in atlanta, georgia. A jewish man in atlanta was placed on trial and convicted of raping and murdering a thirteenyearold girl who worked for the national pencil company, which he managed. Were proud to present the vocal selections for jason robert browns awardwinning musical 1999 tony for best original score, drama desk and new york drama critics circle awards for best new musical, which is based on the actual case of leo frank, a jewish man falsely accused of killing a yearold girl in atlanta in 19. Dec 17, 2011 my final project for rs378ol all music is from parade and almost all pictures are from. Today, march 11, 2016, is the 30th anniversary of the granting of a limited pardon to leo frank. After his death sentence was commuted by georgias governor, a mob stormed the prison where frank was being held and lynched him. Dec 17, 2019 the haunting if relentless show directed by jason modica recounts the true story of the unauthorized execution of factory overseer leo frank who was convicted of raping and killing a yearold. How could anyone not be appalled by the case of leo frank, convicted of murder in 19 by a court reeking of prejudice and then lynched by a posse of. A thespian music video by jo jo brown, who sings its hard to speak my heart from the leo frank musical parade broadway should hire him, hes a perfect typecast to perform as leo max frank, jojo brown is not affiliated with the leo frank research library. The authors of parade deserve credit for their fidelity to history and their ambition to probe a painful chapter in the american past, but for me the persecution of leo frank is a story that.
Chicago icon albert lasker is considered the father of modern advertising, whose wideranging legacy credits him with being the inventor of the soap opera and with changing the name of americas eugeniciststhe cult that inspired the racial purification. The chicago tribune claimed that parade is telling a true story of a man falsely accused of murder. Phagan, into the metal room on the pretext of determining whether or not she would need to report to work on monday morning, april 28, 19 at 6. Members of the cast of parade at rs theatrics stage a tableau that suggests the shows themes. Parade tells true story of man falsely accused of murder. A century of jewish lies, part 2 national vanguard. Based on the true story of a trial that captivated the nation, parade is the tale of leo frank, a jewish factoryowner transplanted to georgia and married to a southerner. The murder of mary phagan and the lynching of leo frank. Parade went on to win tonys for both browns score and alfred uhry s book.
The defense made errors of commission by bringing in lots of people from new york, which didnt mean a damn thing in an atlanta courtroom, talking about how wonderful leo frank s character was. Leo max frank april 17, 1884 august 17, 1915 was an american factory superintendent who was convicted in 19 of the murder of a yearold employee, mary phagan, in atlanta, georgia. He did an awesome job adapting the story of leo frank to music quite fitting of the south while adding his usual jewish tinge to it. The leo frank case research library information on the 19 bludgeoning, rape, strangulation and mutilation of mary phagan and the subsequent trial, appeals and mob lynching of leo frank in 1915. Courtesy sharman altshuler but here the war is not the only thing that haunts the proceedings. The leo frank case by leonard dinnerstein internet archive. Oct 14, 2009 the authors of parade deserve credit for their fidelity to history and their ambition to probe a painful chapter in the american past, but for me the persecution of leo frank is a story that. In 2008 the william breman jewish heritage museum in atlanta opened a special exhibition entitled seeking justice.
This book has been invaluable in the planning of our production. Parade at keegan theatre is almost like ragtime at. Sep 20, 20 by sally ollove, site literary manager parade is based on the true story of the trial of leo frank for the murder of mary phagan. I know that many people know this story, but steve oney brings a lot of new facts with a very intense foot notes. Based on a true and pivotal event in american legal, social and political history, parade dramatizes the 19 trial of leo frank, a jewish factory superintendent accused of murdering a factory worker under his employ. In 19, leo frank was convicted of murdering mary phagan, a yearold employee of the atlanta pencil factory that frank managed. After the 58 tall leo frank passport records, 1907. The lifeanddeath stakes of moonboxs parade the boston. The lynching of a guilty man detailing the first largescale jewish fake news operation in the united states. As many of your readers know, parade is the awardwinning musical about the trials and lynching of a wrongly accused jewish man, leo frank, in georgia in 1915. Yet the heavy thematic lift of parade, about the 1915 antisemitic lynching of leo frank in georgia, is less durable than the comparably epic, equally vocally burly ragtime so many. The leo frank case revisited, and in 2009 an episode of the pbs series american experience entitled the people v.
Before the lynching of frank two years later, the case became known throughout the nation. Legacy leo frank, leo frank case, georgia state university. This is a reconstructed account of the horrible lynching of leo frank in atlanta in 19 for the rape and murder of young mary phagan at the atlanta pencil factory. American dissident voices broadcast of february 16, 2019 by kevin alfred strom today we return for part 2 of the most powerful chapter in a groundbreaking work the leo frank case. Parade tells a poignant story in fine revival reuters. The findings in the book are devastating to the longaccepted narrative of franks victimhood and put uhrys parade squarely in the realm of anti. Sep 28, 2007 london hollywood reporter tonywinning choreographer rob ashfords donmar warehouse revival of the 1998 american musical parade, based on the notorious 19 murder trial of leo frank, is an. Matt polson plays leo frank, whose 19 trial and murder conviction is the basis for the musical parade at the little theatre of virginia beach. Today, the consensus of researchers on the subject holds that frank was wrongly convicted. Jun 01, 2017 musical parade a powerful retelling of tragic leo frank case. But a new book by the nation of islam probes the leo frank case and casts serious doubt on that centuryold jewish point of view. It opened in 1998, and received nine tony award nominations the following year, including best musical, winning two best book and best original score. Bertie carvel leo frank and lara pulver lucille frank in parade.
Parade is a musical with music and lyrics by jason robert brown his broadway debut. Bookwriter alfred uhry has said about the inspiration for parade. Jan 14, 2020 parade is an ironically cheery title for a musical that is unapologetically dark. When alfred uhrys play parade opened in chicago this week may 24 july 2, its audience was told they would be watching a historical drama. Blackjewish relations on trial is concerned less with what actually happened in the national pencil company factory than with how frank s trial, conviction, and lynching have been used as an occasion to explore blackjewish relations and the new south. The leo frank case, a century old now, seems like an unlikely subject for a musical. This new audio book, based on the nation of islams the leo frank case. The leo frank case research library information on the 19. Leo frank on stage, on screen, in print atlanta jewish times. The tony awardwinning musical drama parade features the true story of leo frank s trial and lynching in early 20thcentury atlanta. Parade all the tropes wiki fandom powered by wikia. Peter winfrey, who stars as leo frank, is third from the right. Ostracized for his faith and northern heritage, jewish. The family will share the new date when it is scheduled.
Mar 22, 2019 parade is a powerful and famously difficult musical. Parade, a 1998 broadway musical directed by harold prince with a book by. The murder of mary phagan and the lynching of leo frank by steve oney pantheon 2003 364. Elsewhere in town, lucille frank urges her husband, mr. The leo frank case is one of the most notorious and highly publicized cases in the legal annals of georgia. Jun 30, 2017 leo frank, a brooklynraised jewish factory manager in georgia, is accused of an unthinkable crime. Young girls are forced from their homes to toil in factories. Moonbox productions marches out an impressive, impassioned. We might start with leo franks most significant supporter and sponsora man who is mysteriously absent from uhrys parade script. The forward how the forverts reported leo frank s lynching the following is a translation by chana pollack of the yiddish forverts coverage of the lynching of leo frank on august 17, 1915 atlanta, august 17, 1915 a telephone dispatch was received today at 55 minutes past 8 in the morning reporting that leo frank. Members of the jewish occupation army of wikipedia have been openly and carefully selecting every single pro frank sentence within the numerous books produced by partisan leo frank academics and frankites over the last century, and generously putting pro frank quotes and snippets into the leo frank wikipedia article in ways that appear very. Parade is a 1998 musical about the hanging of leo frank, a jewish man living in georgia, accused in 19 of killing a year old girl. Although leo frank was originally sentenced to death, his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment based on overwhelming evidence that.
The lynching of a guilty man, the best investigative effort made on the leo frank case in the last 100 years, will take you on a trip into the past to the greatest american murder mystery of all time. In 19, leo frank, a brooklynraised jew living in georgia, is put on trial for the murder of thirteenyearold mary phagan, a factory worker under his employ. This is a part of uhrys family history and maybe why the case has the ability to capture the imagination of its audience today. Inspired by the spirit of epic theatre, our hope is to show how. In the musical parade, the story of leo frank and his persecutors reveals.
This classic case study beautifully and succinctly paints the picture of atlanta in 19 and the circumstances surrounding leo frank. Moments before he is lynched, frank recites the shema israel, the most important of all jewish prayers. Leo frank musical parade is a story for an antisemitic age. College student finds artifact of the leo frank case apr 16, 2020 curator brittany rhodes, a university of north georgia student, found a set of keys 17 years ago that unlock a piece. The leo frank broadway musical leo frank case archive. Already guilty in the eyes of everyone around him, a sensationalist publisher and a janitors false testimony seal leo s fate. Photo by christy ferrell larry singer, jeremy moon and the cast of centerstages parade bring the story of leo frank to life on the jewish community center stage. Leo and lucille find a home in each other as they fight to bring him home. Leo max frank was an american factory superintendent who was convicted in 19 of the murder of a yearold employee, mary phagan, in atlanta, georgia. Musical parade a powerful retelling of tragic leo frank case. The phagans have left their rural home to live and work in a foreign atlanta. In parade, music and book composers alfred uhry and jerome brown circulated this tension mixed with a fairshare of diabolical plotters throughout the musical yet they bring forward the mercurial relationship between leo and his wife lucille that fattens the tragedy which ultimately befalls frank.
Noi researchers say the commonly believed story of leo frank is based on falsified data, cunning propaganda, and outright deception, and has little at all to do with the known facts of the case. Leo frank premiered in atlanta, where the program was also filmed. As leo begins flipping through the pages of several books in his jail cell, in a. The sole lynching of a jew on american soil is a story that many do not know. The prosecution and persecution of leo frank, carefully documents the trial and lynching of the jewish factory superintendent, falsely accused of the 19 rape and murder of teenager mary phagan in atlanta. Powerful and thoughtprovoking parade is mustsee theater motif. In 1983 70 years after the conviction of sex killer and atlanta bnai brith president leo max frank for the murder of mary phagan lawyers associated with the jewish antidefamation league adl, the atlanta jewish federation and the american jewish. Because franks trial was replete with faulty testimony and lacked any clear evidence, georgias governor eventually commuted his sentence from death to life imprisonment. After georgias governor commuted his death sentence, a mob stormed the prison where frank was being held and lynched him. When a young girl in his employ is found murdered, leo s life is swept up by the intense forces of antisemitism and sensationalistic journalism in early 20thcentury atlanta. Knight plays leo frank at the mark taper forum the. In 19, leo frank, a brooklynraised jew living in georgia, is put on trial for the murder of yearold mary phagan, a worker in his pencil factory. The musicals story follows the 19 leo frank case in georgia, in which frank was accused of raping and murdering the.
Nonetheless, in parade pulitzer prize winning playwright alfred uhry and. Book writer alfred uhry, who grew up in atlanta, had personal knowledge of the frank story, as his greatuncle owned the pencil factory run by leo frank. It won the tony award for best book of a musical and best original score and the. Parade, which won the 1999 drama desk best musical and a tony award for both its score and book, richly captures not only the disturbing. Jun 23, 2017 the leo frank case, a century old now, seems like an unlikely subject for a musical. The success of the broadway musical parade has rekindled interest in the leo frank case.
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