White Plains Performing Arts Center to Present PARADE, 8/8-10

Musical Dramatization of the 1913 Trial of Leo Frank - Which Aroused Anti-Semitic Tensions Across the Nation and is Credited with the Creation of the Anti-Defamation League.

Parade is a musical dramatization of the real-life story of a man falsely accused of murder, brought to emotional and theatrical life by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Alfred Uhry and Tony Award Winning composer/lyricist Jason Robert Brown.

In 1913, Leo Frank, a Brooklyn-raised Jewish man living in Georgia, is put on trial for the murder of a young girl who works in his factory. Already guilty in the eyes of the town, a sensationalist reporter and a janitor's false testimony seal Leo's fate. His only defenders are a governor with a conscience and his Southern wife who finds the strength and love to become his greatest champion.

Daring, innovative, and bold, Parade won well-earned Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score in 1999. Its subject matter offers a moral lesson about the dangers of prejudice and ignorance that should not be forgotten.

The events surrounding the investigation and trial led to the emergence of two opposing groups: the revival of the defunct Ku Klux Klan and the birth of the Anti-Defamation League, a premier Jewish civil rights organization which was formed in response to the anti-Semitism surrounding Leo Frank's trial and lynching.

Parade is presented by The White Plains Performing Arts Center Conservatory Theatre's new summer theatre program, which gives college and graduate school actors the opportunity to work in a Professional Regional Theatre under the guidance of Broadway artists.

Directing this production is Keith Levenson, a director, conductor and arranger for the theatre as well as concert and television stages. Keith is best known for his work conducting Broadway and National Touring productions including The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (with Ann-Margret), Grease, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Who's Tommy, Annie Warbucks, Big River, Chess, Peter Pan and the Tony and Grammy Award winning production of Dreamgirls.

PERFORMANCES:

Friday, August 8 at 8pm

Saturday, August 9 at 8pm

Sunday, August 10 at 2pm

At the White Plains Performing Arts Center, 11 City Place (at City Center), 3rd Floor,, White Plains, NY 10601. Call 914-328-1600 or email education@wppac.com.