Kelrik Productions Presents VIOLET, Now thru 5/31

Kelrik Production's upcoming production of the award-winning off-Broadway hit musical VIOLET, a powerful and heartwarming story of a vulnerable young woman's challenges, loves and emotional journey, will now be staged today, May 15 - 31st, 2015 at the Monroe Forum Theater @ El Portal in North Hollywood. With a score by Jeanine Tesori (FUN HOME, CAROLINE, OR CHANGE, SHREK THE MUSICAL, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE) and book and lyrics by Brian Crawley. VIOLET is directed by Joshua Finkel.

Based on the short story THE UGLIEST PILGRIM by Doris Betts, VIOLET is set against the backdrop of the 1960s Civil Rights movement. The musical follows the growth and enlightenment of a bitter young woman hideously scarred by her father during a wood cutting accident. In hopes that a TV evangelist can cure her, she embarks on a journey by bus from her sleepy North Carolina town to Oklahoma. Along the way, she meets a young black soldier who teaches her about beauty, love, courage and what it means to be an outsider.

The score for VIOLET has a lively bluegrass feeling, with occasional dashes of gospel, rock, country and R&B, reflecting the journey that Violet and her travel companions make from North Carolina across the South. VIOLET was awarded the Drama Critics' Circle Award and Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical upon its debut at Playwright's Horizon's.

One of the most acclaimed off-Broadway shows of the '90s, VIOLET was hailed as having "the most powerful score of any musical in years" by Howard Kissel of the Daily News. The Seattle Times described it as having "A genuine sincerity and sweetness that can pierce through one's skepticism...['Violet' is] blessed with some lovely indigenous music...a smart amalgam of country, church and blues." Clive Barnes of the New York Post declared, "Here is a truly charming and meaningful new American musical."

Director Joshua Finkel is proud to be making his Kelrik directing debut states "The true miracle of the show is not about finding happiness through becoming some beautiful ideal on the outside or turning into "what the world thinks we want ourselves to be", but rather allowing the transformation of acceptance of ourselves and others, and allowing true forgiveness for both: only then can we truly find self love and create true love between us. "

The stellar cast includes Director/Star/BreakthruMusical Theatre Performer of The Year (StageSceneLA) and Director of Kelrik's Critically Acclaimed SWEENEY TODD *Kristin Towers Rowles as Violet, Jahmaul Bakare as Flick, *Michael Spaziani as Monty, Jaidyn Young as Young Vi, Jason Chacon as Father, *Richard Lewis Warren as the Preacher /Bus Driver , *Gail Matthius as the Old Lady / Hotel Singer , Erika Bowman as the Landlady / Gospel Singer , Benai Boyd as Mabel / Music Hall Singer, Jeremy Saje as the Waiter /Mechanic and *Justin Anthony Long as Billy Dean /Virgil

The creative team includes: Joshua Finkel (Direction/Choreography); Joe Lawrence (Music Direction); Erik Austin (Set Design); Kathleen Forster (Costume Design); Samantha Marie (Choreography/Lighting Design).

VIOLET plays Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings (8/8/7PM), May 15 - May 31 at the Monroe Forum Theater 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601. For tickets call 818.508.4200 or 866.811.4111 or visit www.elportaltheater.com. Due to the show's adult subject matter it is required that audience members under the age of 17 bring a parent or guardian with them to the performance.

VIOLET is the third show of Kelrik's 2015 CELEBRATE Season. Other shows this season include ALICE'S WONDROUS ADVENTURE, URINETOWN and RONALD DAHL'S WILLY WONKA. For more information about Kelrik Productions, visit www.kelrikproductions.org.

*Denotes Members of Actor's Equity Association

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