It's Hard To Speak My Heart/Summation & Cakewalk - Parade

"It's Hard To Speak My Heart" and "Summation & Cakewalk" from Elon University's production of Jason Robert Brown's "Parade." Filmed/Edited by Matthew Cesari.
Leo Frank -- Julian Burzynski '17
Hugh Dorsey -- Alec Michael Ryan '19
Judge Roan -- Caleb Albert '17
Luther Rosser -- Beau Scheier '17
Lyla -- Brooke Banister '19
Lucille Frank -- Emily Fallon '17
Jim Conley -- Fergie Philippe-Auguste '17

[@Chemistchannel22444]

Maybe a stupid question, but why does lila come on stage?

[@thaliagrace4444]

I don't understand either

[@Chemistchannel22444]

@@thaliagrace4444 I think I've figured out why, but it's just my take on it.
In the opening song, when we first meet lila it's very clear that she represents "the old" south, the old way of life, and most importantly, the "idea" of the south. Here we see that history is literally repeating itself, walking by, showing that the spirit of the south, the ideals and ideas it had, are still very much alive.

[@Chemistchannel22444]

She's now wearing white, symbolising the almost holy nature the past has taken on, how it has become a rose coloured "ideal". But again in short, the past very much being present and alive here.

[@michaelwilliamybarra2409]

@@Chemistchannel22444 This is a trademark of the Donmar Warehouse/Mark Taper Forum productions in London/Los Angeles(which this version of the licensed show is based on), that the image of Lila is constantly seen when the spirit of pride for the South is becoming as extreme as it was in the Civil War.
This is highlighted by the fact that in those productions, the actor playing Lila also doubles as Mary Phagan, who is thus shown being seen as an almost Lila reincarnate of Southern pride by the end of the show.

[@michaelwilliamybarra2409]

Also is the idea of how the southern pride gets brought down from generation to generation, by having both The Young Solider and Frankie Epps also played by the same actor.