The Musical Theatre Department’s production of “Violet” opens at the University Theater this Friday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m. The show is directed by Austin Harleson with choreography by Jamie McCord Trial and music direction by Millie Turek.
“Violet,” based on the short story “The Ugliest Pilgrim” by Doris Betts, tells the story of Violet Karl, who was disfigured as a child after a tragic accident. Now, after having saved enough money, Violet sets out on a journey to meet a TV evangelist she believes can heal her. Along the way she meets Flick and Monty, two soldiers traveling on the same bus. As she continues to grapple with trauma of her injury and forgiving her father, she develops relationships with Flick and Monty that result in a deeper, unexpected healing.
Junior Julian Schwarz, who plays Violet, describes her character as a “very strong young woman. She has a quick temper and a big heart.” Schwarz goes on to say that resilience and courage have carried Violet through her struggles and pain, and in her travels, “she finds beauty in places she never expected.”
“This production has been a great opportunity for our students to explore storytelling and performance in musical theatre with differing flavors,” says Harleson. “It couldn’t be more stylistically opposed to ‘Anything Goes,’ our previous musical from the fall semester, while still offering an engaging, compelling, and heartfelt story for the cast to journey through and share with the audience.”
“This show features some tough and uncomfortable conversations,” says junior Jamorad Keith, who plays Flick. “The audience will be kept on their toes. This group of singers and actors are giving their best to make this a great production. Everyone should come see this show.”
“This is an amazing piece of musical theatre,” says senior Chase Sumner, who plays Monty, “and the work done by our ensemble of actors and musicians is fantastic. The set is minimal, so the story is created and told almost exclusively through the actors themselves! It is a very stripped-down musical, so the actors and the music truly carry the show along in a very unique way. The music is brilliantly written by Jeanine Tesori, and it includes elements of Blues, Rock and Roll, Gospel, country, and bluegrass! It’s high energy and full of twists and turns and very heartfelt moments!”
“There is something in this show for everyone! There are some very fun and upbeat sections, but there are also a lot of heartfelt and moving moments as well,” says Schwarz. “Anyone who comes to see ‘Violet’ will find something that they can relate to.”
Showtimes:
April 22 – 7:30 p.m.
April 23 – 7:30 p.m.
April 24 – 3:00 p.m.
April 29 – 7:30 p.m.
April 30 – 7:30 p.m.
May 1 – 3:00 p.m.
Tickets – $12.50 per person Box Office: www.reinhardt.edu/falany, boxoffice@reinhardt.edu, 770-720-9167
