Michael Arden helmed Roundabout Reading of Parade

[natashalost]

I didnt see anyone else post about this but this sounds exciting!

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/BWW-Exclusive-Ben-Platt-Michaela-Diamond-More-Lead-Michael-Arden-Helmed-PARADE-Reading-20181227


Last week, held a reading of Jason Robert Browns PARADE, helmed by Michael Arden. The reading starred Ben Platt as Leo Frank and Michaela Diamond as Lucille Frank with Mallory Bechtel (Iola Stover), John Behlmann (Hugh Dorsey), Kevin Chamberlin (Luther Rosser/Mr. Peavy), Eddie Cooper (Newt Lee/Riley), Rodrick Covington (Jim Conley), Luther Creek (Officer Ivey), Andrew Durand (Britt Craig), Mark Jacoby (Old Soldier/Judge Roan), Mia Sinclair Jenness (Essie), Howard McGillin (Governor Slaton), Kenita Miller (Minnie McKnight/Angela), Renee Rapp (Monteen), John Rapson (Prison Guard), Brian Sears (Young Soldier), Laura Shoop (Sally Slaton), Brooklyn Shuck (Mary Phagan), Will Swenson (Tom Watson), Melissa Van Der Schyff (Mrs. Phagan), and Oscar Williams (Frankie Epps).

[Kad]

Before people start falling all over themselves: Roundabout regularly produces readings with high-profile actors and directors that never are developed into full productions. 

[perfectlymarvelous]

I'd love to see a revival of Parade, but not directed by Michael Arden, PLEASE. 

[CATSNYrevival]

Why not Arden? You really think he’d dress everyone in Parade in bed sheets and sports jerseys?

[GeorgeandDot]

Arden's a wonderful director. His productions on Broadway have been thrilling and visually stunning. Wish he was attached to The Secret Garden too.

[Call_me_jorge]

Im not sure how I feel about roundabout producing. If its not going to be the full orchestrations then its a bust for me. What a cast, though.

[qolbinau]

I know Jeremy Jordan is currently unavailable because he is working, but is Ben Platt really a better choice than him?

[E.Davis]

Will Swenson as Tom Watson is just delicious fun.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

This is a thrilling cast for a reading. But I cant see Ben Platt choosing this role, in a non-profit production, for his big return to Broadway. And I definitely dont see Roundabout taking the gamble on a revival of this show without a star of Platts stature. (Also interesting how young they went for the leads Platts 20+ years younger than Brent Carver in the original)

[dianamorales]

Ben Platt is a good choice, but for the love of God when will someone let Brandon Uranowitz play this role? And Micaela is incredible but 25 years too young.

[natashalost]

My dream would be Jake Gyllenhaal and Laura Benanti as Leo and Lucille Frank. I doubt this would ever happen

[LesWickedly]

dianamorales said: "Ben Platt is a good choice, but for the love of God when will someone let Brandon Uranowitz play this role? And Micaela is incredible but 25 years too young."

The real Lucille was a little under 30 when these events took place, so yes 10 years too young but not 25. 

[dianamorales]

Caralee was around 35 when it opened. But it isn't really about age I guess, just how she plays it.

[singer234]

Micaela is incredible but this is a role I would love to see Shoshana Bean play, if they were going with an older Leo. Ben and Micaela plays like a college production.

[JBroadway]

The age of the real-life people is only mildly relevant. What's more important is how old the characters - as written by JRB and Uhry - read and play onstage. The climactic 11 oclock number, "All the Wasted Time" would ring a little hollow if the characters appear to be in their early to mid twenties.

[ACL2006]

Hopefully there's a few more musical revivals next season. Parade, Company, West Side Story, Crazy For You?, Dreamgirls?

[broadwaynerdnewbie]

I’m fully prepared for this to lead to nothing but I do hope we get a revival of Parade soon!

[ELP]

dianamorales said: "Ben Platt is a good choice, but for the love of God when will someone let Brandon Uranowitz play this role? And Micaela is incredible but 25 years too young."

OMG, Diana - Before I read your post, I thought the EXACT same thing! Brandon Uranowitz in this role would be absolute perfection!!! And a guaranteed Tony earning performance playing Leo. Yes, he IS Leo, in this role - in my opinion (and yours Diana) of course.

Brilliant minds think alike!!!!

[broadwayboy222]

As brilliantly talented as both Diamond and Platt are I can't help but echo the sentiment that they just are far too young for these roles. Casting wise, Leo: Jeremy Jordan, Max Von Essen, Brandon Uranowitz, Daniel Radcliffe, or Jake Gyllenhaal. Lucille: Stephanie J. Block, Carmen Cusak, or Kate Baldwin. 

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Leo is not supposed to be especially likeable. The whole point of his character is that he is cold and emotionally unavailable, but in Act II his wife and he finally connect before, well, you know.

Ben Platt is too vulnerable, adorable, and puppy-like, and Jeremy Jordan and Max Von Essen are too handsome and suave. Danielle Radcliffe is a somewhat better match, and would at least get people other than musical theatre nerds to come see it.

[natashalost]

Im not totally against them casting this younger than usual. Who knows, Michael Arden is incredibly creative and he may have some grand vision that we dont see from a list of people in the cast.

[JBroadway]

I was pleasantly surprised when I saw Jeremy Jordan in the role. Youd think hed be too suave, but he pulled off the awkwardness better than I thought.

Brandon Uranowitz, for me, is a bit too character-y to really make this role soar. Sure, hes the absolute perfect type for it, but I worry that he would overdo the neurotic, nervous aspect of the character and become a caricature.

I love Daniel Radcliffe, and I think hed knock it out of the park acting-wise, but unfortunately he just does not have the vocal chops to pull it off.

Jake Gyllenhaal is my favorite suggestion in this thread. Leo has a similar range to George, and its comparable type-wise. Gyllenhaal is an excellent actor, and he would sell tickets.

[AEA AGMA SM]

I find I'm often disappointed by productions of what were originally fairly grand shows that get reduced down for their revivals. Anytime I see an "intimate" Sweeney Todd I deeply miss that grand choral work, especially in the opening and closing, that gets lost when there is a tiny, or no, ensemble. Same with Titanic and Ragtime, and this show as well. I'd personally rather cherish my memories of seeing the original tour with that incredible ensemble work and lush orchestra over seeing it done as a small chamber piece.

I understand the desire of many to see this piece again, but I don't have a huge amount of confidence in Roundabout being the company to get it done right.

[Taryn]

broadwayboy222 said: "As brilliantly talented as both Diamond and Platt are I can't help but echo the sentiment that they just are far too young for these roles."

How old do people think these people were when this happened? Leo Frank was 31 when he died and Lucille was four years younger than him. By the logic that Ben Platt is too young (at 6 years' difference), you could say that Jake Gyllenhaal is too old (at 7 years' difference).

[jimmycurry01]

Not many people bothered to read Kad's post, I see.