Parade Ending Question (Possible Spoilers)

[MimiLovesRoger]

Posted: 10/3/16 at 7:29pm

Hi everyone! I don't usually post on here but I had a question for those who saw the original production.

My brother and I saw a college production of Parade yesterday (which was fabulous) and were blown away by the music and story. 

We were wondering how the original ending was staged. This production ended with Frankie putting on what looked to be a white robe then pushing through the crowd upstage. After the final note we see Frankie in silhouette wearing a KKK robe. It was extremely powerful and unexpected. After a little bit of research and debate we figured that this was a creative choice of the production since we couldn't find information saying that this was how it was originally portrayed. 

 

How was the original ending staged? We would be grateful for any information! Thanks!

 

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 10/4/16 at 9:42am

I didn't see the original production, but considering that Leo Frank's death led to a resurgence in the KKK in the South, that's a brilliant choice. Hats off to that college.

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 10/4/16 at 9:42am

I didn't see the original production, but considering that Leo Frank's death led to a resurgence in the KKK in the South, that's a brilliant choice. Hats off to that college.

[LYLS3637]

Posted: 10/4/16 at 10:01am

It is a brilliant choice. I saw a professional production that did something similar during WHERE WILL YOU STAND WHEN THE FLOOD COMES? White robes lowered on a fly and the mob stood behind them. A chilling moment.

The original Broadway production did not do anything like that. The finale is staged much like the beginning-- the Confederate Memorial Day parade is being celebrated with Confederate flags waving but instead of Leo uncomfortably watching as the "outsider" as it was during the opening, it's Lucille watching-- horrified. 

[trentsketch]

Posted: 10/4/16 at 11:03am

The libretto is very open in the lynching scene. It mentions the noose, the bag, and the wedding band and that's about it. I was in a production that used historical images projected on the set that had the hangmen recreate one of the infamous postcards of local people posing in front of Leo Frank's hanging body when the noose went around his neck. I've seen the KKK robes and confederate flags done, as well. The scene needs a big statement leading into the final number to really drill home why the story is so important to tell.

[musicals1989]

Posted: 10/4/16 at 12:34pm

I saw the production that the original poster refers too. It was absolutely incredible for a university show. 

To explain a little more-- the was a scrim midstage that was used throughout the entire show. There was always a silhouette of something whether it be soldiers/jail cell/pillars, etc. The scrim flew out twice during the show: the ensemble entrance in Old Red Hills Of Home (opening) and the a cappella (wall of sound!) reprise of it in the finale. The two scenes mirrored each other. In the finale, the scrim flew back in as the final chord rang out-- we hear and see the marching crowd as Frankie puts on what looks to be a doctor's coat. He runs upstage of the scrim and the final image we see is a silhouette of him in the KKK hood. The silhouette was massive--from the top of the scrim to stage level. It was a frightening image that still has not left my mind. 

[ggersten]

Posted: 10/7/16 at 5:49pm

I found this clip of the Broadway ending - albeit from a preview performance: