BWW Preview: Spinning Tree Theatre Presents VIOLET in Kansas City

The Spinning Tree Theatre production of the musical Violet opens at the Just Off Broadway Theatre November 6. Michael Grayman and Andy Parkhurst co-direct the Kansas City premiere, which is one of the first regional theatres to secure the rights to the musical. Angie Benson provides the musical direction and leads a five-piece orchestra.

The musical Violet is based on the short story "The Ugliest Pilgrim" by Doris Betts, with music by Jeanine Tesori (Caroline, or Change, Fun Home, Thoroughly Modern Millie) and libretto by Brian Crawley (A Little Princess). The musical opened at the Playwrights Horizons Off-Broadway on March 11, 1997 and closed on April 6, 1997. Kansas City native Lauren Ward appeared in the title role.

Violet received seven nominations for the Drama Desk Awards, won the Outer Critics' Circle Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical, won the Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Musical, the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Musical, and won the Obie Award Special Citation for Music. The 2014 Broadway production received four Tony Awards, three Drama Desk Awards, and three Outer Critics Circle Award nominations.

Violet Karl boards a Greyhound Bus in Spruce Pine, North Carolina bound for Tulsa, Oklahoma where she hopes to a televangelist can heal the scars she bares from a childhood accident. The Spinning Tree production stars Lauren Braton as Violet, with Daniel Beeman as Monty, and Matthew King as Flick. Other members of the cast include Tim Ahlenius, Samantha Barboza, Katelyn Baron, Jake Bartley, Damian Blake, Katie Hulla, Bob Linebarger, Linnaia McKenzie, Julie Shaw, Devyn Trondson, and Bob Wearing.

Violet runs at the Just Off Broadway Theatre from November 6 to November 23. Purchase tickets by calling 816-569-5277 or at the Spinning Tree Theatre website. Ticket prices range from $20 to $35. Photo courtesy of Spinning Tree Theatre.