CCM/Carnegie Theater“™s “œParade“ Earns 4 LCT Nominations

ParadeGalaPanelists for the League of Cincinnati Theatres (LCT) have recognized The University of Cincinnati“™s College Conservatory of Music and The Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center“™s Parade with 4 LCT nominations, for Ensemble Acting, Music Direction (Steve Goers), Featured Actor (Noah Ricketts) and Lighting Design (Alan Hanson/Wes Richter), as well as distinguishing it as a recommended production.

In the sweltering intolerance of 1913 Atlanta, northerner and Jewish factory manager Leo Frank is wrongfully accused of murdering of a 13-year-old girl under his employment. As press frenzy and public outrage whip his trial into a referendum, Frank“™s only hope lies in a brave crusade by the southern wife he never understood, among a people that never understood him. The 2000 Tony Award winner for “œBest Book“ and “œBest Score“, Parade is a transformational story of a country at odds with its declarations of equality.

Panelists praised the ensemble, who “œcovered a variety of roles while always maintaining the atmosphere of the performance“¦their execution and full sound of the music carried the show from beginning to end.“ Of Steve Goer“™s music direction, the panelists noted, “œthe highlight of this show is Jason Robert Brown’s layered, beautiful, and complicated music, and Steve Goers did an excellent job of directing the entire cast to execute the challenging score very well“¦the dense harmonies were blended beautifully.“ Featured actor Noah Ricketts, as Jim Conley, was “œthe whole explosive package“¦he commanded the stage.“ Of Hanson and Richter“™s lighting design, the panelists reported, “œBoth designers created a world that supported the story being told. “¦good use of color and atmosphere.“ The production as a whole was “œpowerful“ and “œsuperb“; “œan emotionally engaging, musically complex production that was staged and performed with great heart and talent.“

Parade continues through April 21st. Tickets can be purchased at www.thecarnegie.com.