VIOLET – Music by Jeanine Tesori; Lyrics and Book by Brian Crawley; directed by Ben Ranann. Produced by Aurora Fox Theatre Company and Phamaly Theatre Company (Presented at Aurora Fox Theatre, 9900 East Colfax, Aurora) through June 18. Tickets available at 303-739-1970 or AuroraFoxArtsCenter.org.
Violet is an unorthodox musical heroine. The audience sees glimpses of the young Violet’s life with her father, hints of the accident that left her scarred, and her outspoken and bold approach to life as a young girl. This attitude followed her into adulthood as she became self-sufficient and hardened by isolation. The scar on her cheek has set her apart and given her an arrogance that carries her through the sorrow of her life.
When she learns of a “healer” who can make the lame walk, she decides to make the trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma, from her home in North Carolina by bus to seek his healing powers. Her journey by bus introduces her to two soldiers traveling back to their base. They both admire her skill at card-playing and accompany her the rest of the way to their destination. This leads to a superficial romantic relationship. But determined, she continues her pilgrimage to Tulsa.
However, upon arrival, her interaction with the healer is realistic but unsatisfying until she realizes a deeper truth about her disfigurement and returns to her soldier friend with a new confidence and understanding.
Musicals have been built on less. This one was built on a short story called “The Ugliest Pilgram.” Composer Tesori has had an incredibly successful career, including scores composed for such successful productions as THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, SHREK, and FUN HOME. This script’s success is built around rooting for Violet to make her dreams come true. There seems to be no song that jumps out and winds its tendrils around your heart, unlike the three shows of hers mentioned above. The closest would be “Raise Me Up,” introduced by the Healer’s choir and reprised as Violet pleads with him for a miracle.
The script has a lot of humor built on the down-home sensibilities of these Southern characters, on the situations they find themselves in, on the blunt personality of Violet herself who doesn’t suffer fools, and on the interplay between the three main characters. There is a lot to offer in this production. Both the young Violet, played by Meika Qutub, who at 14 has a considerable resume built up and holds the promise of an incredible career, and Katelyn Kendrick, who played the older Violet with confidence and compassion, are incredible singers. They shared the same twinkle in the eye in tackling this grounded but whimsical story. The audience loves them.
The supporting characters filled their parts of the story with grace. Erik Sandvold as the Preacher gave him a compassion and kindness that was not necessarily written into the script but is inherent in Erik’s own personality. The bus passengers did double duty as the church choir and slid back and forth easily. Such a joy to see Joannie Brosseau-Rubald back on stage and Anna Maria High in the kind of role she was born to play. They were joined by Charlotte Gray, Garbriel Hannah Smothers, Brian Watson, and Alexis Webb in filling in the people on Violet’s journey.
Long-time Phamaly performer Trent Schindele gave a poignant performance as Father who caused the accident that scarred his daughter and mourned it the rest of his life. He was loving, tender, and tough with her, knowing he was not going to be around for her whole life. While I enjoyed the comedy brought by both of the soldiers, Rakeem Lawrence as the sweet and thoughtful Flick, and Adam Johnson as the flirty, full-of-himself Monty, their ability to carry the difficult music was limited.
I have such vast admiration for the professionalism of the Aurora Fox productions and the joy and talent that Phamaly brings to all their shows. Yet, somehow, I came away ambivalent about this production. For me, something just didn’t land the way it should have to raise it up. But – and this is a big But – so much of anyone’s enjoyment of ANY production depends on what they personally bring to the table. In this case, I think it was my table that was asking too much. The audience around me seemed to be enjoying the afternoon immensely. Please – see this show yourself and tell me that I don’t know what I’m talking about.
A WOW factor of 8.50!!