Parade- a dramaturgy casebook
Faculty Mentor(s) Name(s)
Dr. Amy Pinney
Abstract
The 1998 musical Parade, written by Alfred Uhry and Jason Robert Brown, is based on the 1913 murder of Mary Phagan and the subsequent 1915 lynching of Leo Frank as a result of antisemitic rhetoric. This research serves as a dramaturgical casebook on the show, breaking down the historical context of turn-of-the-century Georgia and the legacy of bigotry in the United States in relation to the play. This case study breaks down the authorial intent and background, of past productions while highlighting possible issues of how a show written in 1998 (and set in the 1900’s) would resonate with a current audience. In the musical Parade, Alfred Uhry and Jason Robert Brown show the legacy that white supremacy holds in the United States and the environment that enables bigotry. When performed, it can be an excellent example of how justice can be miscarried in favor of political convenience but also comes with the challenge of portraying sensitive imagery and topics.
Start Date
27-3-2024 4:00 PM
End Date
27-3-2024 4:08 PM
Location
Arts and Sciences 2-72
Parade- a dramaturgy casebook
Arts and Sciences 2-72
The 1998 musical Parade, written by Alfred Uhry and Jason Robert Brown, is based on the 1913 murder of Mary Phagan and the subsequent 1915 lynching of Leo Frank as a result of antisemitic rhetoric. This research serves as a dramaturgical casebook on the show, breaking down the historical context of turn-of-the-century Georgia and the legacy of bigotry in the United States in relation to the play. This case study breaks down the authorial intent and background, of past productions while highlighting possible issues of how a show written in 1998 (and set in the 1900’s) would resonate with a current audience. In the musical Parade, Alfred Uhry and Jason Robert Brown show the legacy that white supremacy holds in the United States and the environment that enables bigotry. When performed, it can be an excellent example of how justice can be miscarried in favor of political convenience but also comes with the challenge of portraying sensitive imagery and topics.