Waterdale Presents "Parade"

Waterdale Presents "Parade"

WATERDALE is proud to announce that the opening night (March 2nd 2012) of their production of Jason Robert Brown’s musical masterpiece ‘Parade’ (Donmar Warehouse Revised Edition) will be the Victorian Premiere.

‘Parade’, set in 1913, tells the true and tragic tale of Leo Frank, a Brooklyn-born Jew living in Georgia who, is put on trial for the murder of 13-year-old Mary Phagan, a factory worker under his employment. Already guilty in the eyes of everyone around him, a sensationalist publisher and a janitor’s false testimony seal Leo’s fate. His only defenders are a governor with a conscience, and, eventually, his wife Lucille, who finds the strength and love become his greatest champion.

President Shane Sanfilippo says WATERDALE has been excited about performing ‘Parade’ for years, and being able to be the first ever organisation in Victoria to perform is really exciting for everyone involved.

‘We feel so lucky to be able to bring this amazing show to Victoria for the first time.’ The Donmar Warehouse Revised Edition was first performed in 2008 in London, and has since gained a huge following. ‘Parade’ composer Jason Robert Brown worked with the Donmar Warehouse theatrical group to make the changes, and has said of the reworked edition, ‘... everything about the show is tighter, sharper, smaller and more aggressive.’ 

Producer Jake Remmington says is not just an amazing opportunity for WATERDALE, but the cast as well. ‘To be part of a premiere production in non-professional theatre is extremely rare…the whole cast is so excited to be able to perform this for the first time.’

Musical Director Ian Nisbet, who is writing his Masters thesis on the compositional techniques of Parade composer Jason Robert Brown and Assistant Musical Director Sophie Antoniou think the Donmar Warehouse Revised Edition will make the audience see the show in a different light. ‘This version is differs significantly to the original Broadway show musically. It has got a real intimate, chamber feel to it. They’ve taken it from a 17 piece orchestra, to a 9 piece orchestra. We definitely welcome the change!’

Director, Aimee Fraser, has performed in a version of the original show, and has enjoyed working with the reworked version. ‘The audience gets such a deep understanding of the characters in the Donmar Warehouse Version, it’s hard not to feel connected to the story.’ Assistant Director, Laura Perini, has loved the Broadway version since she first heard it, and has found a new appreciation for the story and characters after hearing the Donmar Warehouse reworked edition.

‘It brings the show to a whole new level. I can’t wait for Victoria to see it.’ Choreographer Emma Kiely has enjoyed researching and learning the styles of dance incorporated in the show. ‘Parade is so different to anything that I’ve ever choreographed – era specific dances like the cakewalk are so intricate and detailed; its really broadening my horizons.’

Cast member Emily-Rose Carr will be the first person in Victoria to ever play the role of Minola ‘Minnie’ McKnight, a character that was introduced in the Donmar Warehouse Reworked Edition who has an integral role in the tragic outcome of the story. ‘I’m thrilled to be originating this role in Victoria. It’s a challenge but it gives me a chance to really make the role my own.’

WATERDALE’s Victorian Premiere Season will begin on March 2nd 2012 with an Opening Night Red Carpet Gala, and will run for 3rd. 8th, 9th, 10th at 8pm, 4th March is at 5pm with a Governors Afternoon Tea. WATERDALE Presents ‘Parade’ is proudly supported by the Bendigo Bank Heidelberg and East Ivanhoe branches.

‘I hope you’ll get to see the Donmar production, because it’s a really well-thought-out, gorgeously staged and beautifully cast version of the show.’ - Jason Robert Brown, Composer

WATERDALE is a not for profit, volunteer based organisation that provides opportunities for youth to develop skills through all aspects of theatre and production in a supportive and accessible environment.

WATERDALE’s performance based projects have included full-scale music theatre works, original short plays, concert performances, showcase events, in school performances and specially commissioned community based and issues based performances.

WATERDALE is recognised and respected in the community for its youth involvement programs and is continually looking to increase its capacity to offer opportunities for young people.

WATERDALE is run by a committee of 14 volunteers, 3 committee support positions, 3 area focused “working groups” each with 6 volunteers, and typically leadership teams of 5-10 for each of our 4 major projects per year. All of which are unpaid volunteers. WATERDALE has an annual membership base of 120, an annual participation of around 250-300 people, and an annual patronage of almost 3000. Our Tax Deductible fund the “WATERDALE future fund” is run by a board of 3 “Justice of the Peace” individuals and 2 committee members.

Since 2004, WATERDALE has offered over 5000 youth volunteering and engagement opportunities to over 1200 individuals mostly within the Banyule area. The organisation’s belief in youth involvement has stemmed from its founding in the socio-economically disadvantaged area of West Heidelberg, where the founders of the organisation sought to engage disinterested youth and give them opportunities for positive self-expression.

WATERDALE’s past shows include ‘Little Shop of Horrors’, ‘The Mikado’, ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, ‘Fame’, ‘Pippin’’, ‘Annie’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast: In Concert’. On top of these, WATERDALE has staged 5 Original short plays projects and 6 musical showcases.