Point Park's CTC Presents PARADE Helmed by Tony Winner Rupert 2/27 Thru 3/22

Point Park University's Conservatory Theatre Company presents the multiple Tony Award-winning musical Parade at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, the performing arts center of Point Park University, Feb. 27 through March 1 and March 12 through 22, 2009; a preview performance is open to the public on Thurs., Feb. 26. Tony Award-winner Michael Rupert directs; he is joined by Zeva Barzell as associate director and Douglas Levine as music director.

With music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown and book by Alfred Uhry, Parade is the true story of Leo Frank, a Jewish factory owner whose life is turned upside down after being accused of a heinous crime. The 1913 trial, exploited by the media, provoked anti-Semitic tensions in Atlanta and the state of Georgia. The trial ignites a deep love between Frank and his wife, out of what once was an unfeeling arranged marriage. This intense and deeply emotional story is a testament to the strength of marital love and an introspective look into race relations, prejudice and a justice system gone awry.

Parade opened at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre on Dec. 17, 1998. Under the direction of Harold Prince and choreography of Patricia Birch, Parade went on to win Tony Awards in 1999 for Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Musical Score in addition to seven other Tony nominations. It also won Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Book of a Musical, Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Brent Carver), Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Carolee Carmello), Outstanding Orchestrations, and Outstanding Music.

Parade runs Friday, Feb. 27, 2009 through March 1 and March 12 through Saturday, March 22, 2009. Performances will be held Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Tickets range in price from $18 to $20 and can be purchased by calling the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office at 412-621-4445 or online at www.pittsburghplayhouse.com.