T.R. Knight to Star in L.A. Parade; Ashford to Direct

By Andrew Gans
20 Jun 2009

T.R. Knight
T.R. Knight
Photo by Aubrey Reuben

Stage and screen actor T.R. Knight, best known for his work in TV's "Grey's Anatomy," will star in the upcoming production of Jason Robert Brown's Tony-winning Parade this fall at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.

The Center Theatre Group production, according to the Los Angeles Times, will cast Knight — whose Broadway credits include Tartuffe and the 2001 revival of Noises Off — as the ill-fated Leo Frank.

According to the CTG website, the Donmar Warehouse production of the Brown-Alfred Uhry musical will be directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Rob Ashford (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Cry-Baby), who also directed the London staging. Performance dates are Sept. 24-Nov. 15.

Knight told the L.A. Times blog, "I am very fortunate to return to the theater playing Leo Frank in this incredible, acclaimed production of Parade. After a five-year break, it feels great to be on stage again."

No official casting has been announced.

Here's how CTG bills Parade: "Based on the true story of Leo Frank, convicted for the murder of 13-year-old Mary Phagan in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1913, Parade recounts the press frenzy and public outrage about Frank's trial, and his wife's crusade for justice. Amid religious intolerance, political injustice and racial tension, this stirring Tony Award-winning musical explores the endurance of love and hope against all the odds."

Parade features a book by Alfred Uhry and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown. The musical was co-conceived by Harold Prince. Under the direction of Prince and choreography of Patricia Birch, Parade opened at the Vivian Beaumont Dec. 17, 1998. The musical won Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Musical Score.

Knight has also appeared onstage in Scattergood, the world premiere of Julia Jordan's Boy, Conor McPherson's This Lime Tree Bower and in the short-lived sitcom "Charlie Lawrence" opposite Nathan Lane.

For more information visit www.centertheatregroup.org.