'Parade' set for Toronto
Livent Inc., Drabinsky's Toronto-based live theater company, said Tuesday that rehearsals are under way in New York and Toronto leading to three private performances before invited audiences on Oct. 15, 16 and 17 at the Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre in Toronto. That's where Livent work-shopped "Ragtime' in May of 1996.
"Parade" is based on the true story of Leo Frank, a Jewish factory manager in Atlanta, Ga., who was accused in 1913 of the murder of a 13-year-old Christian girl. The musical focuses on the relationship between Frank and his wife, Lucille Selig Frank..
With a score by Jason Robert Brown, making his Broadway debut, and a book by Alfred Uhry ("Driving Miss Daisy," "The Last Night of Ballyhoo"), "Parade" will feature 30 actors including Brent Carver ("Kiss of the Spider Woman") as Frank and Carlolee Carmello as Lucille.
The creative team also includes choreographer Danny Ezralow ("Momix"), costume designer Judith Dolan ("Candide"), lighting designer Howell Brinkley, set designer Riccardo Hernandez ("Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk") and musical director Eric Stern ("Candide," "The King and I").
The Leo Frank story was the basis for a 1937 film, "They Won't Forget" starring Claude Rains, and a 1988 TV movie, "The Murder of Mary Phagan."
David Mamet's historical novel on the subject, "The Old Religion," is due to be published in October to coincide with the workshop.
Livent also said Tuesday that it is contemplating a $100 million issue of debt securities. Chief financial officer Marina Messina told Daily Variety that the issue of high-yield notes is still in negotiations with underwriters but should be completed by the end of the month.
The proceeds will be used to retire senior secured debentures and reduce the company's bank debt, and for general corporate purposes.
