Theater Review: 'Parade' at Waterbury Arts Magnet School

By Nancy Sasso Janis

The Waterbury Arts Magnet School Theatre Department is presenting the musical “Parade” this weekend only on the Apron Stage at WAMS. The strong production of a hard-hitting story is directed by Tyler Caisse, assisted by Cheyenne Walent.

“Parade” was conceived and directed on Broadway by Harold Prince, with a book written by Alfred Uhry and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown. The musical is a dramatization of the 1913 trial and imprisonment, and 1915 lynching, of Jewish American Leo Frank in Georgia.

Director Harold Prince turned to Jason Robert Brown to write the score after Stephen Sondheim turned the project down. Brown draws on a variety of influences, from pop-rock to folk to rhythm and blues and gospel, so this is a challenging score for both singers and musicians. Mariana Vagnini-Dadamo served as the capable music director and conductor.

I was invited to attend the final dress rehearsal for my review. I loved how the director uses the entire space of the cozy Apron Stage.The vignettes during “This Is Not Over Yet” are impressive, as was the staging of “Where Will You Stand When The Flood Comes?”

Quinn Soulliere tackles the leading role of Leo Frank, the Jewish factory manager accused of murder. Soulliere is up to the challenge of this important role. Grace Henderson gives life to the role of Lucille Frank, demonstrating the evolving relationship with her husband through the story. Henderson shows off a very good singing voice (evident for “Do It Alone,” ) and strongly portrays her well-drawn character.

John Rush (standing in photo above,) who was the tech director for Golden Years Theatre’s “Senior Citizen Grease,” portrays Hugh Doresey, an ambitious and corrupt prosecutor with political ambitions.

Rush gives an impressive performance and sings really well (“Somethin’ Ain’t Right.”) That title reminds me that the students were required to adopt a strong Southern accent and they did quite well with maintaining said accent.

Isabella Nizzardo portrays the other villain in this piece, the rabidly anti-semitic publisher Tom Watson, who later is elected a U.S. senator. Nizzardo has great solos in “Watson’s Lullaby” and “Where Will You Stand When the Flood Comes?”

Hanalie Cocchiola, often seen on the stage at Seven Angels Theatre, portrays the young girl who is killed, Mary Phagan. Noah Gomez plays her friend Frankie Epps (“The Picture Show” and “Funeral: There is a Fountain/Don’t Make Sense.”)

Kieran Smith portrays John Slaton (“Pretty Music.”) Jayden Greenlaw is very strong in his portrayal of Jim Conley, the prosecution's star witness. This young actor leads the number “Blues: Feel the Rain Fall” and makes it his own.

Madeline Meeker plays Iola Stover and is the understudy for Lucille Frank. As Factory Girls, Sarah Henderson plays Essie and Maddison McDougall is Monteen.

PJ Lawlor portrays Judge Roan (“The Glory”) and is the understudy for Leo Frank. Nailah Walker plays Minola McKnight and Jaheim Moaze covers the role of Newt Lee, the African-American night watchman who discovered the body ("Interrogation,") and a Civil War soldier “The Old Red Hills of Home.” Billie Labriola plays Brit Craig (“Real Big News”) and Grace Labbe plays the mother of the victim, Mrs. Phagan.

Sadie J. Rodriguez is Sally Slaton. Erica Dessalines as Angela and Karleigh Santos as Riley have a great duet at the top of the second act, “A Rumblin’ and Rollin’.” Cabastian Sotolongo plays Luther Rosser. Ian Schultz steps up to play J. N. Starnes and Sierra Magnavice plays Officer Ivey. Avery Fernandez plays a guard and a police officer.

It was a treat to see Mikayla Labbe, last seen in City Youth Theatre’s “The Amazing Lemonade Girl,” playing the role of Peevy. She also is the understudy for the Factory Girls.

The ensemble is comprised of Camdyn Bringhurst, Molly Crossley, Karlaysia Daniels, Camryn McCarthy, Braelyn McDougall, Adelaide Luchun, Amanda Marhi-Miceli, Arielle Parker, Angelica Rodriguez-Arroyo, Ky Schwartz and Vera Therrien.

Kudos to the musicians in the orchestra, seated in a loft above the technical booth. Dawn Marie Conroy plays piano, Chris McNellis is on bass, Nick DeVito covers woodwings, Pauline Park covers strings and Michael Spanneda is strong on all things percussion, especially the strong drumbeat throughout.

The scenic director is Jaison Rossi and the stark design features two large collages of newspaper clippings. The lighting design by Alexander Effes includes some striking scenes. Karin Lopez assembled the period costumes that flattered the wearers. George LaChance is in the charge of sound design that is a work in progress.

In the printed program, there is a disclaimer that “This community does not endorse the actions of certain characters,” and anyone who experiences this story will see why.

The musical is presented with one 15-minute intermission. The show is produced by Maria P. Stasaitis. As of this posting, the Friday and Sunday performances are sold out and Saturday has only a few seats remaining.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She is also a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column IN THE WINGS and theater reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

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