Michael Arden, the director of the new revival of Parade on Broadway, was censored during his Tony Award acceptance speech for Best Direction of a Musical. Arden used a derogatory term to describe himself and his upbringing, which led to the audio being cut out. Despite this, Arden encouraged people to keep raising their voices, loving and uplifting each other, and standing up against intolerance. The new Broadway production of Parade stars Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond, and is directed by Arden. The show features a book by Alfred Uhry, music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, and is co-conceived by Harold Prince.
The cast of Parade includes a 33-person ensemble, with Alex Joseph Grayson as Jim Conley, Sean Allan Krill as Governor Slaton, Howard McGillin as Old Soldier/Judge Roan, and Paul Alexander Nolan as Hugh Dorsey. The show follows the story of Leo and Lucille Frank, a newlywed Jewish couple in Georgia who are struggling to make a life for themselves. When Leo is accused of a crime, it tests their faith, humanity, justice, and devotion. The show reminds us that to love, we must truly see one another.
In a video interview, Tony nominee Micaela Diamond discusses her road to Broadway and why she loves singing Jason Robert Brown’s music in Parade. Understudy Max Chernin will step into the role of Leo Frank in Parade on Broadway this weekend, in Ben Platt’s absence.
Keywords: Michael Arden, Parade, Broadway, Tony Awards, Ben Platt, Micaela Diamond, Alfred Uhry, Jason Robert Brown, Harold Prince, Leo Frank.
- Alex Newell
- Alfred Uhry
- Aslynn Maddox
- Bailee Endebrock
- Ben Platt
- Beth Kirkpatrick
- Broadway
- Broadway theatre
- Caroline Fairweather
- cast
- Censorship
- Courtnee Carter
- Emily DeMartino
- F-word
- faith
- Florrie Bagel
- Georgia
- Harold Prince
- humanity
- intolerance
- Justice
- Leo Frank
- Lucille Frank
- Max Chernin
- Micaela Diamond
- Michael Arden
- Non-binary gender
- parade
- performances
- Prentiss Mouton
- Sophia Manicone
- Tony Awards
- understudy.
- upbringing
- US
- voting
- William Michals