Both the producers and leading actor Ben Platt have released statements responding to antisemitic protesters at the first preview of the Broadway revival of Parade on 21 February.
Before the first preview began at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, members of far-right hate groups protested outside the theatre and shouted slurs, confronted ticketholders, held handwritten signs and handed out flyers. These promoted the Goyim Defence League, an organisation that has been linked to antisemitic shootings in Los Angeles.
Parade is written by Jason Robert Brown and Alfred Uhry and tells the true story of Leo Frank, a Jewish business owner who was accused and falsely convicted of the murder of a young girl in the US state of Georgia. The revival was met with critical praise when first staged off-Broadway at the New York City Center in November 2022.
Eyewitnesses outside the theatre reported that the protesters labelled Frank a “paedophile”.
Ben Platt, who plays Frank, said in a video posted to his Instagram: “…For those who don’t know, there were a few neo-Nazi protesters from a really disgusting group outside of the theatre, bothering some of our patrons on their way in and saying antisemitic things about Leo Frank, who the show is about, and just spreading antisemitic rhetoric that led to this whole story in the first place.
“If you don’t know about it, I encourage you to look up the story and most importantly encourage you to come see the show, and it was definitely very ugly and scary but a wonderful reminder of why we’re telling this particular story and how special and powerful art and, particularly, theater can be. And just made me feel extra, extra grateful to be the one who gets to tell this particular story and to carry on this legacy of Leo.”
The producers of the show said in a statement: “If there is any remaining doubt out there about the urgency of telling this story in this moment in history, the vileness on display tonight should put it to rest.”
Parade is set to run on Broadway until August.
Words by Jess Boot-Cowie
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