Violet
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Cititour.com Review
Spectacle may be what sells tickets to today’s theatergoers, but if there’s any justice in the world, Leigh Silverman’s stunningly simple, almost-concertlike staging of Jeanine Tesori and Brian Crawley’s moving 1997 musical “Violet”, now receiving its long-overdue Broadway debut at the Roundabout’s American Airlines Theatre, will be playing to packed houses every night.
Who cares that there’s relatively little to look at on David Zinn’s unit set (which also houses the fine on-stage orchestra) when you have this glorious score and ultra-human story, sung and acted to perfection by a top-notch cast led by the amazing Sutton Foster in yet another Tony-worthy performance. (A note to audiences to who saw this show last summer in its one-night performance at City Center – this version is even richer and deeper, so take a second look!)
Based on Doris Betts’ little-known short story, “The Ugliest Pilgrim,” the show focuses on the journey – physical and spiritual -- of 25-year-old Violet (Foster), whose face was horribly disfigured by an axe at age 13 and who has finally saved up the money and worked up the courage to travel from her small North Carolina town to Tulsa, Oklahoma to visit a television evangelist (the fine Ben Davis) whom she believes can transform her into a Hollywood-style beauty.
While the evangelist can’t change her life (spoiler alert?), two men Violet meets on the bus do transform her future: African-American soldier Flick (the absolutely sensational Joshua Henry), with whom she connects emotionally, and his Army buddy, pretty boy Monty (a perfectly cast Colin Donnell), with whom she connects physically. That both men actually see through Violet’s physical imperfections ultimately allows this damaged young woman to see herself in a new light.
Tesori and Crawley’s score, with its country, pop, and theatrical flavors, is consistently strong, but there are a few stand-out songs: Violet’s anthem “On My Way,” and her beautiful lullaby “Lay Down Your Head,” (a song I could easily listen to Foster croon every night), and especially, Flick’s righteous “Let It Sing,” so stirringly performed by Henry that I thought it might get a mid-show standing ovation.
Silverman has cast the show brilliantly, with invaluable contributions coming not just from the principals, but also the superb Alexander Gemignani as Violet’s father, the remarkable Emerson Steele as the young Violet, the delicious Broadway veteran Annie Golden in a few small roles, and the versatile Rema Webb (who leads the Gospel-tinged “Raise Me Up”).
Still, the show rests on Foster’s broad shoulders, and she carries it effortlessly. There’s no trace of the glamorous Reno Sweeney or stylish Millie Dillmount in the plainly-dressed Foster (although the scar is never seen, only talked about.) Nor does the versatile star tap one step, execute a jete, or even lift a leg. What she does do, however, is give complete life to this tough-on-the-outside, bruised-on-the-inside woman, a delicate flower hiding behind armor. In doing so, Foster makes us care deeply that Violet makes the right choices -- and finds inner peace even without outer beauty.
By Brian Scott Lipton
Visit the Site
http://www.roundabouttheatre.org/Shows-Events/Violet.aspx
Cast
Sutton Foster, Colin Donnell, Alexander Gemignani, Joshua Henry, Ben Davis, Annie Golden, Emerson Steele, Austin Lesch, Anastasia McCleskey, Charlie Pollock, Jacob Keith Watson, Rema Webb, Virginia Ann Woodruff
Open/Close Dates
Opening 4/20/2014
Closing 8/10/2014
Preview Open/ Preview Close Dates
Preview Opening 3/28/2014
Closing Open-ended
Box Office
212.719.1300
Theatre Info
American Airlines Theatre
227 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036
Map
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