Acting Up Stage Company & Studio 180 Theatre Present PARADE 12/30-1/22/2011

Studio 180 Theatre (acclaimed last season for STUFF HAPPENS and THE OVERWHELMING) and Acting Up Stage Company (fresh from its sold-out production of THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA) present the award-winning PARADE, from December 30, 2010 to January 22, 2011 at The Berkeley Street Theatre Upstairs.

With book by Alfred Uhry (Pulitzer Prize for DRIVING MISS DAISY) and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown (THE LAST FIVE YEARS), PARADE had its world premiere at Lincoln Center Theater in 1998. It won the Tony Awards for best book and score, and the Drama Desk and New York Critics' Circle awards for best musical. The show quickly built an international following for its haunting score and powerful narrative and has subsequently been produced by renowned companies around the world, including recent acclaimed productions in London and Los Angeles. PARADE now finally has its long-awaited Canadian premiere.
The Story

PARADE takes place in 1913 Atlanta, Georgia. After a teenaged factory employee is raped and murdered, Leo Frank, the young Jewish manager of the factory, is charged with the crime. Manipulating witnesses and tampering with evidence, the prosecution succeeds in convincing the jury that the wrongly accused Frank is guilty.

Considered one of the most sensational trials of the early 20th century, the Frank case pressed every hot-button issue of the time: North vs. South, black vs. white, Jewish vs. Christian, industrial vs. agrarian.

The musical recounts the press frenzy and public outrage surrounding the trial and conviction, including the crusade for justice amid religious intolerance, political injustice and racial tension fought by Frank's wife Lucille.
The Toronto Production & Cast

PARADE is directed by Studio 180 Artistic Director Joel Greenberg, with musical direction by Paul Sportelli (Shaw Festival). Sets and costume design is by Michael Gianfrancesco and lighting design by Kimberly Purtell.

The company of 15 actors, who will play the musical's 40 roles, includes many of Canada's finest talent. Two-time Dora-winner Michael Therriault stars as Leo Frank and Tracy Michailidis stars as his wife Lucille Frank. Also starring are Neil Barclay, Jessica Greenberg, Sarite Harris, Darren A. Herbert, Alana Hibbert, Jeff Irving, Gabrielle Jones, George Masswohl, Mark McGrinder, Paige Robson-Cramer, Jordy Rolfe, Jay Turvey and Mark Uhre.
About The Producing Companies
Since 2004, Acting Up Stage (Mitchell Marcus, Artistic Producer) has brought stellar Canadian casts to productions of contemporary and provocative musicals. The company has been heralded with rave reviews, sold-out performances and Dora Award nominations for its productions, including THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, ELEGIES: A SONG CYCLE, A NEW BRAIN and A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE.

Studio 180 Theatre produces socially relevant theatre that provokes public discourse and promotes community engagement. Since 2003, the company has won critical acclaim and sold-out houses for a series of Canadian powerful premieres that tackled difficult and divisive issues. Studio 180's renowned productions include STUFF HAPPENS, THE OVERWHELMING, THE ARAB-ISRAELI COOK BOOK and THE LARAMIE PROJECT.
PARADE
December 30, 2010 to January 30, 2011
Previews: Thursday, December 30 at 7 PM and Friday, December 31 at 7 PM
Opening Night: Monday, January 3 at 8 PM

Regular Performance Schedule:
Monday-Saturday, 8 PM (excluding Saturday, January 1 which is dark); Saturday, 2 PM

Tickets: $32 to $40, with 20% discount for students and seniors

On Sale Now by Phone at 416-368-3110
And Online at www.paradethemusical.com