SCOOP: “Trump and Grenell are complete mensches": The Kennedy Center debuts powerful musical to combat anti-Semitism

THE LOWDOWN:

• The Kennedy Center, which is now run by President Donald Trump as the board chairman and by Ambassador Richard Grenell as its president, premiered the musical Parade. The production is about the lynching of Leo Frank, a Jew in pre-World War One Georgia, who was killed for a crime he was framed for.

• The musical kicked off at a critical juncture for Jews in America. In the FBI’s latest report on hate crimes in America, Jews account for almost all of the ones committed on the basis of religion.

• Bethany Mandel, who attended the show’s premiere, told the Washington Reporter that “Parade is a gripping and unflinching portrayal of one of the most painful chapters in American Jewish history.”

• That message was unmistakable throughout the center during the show. The Foundation to Combat Antisemitism’s trademark blue pins were freely available to visitors, many of whom donned them throughout the show.

The Kennedy Center doesn’t immediately spring to mind during discussions about combatting anti-Semitism, but its latest show puts it firmly at the forefront of these discussions.

The center, which is now run by President Donald Trump as the board chairman and by Ambassador Richard Grenell as its president, premiered the musical Parade. The production is about the lynching of Leo Frank, a Jew in pre-World War One Georgia, who was killed for a crime he was framed for.

The musical kicked off at a critical juncture for Jews in America. In the FBI’s latest report on hate crimes in America, Jews account for almost all of the ones committed on the basis of religion.

Parade’s poignant message about the horrors of anti-Semitism was received warmly.

Bethany Mandel, who attended the show’s premiere, told the Washington Reporter that “Parade is a gripping and unflinching portrayal of one of the most painful chapters in American Jewish history.”

“The Kennedy Center production brings this pivotal story to life with power and urgency, reminding us why art is essential to remembering, reckoning, and never forgetting,” Mandel said.

That message was unmistakable throughout the center during the show. The Foundation to Combat Antisemitism’s trademark blue pins were freely available to visitors, many of whom donned them throughout the show.

“It felt like everywhere I looked, I saw patrons sporting the blue pins,” one attendee told the Reporter following the show. “I had never heard of this ad campaign prior to attending Parade, so was glad to see that the Kennedy Center is prioritizing combatting anti-Semitism in its programs and via its actions.”

Mercedes Schlapp, who attended during opening week, told the Reporter after watching the show that “Parade brings to life the brutal reality of Jewish hate and how the manipulation of the media and overzealous and ambitious prosecutor turned a whole town against an innocent man and destroyed his life because of his religion.”

“Leo Frank’s tragic story should never be forgotten,” Schlapp continued. “Parade inspires all of us to do more in seeking true criminal justice reform and ending Jewish hate in America.”

Another attendee framed the showing in religious terms.

“It was a real mitzvah to bring this production to the Kennedy Center, particularly at this place and time in history,” he said. “Trump and Grenell are complete mensches.”