Somerset County Locals To Perform In ​Haunting Musical 'Parade'

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The Pixie Dust Players are performing "Parade," a musical by Alfred Uhry and Jason Robert Brown, at the JCC Metrowest. The production runs from Feb. 13 through Feb. 22. The musical recounts the 1913 trial and imprisonment and 1915 lynching of Jewish American Leo Frank in Georgia.

Leo Frank, a Brooklyn-raised Jewish man living in Georgia, was tried for the murder of thirteen-year-old Mary Phagan, a factory worker in his employ. The narrative explores how a sensationalist publisher and a janitor's false testimony influenced his fate. His defense ultimately came from a governor and his wife, who became his advocate.

The musical originally premiered on Broadway in December 1998. It received Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Original Score, along with six Drama Desk Awards. The Pixie Dust production includes cast members from various New Jersey counties, including Morris, Essex, Hunterdon, Union, Monmouth, Ocean, Somerset, Bergen, Passaic, and Warren, as well as Manhattan and Brooklyn in New York.

Director and Choreographer Matthew Dranzik stated that Pixie Dust Players consistently produce story-driven work designed to provide audiences with a memorable experience. Dranzik added that "Parade drew me in because it challenges both artists and audiences to confront history honestly, while also being urgently relevant today."

The musical addresses themes of religious intolerance, political injustice, and racial tension. It also examines the endurance of love and hope. Dranzik noted that the production serves as "a powerful reminder that storytelling isn’t just about entertainment. It’s about remembrance, accountability, and empathy."

"Parade" is recommended for audiences aged 13 and older due to themes of injustice, prejudice, and references to violence. Audience discretion is advised.

Showtimes are Feb. 13, 14, 20, and 21 at 7:30 p.m., and Feb. 15 and 22 at 2 p.m. at the JCC Metrowest, at 760 Northfield Ave., Suite 210A, West Orange. Tickets are available for purchase online at jccmw.booktix.com/dept/Main/e/Parade.