A Special Production Of PARADE Comes To Center City, Philadelphia

An unprecedented production of the Tony award-winning musical drama, PARADE, is set to open in Center City, Philadelphia this Spring.

Amid religious intolerance, political injustice and racial tension, the stirring Tony Award-winning PARADE explores the endurance of love and hope against all the odds. 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 America's history.

In 1913, Leo Frank, a Brooklyn-raised Jew living in Georgia, is put on trial for the murder of thirteen-year-old Mary Phagan, a factory worker under his employ. Already guilty in the eyes of everyone around him, a sensationalist publisher and a janitor's false testimony seal Leo's fate. His only defenders are a governor with a conscience and, eventually, his assimilated Southern wife who finds the strength and love to become his greatest champion.

The production is set to open on April 26, (still known in some states as Confederate Memorial Day) and will only run into the next evening April 27. The show is to be produced by the University Of The Arts College Democrats organization, with performances being held at the Arts Bank Theatre on Broad Street.

The cast of 28 is comprised of students from all over the university in all different majors. The creative team is also comprised of students at the school. Set to direct the show is Nicholas Wainwright '18 (NJACT nominee, and director of the sold-out Hunchback of Notre Dame at UArts last season), also on the team is choreographer- Rachel Sampson '18, Musical Director- Maura Sitzmann '19, Conductor- David Thomas '19, Stage Manager- Meagan Spry '18, and Assistant Director/Dramaturg- Rose Slavin '20.

The UArts College Democrats organization explains the show will be followed by a brief talkback panel with the creative team and invited politicians to talk of the show's importance and relevance in today's climate.

Per director Nicholas Wainwright, "PARADE is not only culturally relevant in today's political climate and "fake news" phenomenon, but we as artists have a platform to change perspectives and tell traumatic stories that leave a significant impact on audiences. Parade promises to be quite an illuminating evening of theatre and inventive storytelling."

PARADE has a limited run from April 26-27 only. (2 performances at 8:00 PM). Admission: Pay what you can, tickets go on sale April 2, 2018 @ 10:00 AM. Reserve your seats via: https://uartsdems.ticketleap.com/parade/. The Arts Bank Theatre, 601 S Broad St. Philadelphia PA, 19107.

The cast list is as follows:

Cast:
Leo - Matt Donzella
Lucille - Anna Nicole Ventor
Mary Phagan - Maryellen Molnar
Frankie - Ethan Abrams
Jim - Jeremy Mitchell Cousar
Craig - Devon Spencer Lynch
Dorsey - Nolan Cummings
Watson - Jessie Hoffman
Iola - Mary Howe
Mrs. Phagan - Ellie Borzilleri
Essie - Gracie Gentile
Monteen - Shay LaRusso
Newt - Ameer Dunn
Minnie - Bryana Mainor
Rosser - Kelly Krieger
Governor John Slaton - Cameron Farrell
Sally Slaton - Liberty Laferrière
Judge Roan - Jacob Kemp
Young Soldier - Justin Rubenstein

Ensemble:
Shannon DeVaughn
Madyson Hanton
Monica Henry
Juliana Noelle
Abby Morris
Caroline Orejuela
Mikaela Alexa
Taylor Reeves
Jamie Talamo