A Stellar Parade

Australia’s first professional production of Parade opens tonight in Melbourne – and Coral Drouyn looks at this highly acclaimed but seldom seen musical that The Collective, a new Melbourne theatre company, has chosen for its debut.

At first glance Parade does not seem like suitable material for a musical, especially when you consider that it hit Broadway in 1998 – long before the serious and confronting Next to Normal had challenged audiences, and changed the definition of Musical Theatre. True, Sondheim had given us Assassins, but that does not have the same level of confrontation as the story of a married Jewish factory worker, accused of the rape and murder of a 13-year-old girl. Nevertheless, the show went on to garner 6 Drama Desk awards and was nominated for 9 Tony awards, winning for Best Book (Alfred Uhry – who wrote driving Miss Daisy) and Best Score (Jason Robert Brown). With the harrowing subject matter it isn’t surprising that the show was not a success, but that had nothing to do with the quality, which critics were astounded by. Broadway theatregoers still, by and large, want their musicals light and hummable, so quality doesn’t always translate to bums on seats.

It’s impressive then that The Collective, which is a brand new company, should pick something so risky for their first production, yet it’s not altogether surprising.

Executive Producer Geordy Worland has made it clear in the company’s manifesto that The Collective is committed to taking risks. All of its members are highly skilled and gifted creators, but new to running their own theatre company. Their aim is to pick lesser-known projects and present them with as little dressing as possible so that the true quality of the material is enhanced rather than embellished. They are also sworn to foster new and extraordinary talents and give them a chance to experience other areas of production. The question remains whether Melbourne in particular can support yet another new Music Theatre company, but that will be answered in part tonight (September 19), when Parade opens.

The Collective has gathered an exceptional cast of performers for the production, though not all have of them have been seen in lead roles before. However, Luigi Lucente (Leo) – always a stage presence to be reckoned with - and the super talented Laura Fitzpatrick (Lucille) have a slew of credits between them and enough stage presence to make this a must see. Add the amazing Todd Strike (of Ten Tenors fame) and the terrific Cameron MacDonald who wowed us recently in RENT and as Jesus in Godspell (in front of Stephen Schwartz himself) and a gifted support cast all under the direction of James Cutler and the amazing Cameron Thomas as Musical Director  and I am certainly salivation at the prospect of reviewing the show on its second night tomorrow.

And to answer my own earlier question with another…..can there ever be any such thing as too much musical theatre?

Parade plays at 45 Downstairs in the CBD commencing Friday 19^th September.

Earlier coverage and more details