Stephen Sondheim was approached to write the music for Parade the Musical. One can scarcely blame him. It’s not exactly easy material to work with. Based on actual events, the musical tells the story of a Jewish factory owner who was convicted of raping and murdering a 13 year-old-girl under his employ in Atlanta in 1913. The events surrounding the trial are credited with both reviving interest in the KKK and bringing about the birth of the Anti-Defamation League. The man was hanged from an oak tree. Not exactly cheery stuff. Sondheim doesn’t always shy away from this type of material, but this is very, very dark stuff. It’s a cautionary musical. This sort of thing happened in the past 100 years ago. It could happen again. It’s a hopeful story of love and hope against the odds amidst racial tension and intolerance.
The musical makes its way to the stage of the Greendale Community Theatre in a production that opens next week. The show runs Jul, 23 - Aug, 1 at the Henry Ross Auditorium in Greendale High School. For more information, visit Greendale Community Theatre online.
