I have a real complicated relationship with the Parade Musical. But anybody who has seen the revival on Broadway needs to tell me in precise detail how the ending is staged.
I just came from the theater and I'll try to write it down while it's still fresh.
There are photos of the stage on Google images, for reference. There are no large moving set pieces, just that rectangular prism around chest height in the center and a bunch of furniture. The back wall has a ton of projections, many of them photos of (I assume) the real people. The back wall had regular backgrounds, like buildings and walls, etc too, and also some newspaper clippings, and very upsettingly a photo of Mary's dress.
Anyway, the ending.
Leo's bed in his cell is on the raised center platform. After Lucille leaves following All The Wasted Time, the lights dim to signal nighttime. Leo takes his pants off and tosses them in the leftover picnic basket, then gets into bed. The guard is walking around, behind the raised platform, still visible as it's only chest height.Ā
5 men enter from all sides, quietly, some carrying guns. One of them knocks out the guard, and they all proceed up to Leo's bed. Leo gets up after being told at gunpoint to come with them. They walk together in a small circle, still on the center platform. The bed gets changed for a bench, and they sit in 2 rows of 3, mimicking driving. A few ensemble members cross on the sides and lower front of the stage, I assume to indicate they are travelling through town. The back wall projection changes from the jail windows, and turns into a large tree as they reach their destination. A noose comes down from the ceiling. A few more men join, and the ones who drove Leo disperse a bit. They stand in a loose circle around Leo, who has had the noose put on him. When Leo asks to be covered, since he isn't wearing pants, they tie some blanket around his waist.
As Leo starts singing Sh'ma, the lighting starts to change. The back wall tree image appears a bit more orange, like the sun is rising. Spotlight on Leo grows brighter and brighter. At the final note, Leo jumps down a trap door, most of the light goes with him. The men on stage freeze in silhouette as black and white photos of people, close-ups and profiles mostly, are shown in quick succession on the back wall.
Everybody exits, and the rope that was the noose comes back up with a lantern/household overhead light on it. The center platform is now the Frank residence. Lucille and the reporter have their conversation (I believe some older cast recording has this dialogue) leading into the beginning of the Finale song, during which the Leo/Mary Phagan office interaction from the beginning is reprised. In both, Leo's desk is just stage left of the center platform, touching it. Leo is at his desk, he entered while Lucille and the reporter were talking. Mary Phagan is standing stage right, with her balloon. They meet in the middle to hand over her wage. Unlike the first time, when Mary turns around to tell Frank one more thing, she isn't cut off, she wishes him a happy memorial day.
A lot of people move around at this part, so I couldn't really keep track, but basically everyone but the Frank's and Mary end up on stage. It definitely starts with the one young man, then more and more people enter. A parade is happening, and like the previous ones we've seen there are big confederate and US flags get waved, the confederate veteran is in uniform, people are having a good time. For the last few stanzas, they make a line of people from end to end, a lot of press photos show this moment. From left to right they take their hats off or otherwise salute. The end.
I probably forgot some details already, but that's what I can remember.
