The acclaimed musical ‘Parade’ is making its way to the Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas, opening Tuesday night and running through June 15.
Having won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical in 2023, this production promises an emotional journey for its audience.
The musical, which opened to both critical and audience acclaim, presents a plot that has left viewers so engrossed that they often hesitate to clap during performances.
Talia Suskauer, who steps into the shoes of Lucille, one of the co-leads, shared insights into this unique audience reaction.
She explained that the gripping nature of the story prompts a sort of reverse-fourth wall concern, where viewers refrain from breaking the spell of the narrative with applause.
“It’s when the performance was phenomenal and deserving of applause, but the moment maybe doesn’t call for it,” Suskauer noted.
The musical is set in 1913 and is based on the true story of Leo Frank, portrayed by Max Chernin, a Jewish man who moves from Brooklyn to Georgia to manage his uncle’s National Pencil Co. factory.
The plot thickens when 13-year-old Mary Phagan is found murdered at the factory, leading to Leo’s wrongful accusation.
As the gripping tale progresses, we witness the DA’s aggressive pursuit of a conviction, spurred on by an ambitious reporter determined to build a case against a seemingly innocent man.
Without revealing too much, the course of Leo’s trial culminates in a death sentence, yet his story doesn’t end there as interventions lead to further investigations and a commuted sentence, but Leo remains trapped in a web of injustice.
The music for ‘Parade’ is crafted by Jason Robert Brown, who won a Tony for Best Score alongside Alfred Uhry.
With its intricate blend of blues, ragtime, and military-parade marches, critics have praised the score for its ability to shift moods throughout the performance.
Suskauer has a personal connection to Las Vegas, recounting family vacations in the city during the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s.
Her family would stay at the Golden Nugget, a short distance from where ‘Parade’ is now unfolding.
“I remember my grandparents always loving Vegas,” she reflects.
In a return to the city, she previously opened the national tour of ‘Wicked’ at Reynolds Hall in September 2019, playing the role of Elphaba.
This time, she finds herself embodying a character that speaks in a dialect reflective of early 20th-century Georgia, adding a new layer of challenge to her performance.
“It’s very emotional in different ways, and different physically.
I’m using a different set of muscles, a different quality of voice,” Suskauer elaborates.
Nevertheless, she maintains that the emotional journey she experiences throughout ‘Parade’ carries similar weight to her previous roles.
With opening night just around the corner, there’s much excitement building for this powerful piece of theater.
While audiences may be navigating the silence that punctuates the production, there is undoubtedly a lot to reflect on and applaud, or not, as the story unfolds.
For fans of theater, ‘Parade’ is not to be missed, especially with ticket prices starting at just $34.50.
For those fortunate enough to secure seats, prepare for a night of gripping drama, emotional scores, and a narrative that holds up a mirror to societal issues, sparking reflection and conversation long after the curtain falls.
As the city anticipates this stirring production, keep an eye on unexpected performances around town that promise to impress, such as the Michael Brown and Kent Duo at the Piano Bar at Harrah’s.
Whether you’re a longtime Las Vegas visitor or new to the scene, ‘Parade’ invites you to experience a unique theater event while also engaging with the rich culture of the Arts District beyond the Strip.
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