Photo by Joan Marcus 

At the intermission of Parade on Broadway, Ben Platt - in character as Leo Frank - remains onstage for the full 15 minute break, trapped in a proverbial cell to convey his character's real-life imprisonment. The stark and unapologetic realism of the moment encapsulates why Parade has, in such a short time, resonated with audiences far and wide. The production, which recently took home the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, does not hold back in its portrayal of antisemitism and injustice in the rural U.S. during the early 20th Century. Instead, it presents it to the audience in a way that is raw and unfiltered, while both visually and emotionally impactful. 

"Parade is an important show for current times, and we are both honored and grateful it was recognized at the Tony Awards. Our show might be a period piece, but its themes are timeless, which is why it attracts such a diverse audience. We are also blessed to have such a talented company, from our leads to our lighting and sound experts. It's a truly comprehensive production." - Marsi Gardiner, BHS Agent and Parade Co-Producer

The production's relatively simple set, a platform surrounded by chairs where the majority of the cast sits for the length of the show, is balanced by its striking, almost haunting lighting, projections, and viscerally engaging performances. 

Parade's leading stars, Platt and Michaela Diamond - known for her previous role as Babe in The Cher Chow - are "pitch perfect" as writer Alfred Uhry put it. In her role as Lucille Frank, Diamond pulls at your heartstrings, with her character's sadness, fortitude, and powerful vocals stealing every scene she is in. 

Among the company's many standouts is Broadway veteran Howard McGillin, who so convincingly plays the parts of a confederate soldier and a judge, respectively, that many in the audience did not realize they were both played by the same actor. 

The production's cohesiveness, along with the soulful performances of its actors, is due in no small part to director Michael Arden, who deservingly took home the Best Director award at the Tonys last weekend following a memorable speech. 

“‘Parade’ tells the story of a life that was cut short at the hands of the belief that one group of people is more or less valuable than another and that they might be more deserving of justice,” he said in accepting his award. “This is a belief that is the core of antisemitism, of white supremacy, of homophobia, of transphobia and intolerance of any kind. We must come together. We must battle this. It is so, so important, or else we are doomed to repeat the horrors of our history.” - Michael Arden in his Tony's acceptance speech 

Parade's stricty limited engagement ends August 11. To learn more and purchase tickets, click here. You can also connect with Marsi Gardiner and view her current listings here.