Jeanine Tesori, Brian Crawley - Violet (1998 Original Off-Broadway Cast)

While Broadway as a mega-spectacle can be fun, sometimes big, loud shows can leave a spectator numb. There's no risk of that with Violet, an intimate piece that, in fact, never made it to the Great White Way. And it's just as well, really, since the emotional impact of this unjustly underrated show was a lot more suited to New York's 145-seat Playwrights Horizons theater, where it had a too-short run in 1997. Composer Jeanine Tesori is often mentioned in the same breath as Michael John LaChiusa and Adam Guettel. While she shares with them a desire to dust off the musical theater, she's also more comfortable than they are with various pop vernaculars. In Violet, which tells the story of a scarred young woman who goes on a road trip through North Carolina, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Arkansas in the 1960s, Tesori used gospel, R&B, blues, and country, but the result is unmistakable musical theater and not a mish-mash of styles. Lauren Ward is spellbinding as the title character, and she later went on to be equally impressive in Sondheim's Saturday Night and the revival of 1776. --Elisabeth Vincentelli Amazon.com

WHERE IN THE HECK IS IT???

Never have received it or even an email to explain. STAY FAR AWAY FROM THIS SELLER> May 12, 2007

Don't hesitate, just buy the CD and enjoy it!

I am coming upon my third time performing in this show and I have never gotten sick of this music (which is saying something since I'm not a big fan of listening to showtunes). Like the very first reviewer, I was along with the high school cast who took it to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and have great memories with this show.

A touching story with timeless issues of race and struggling with your own self-image. It's about learning how to play with the cards that fate gives you. You may have a winning hand, a winning smile, but as this musical shows, even if you're dealt a poor hand, you can still succeed as long as you put all your chips and all your heart into the hand you have. July 27, 2006

An unsung hero of a show...

I love this show. This cd is FABULOUS! The technical aspect of the music is amazing with difficult harmonies, songwriting, timing etc...it all is blended SO well together for an amazing goose-pimpling experience. If you haven't heard of this show and want to be awed, listen to the music and you'll want to run to the theater to get a seat. no disappointments at all! September 28, 2005

Amazing and underrated!

Tesori, the composer behind "Thoroughly Modern Millie", and more recently and impressively Tony Kushner's "Caroline, or Change" created one of my favorite musicals--right up there with Lippa's "The Wild Party" and Brown's "The Last 5 Years". This emotionally pumped, pop-infused story of a girl with a scar and her journey for it to stop tormenting her is beautifully performed here by all, with the standout for me being Michael McElroy as Flick, an african-American soldier that Violet meets on her trip. I use "pop" in the best way possible. The complexity and authenticity of the story is not compromised by the music as in some other musicals, but rather made more authentic since the brand of pop fits the time and place, while still sounding fresh. A great overlooked, underappreciated musical. August 22, 2005

An usual musical -- surprising turns with every track

Like many reviewers, I am reviewing this after I had the sheer joy of performing it (I was Flick). Boy would I love to perform Flick again but I won't and you know why? Because this is one of those unfairly neglected gems that this so obscure and the mainstream musical theater audience really has no wind of it.

And I can understand why. Violet doesn't follow the popular musical theater formula. First off, it's based on a very serious and what some would call "dark" premise. It's about a woman in 1964 on her way to see a televangelist peacher so he can heal her of a terrible scar she received as a little girl. Second, Violet's music is glorious, but quite varied in style. One song will be a country ballad, the next, what sounds like Tina Turner should be singing, and the next, R&B, and the next, a soul gripping gospel number. That in itself may sway some listeners.

But let me tell you, the ending and THE MESSAGE that this musical sends is worth it all. It's so unusual in the the way it takes you this journey, that you become so compelled to feel for each of this characters.

To continue with it's premise, Violet meets along her way two friend soldiers: one black (Flick), one white (Monty). Violet and these soldiers learn to find affection in one another and an unusual love triangle forms as the soldiers fall for Violet (Monty openly, Flick secretly) where feelings are hurt and love is found. The audience is also unclear as in the beginning when the story seems understandable and innocent enough, the second act presents race and sex issues. However, the themes can be universally understood and appreciated.

Michael Elroy, Flick, is absolutely wonderful and perfect for the role. His hefty and sultry baritone has just a beautiful middle range and can do remarkable vocal feats as he flies to remarkably beautiful and sustained A's and B's, and one fantastic high falsetto Eb! Michael Park has the absolutely perfect country southern boy quality for Monty. His rendition of "You're Different" is so sentimental and poignant and just hits the spot. And his acting training is clearly evident. Lauren Ward stole the show and it sounds as if the role was written for her. I don't think she could be a show that fit her talents more perfectly. And what a great vehicle for her to learn her career on. She's a mezzo with a very healthy belt as well as a trained head voice all the way to a great F at the top of the staff.

The music is just beautiful and touching. "On My Way" is the central musical number as it ties up the themes so perfectly. The recording simply will not leave you bored as it is surprising with every track as new styles are infused and great acting compels you. July 17, 2005

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