There's a 'Parade' in MN, on Disc Too

A review of Alfred Uhry and Jason Robert Brown's musical Parade in today's Minneapolis Star-Tribune reminded me that I've not written anything about the new cast recording of this extraordinary show that's available these days. Yes, the original 1998 Lincoln Center Theatre recording of this show about the trial of Leo Frank, accused of murdering one of the girls in his employ, in Georgia is available and for some, that may be enough. Producer Jeffrey Lesser (with Brown acting as associate producer on the disc) certainly made sure that much of the show – and Brent Carver and Carolee Carmello's extraordinary performances were preserved for posterity – but the new disc – of the Donmar Warehouse production – goes several steps further. The First Night Records release, also produced by Lesser, comes on two CDs – meaning that the music plus certain dialogue is preserved. For people who've not had the opportunity to experience the show on stage, this is obviously a boon. Additionally, the dual CD set is accompanied by a third disc – a DVD that includes interviews and images from the Donmar production, which has been directed by Rob Ashford.

Although the number of musicians for the Donmar recording is roughly half of that used in the original, Brown's score – a rich blend of period and regional tunes and Broadway razzmatazz still sounds terrific. So do the show's leads: Bertie Carvel and Lara Pulver. Carvel, as Frank, has a tendency to push his American accent, a bit, as do some of the other company members, but it's little matter. Characterization is rich here and sound quality excellent.

While I don't think that this new release of Parade will necessarily supplant the original Broadway cast recording, it certainly matches it, and I must say that for people unfamiliar with the show, I'm not sure which I would ultimately recommend as being definitive. I just know that I'm really grateful for the opportunity to have a second recording of this show that dazzled for too short a time nearly 10 years ago.

Incidentally, the production in Minneapolis/St. Paul – produced jointly by Theatre Latté Da and the Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company – continues through March 16. Also, I had an announcement that the Wildwood Summer Theatre – an all-youth organization in Bethesda Maryland – hopes to make it their annual summer production.

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QUICK LINKS:

First Night Records: www.firstnightrecords.com

Parade in MN review: www.startribune.com/entertainment/onstage/15948402.html
Minnesota Jewish Theatre: www.mnjewishtheatre.org
Theatre Latte Da: www.theaterlatteda.org
Wildwood Summer Theatre: www.wst.org