MUSE Presents: PARADE

Under the direction of Hayden Tonazzi, Sydney University’s musical society MUSE is taking on the two-time Tony Award-winning musical, PARADE. Written by the acclaimed pairing of  Jason Robert Brown and Alfred Uhry, PARADE is based on true events that inspired the formation of the Anti-Defamation League and deals with social themes that are extremely relevant to today’s political climate – racism, injustice, and the dangers of a community that gives in to xenophobia.

Set in Atlanta, Georgia in 1913, PARADE follows the story of Leo Frank, a Brooklyn-raised Jewish man struggling to adjust to Southern life, who finds himself accused of the murder of a young girl. What follows is a harrowing story of prejudice and injustice as Frank is condemned not only for the crime, but for his faith.

Under Tonazzi’s direction, this production breaks from the typical mould. “It is not uncommon for productions of PARADE to portray Leo Frank as an entirely innocent man who becomes a product of an ugly town full of hate,” says Tonazzi. His vision for the show is focused less on the question of Frank’s innocence and more on crimes against identity, making the audience “aware of the individual, and how individuality should be valued rather than become the reason for someone’s demise”.

With over 75 people involved in MUSE’s production of this iconic show including Australian X-Factor contestant Naisa Lasalosi, and over 2,000 expected spectators, PARADE is set to be the biggest production in MUSE’s history.

PARADE will play 21 March – 23 March at 8pm and 24 March at 7pm

Tickets for MUSE’s [Facebook] production of PARADE [Facebook Event] available from the  Seymour Centre.