The first main stage production of the semester, "Parade" opens tonight on campus.
This award-winning musical continues the grand tradition of collaborations between the Department of Theatre and Dance and The Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music.
Merging the two departments happens every few years, and provides for a one-of-a-kind experience for audience members and performers alike. "Into the Woods" and "Sweeney Todd" are some of the most recent successful musicals the two creative teams have brought to The University of Memphis stage.
"It's an opportunity to demonstrate the tremendous talent on campus," said Robert Hetherington, theatre professor as well as the director of "Parade."
Hetherington said that all of those involved with the production add up to the most talented cast the two departments have ever assembled.
"It's humbling how impressive it is backstage, onstage, with the design and in the orchestra pit," Hetherington said.
As if bringing the different schools together was not fulfilling enough for all of those involved, Jason Robert Brown, the composer and lyricist of "Parade" will be visiting campus for the performance. It is quite rare for the author of a play to see their very own creation in other venues, and Brown's arrival is a rewarding treat for the cast and creative team of "Parade."
"Never in my professional career have I had that luxury," Hetherington said.
This luxury is thrilling for the creative team, as well as the cast members.
"It's exciting and unnerving for the performers, but it's really so exciting for the city of Memphis," said Alice Berry, director of publications and promotions for the department of theatre and dance.
Not only will Brown be filling a seat during a production, he will also be performing live in the psychology auditorium on Friday Feb. 24, from 10 a.m. until noon. His appearance on campus will be a cabaret inspired two hours, in which Brown will be performing songs from his recent solo CD "Wearing Someone Else's Clothes."
Although the rest of Brown's set list has yet to be solidified, he has a wealth of tunes to choose from, including songs from his musical "Last Five Years." The theatre department is overjoyed to provide the forum for Brown to perform.
"We're saying 'Hey, here's this Tony Award winning, mover and shaker in the realm of musical theatre,'" Berry said.
In recent years, Brown has become one of the leading voices within the theatre crowd. After receiving numerous accolades for "Parade" including the Drama Desk award for Best New Musical, Brown went on to gain more respect as a lyricist thanks to his involvement with musicals such as "Songs for a New World," "The Last Five Years" and "Urban Cowboy."
All of this recognition makes Brown's visit to The U of M even more exciting, and it is quite an achievement for the departments involved, Berry said. His visit has also helped to increase interest in "Parade" among other departments on campus.
"This has helped us tap into what theatre can touch," Berry said.
The musical is based on Leo Frank, a Jewish factory owner from the northern United States. Frank murdered a 13-year-old girl in Atlanta, Ga. in 1913, and his life ended in August on 1915.
Although many Americans may not know the Frank case, the ramifications of this nearly century-old event helped to produce the Ku Klux Klan as well as the Jewish Anti-Defamation League. Both of these organizations are still present in today's society.
The historical events that "Parade" addresses, along with the passion both the school of music and the theatre department have poured into the production, will make this theatrical experience both memorable and thought-provoking.
"Everyone loves a good courtroom drama, if they didn't, "Law and Order" wouldn't be on every night," Hetherington said.
The director of "Parade" is confident that this acclaimed musical will continue to raise both social and human questions which have remained similar throughout the passing decades.
"It addresses the impact of the Civil War in 1914 and today," Hetherington said.
"Parade" runs the weekend of Feb. 16-18, as well as Feb. 23-25. All performances begin at 8 p.m. and are free to students with their valid U of M ID.
