Parade: A Musical Journey Through History and Hatred
The national tour of Parade, a musical based on the true story of the 1915 lynching of a Jewish man, Leo Frank, is coming to the Kennedy Center amidst controversy surrounding President Trump's influence on the institution. The show sheds light on the murder of Mary Phagan and the subsequent trial of Frank, who was wrongly accused. Despite being a century-old case, it continues to provoke far-right groups, including neo-Nazis and right-wing influencers, some of whom are connected to the Trump administration. The musical's creator, Jason Robert Brown, has affirmed the importance of presenting the show at the Kennedy Center as a counter to the currents of hatred in America.
The murder of Mary Phagan and the trial of Leo Frank was a sensational true-crime story in the early 20th century. Frank, a Jewish man from the North working in the South, was accused of Phagan's murder based on flimsy evidence. The trial, tainted by antisemitism and racism, culminated in Frank's conviction and subsequent lynching by a mob. The case highlighted the deep-seated prejudices of the time and led to the revival of the Ku Klux Klan. Historians later concluded that Frank was likely innocent, and he was posthumously pardoned by the state of Georgia in 1986.
Playwright Alfred Uhry, who grew up in Atlanta and wrote the musical Parade, was inspired by the Frank case. The show, which initially did not achieve significant success, gained renewed relevance in a 2023 Broadway revival amid a rise in antisemitic hate. White supremacists protested the production, spreading false claims about Frank, which were later echoed by right-wing influencers. The spread of antisemitic narratives about Frank underscores the enduring nature of hatred and prejudice in society.
The ADL and other organizations have condemned the promotion of antisemitic conspiracy theories related to the Frank case by individuals associated with the Trump administration. The Defense Department's press secretary, Kingsley Wilson, has faced criticism for her social media posts about Frank, which have been labeled as antisemitic. Despite the backlash, Wilson's colleagues have defended her and dismissed accusations of antisemitism. The resurgence of antisemitic rhetoric in mainstream discourse underscores the ongoing battle against hatred and bigotry in society.
In conclusion, the musical Parade serves as a poignant reminder of the injustices faced by Leo Frank and the enduring legacy of antisemitism in America. By bringing this story to the stage, creators like Jason Robert Brown and Alfred Uhry aim to challenge the currents of hatred and prejudice that continue to plague society. The parallels between the past and present underscore the importance of confronting bigotry and standing up against injustice in all its forms.