Two men in WWII era military uniforms sit on a bench and talk to a young woman in a dress who reads a magazine. Behind them is a news stand with the words "Nashville News" on its sign.

Erin Driscoll as Violet with Kevin McAllister and James Gardiner in the Ford’s Theatre production of the musical Violet, directed by Jeff Calhoun. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

Violet

January 24, 2014 — February 23, 2014

A touching story of love, hope and healing. In the early 1960s, a young woman travels across the South in search of a miracle. On her journey, she meets two young soldiers who help her learn about courage, beauty and her own self-worth. Jeanine Tesori (Caroline, or Change, Fun Home and Thoroughly Modern Millie) returns with a dynamic score of bluegrass, gospel, country and rock. Directed by Tony-nominated Jeff Calhoun (Broadway’s Newsies).

Artistic Team

Based on The Ugliest Pilgrim by Doris Betts

Director Jeff Calhoun

Music Jeanine Tesor

Lyrics and book Brian Crawley

Music Direction Jay Crowder

Scenic Design Tobin Ost

Costume Design Wade Laboissonniere

Lighting Design Michael Gilliam

Sound Design David Budries

Projection Design Aaron Rhyne

Wig and Make-Up Design Anne Nesmith

Dialects Susanne Sulby

Production Stage Manager Brandon Prendergast

Assistant Stage Manager Kate Kilbane

Cast

Erin Driscoll

Violet

James Gardiner

Monty

Kevin S. McAllister

Flick

Bobby Smith

Father

Lauren Williams

Young Vi

Madeline Botteri

Bus Passenger/Congregant/Club Patron/Choir/Understudy

Troy Hopper

Bus Passenger/Bus Boy/Congregant/Club Patron/Choir/Understudy

Kellee Knighten Hough

Bus Passenger/Land Lady/Lula

Gregory Maheu

Bus Drivers 1 and 4/Preacher/Filthy Man/Radio Singer/Understudy

Amy McWilliams

Old Ladies 1 and 2/Hotel Singer

Nova Y. Paton

Bus Passenger/Music Hall Singer/Mabel/Understudy

Stephen F. Schmidt

Bus Passenger/Leroy Evans/Waiter/Radio Singer/Bus Driver 3/Earl/Understudy

Chris Sizemore

Bus Passenger/Bus Driver 2/Virgil/Radio Singer/Billy Dean/Creepy Guy

Katie McManus

Swing/Understudy

Stephen Gregory Smith

Swing/Understudy

Artistic Team

Keyboard I/Conductor Jay Crowder

Keyboard II Victor Simonson

Violin Doug Dubé

Bass Deborah M. Brudvig

Bass Jeff Cooper

Guitar 1 Dan Hovey

Guitar 2 Wiley Porter

Percussion Danny Villanueva

From the Gallery

A young girl and and middle aged man sit together in outdoors clothing. Behind them is a backdrop of trees in fall colors.

Bobby Smith as Father and Lauren Williams as Young Vi in the Ford’s Theatre production of the musical Violet, directed by Jeff Calhoun. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

One man sits and one man stands on a set resembling a beaten-down bus. They both wear WWII era military uniforms.

James Gardiner as Monty and Kevin S. McAllister as Flick in the Ford’s Theatre production of the musical Violet, directed by Jeff Calhoun. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

Two men in WWII era military uniforms sit on a bench and talk to one another. Next to them a young woman talks to and older woman, both with travelling bags next to them. Behind them is news stand that says "Nashville News" on its sign.

Kevin S. McAllister, James Gardiner, Amy McWilliams and Erin Driscoll in the Ford’s Theatre production of the musical Violet, directed by Jeff Calhoun. Photo by Carol Rosegg

A man in a WWII era military uniform stands on a bus and talks to a woman in a red dress, who sits on a bus bench.

Erin Driscoll as Violet with Kevin S. McAllister as Flick in the Ford’s Theatre production of the musical Violet, directed by Jeff Calhoun. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

A young woman in a dress stands on a bunch and holds up a magazine in each hand. Two men in WWII era military uniforms sit on the bench and watch her. Behind them is a news stand with the words "Nashville News" written on a sign.

Erin Driscoll as Violet with Kevin S. McAllister and James Gardiner in the Ford’s Theatre production of the musical Violet, directed by Jeff Calhoun. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

Kevin S. McAllister as Flick, James Gardiner as Monty and Erin Driscoll as Violet in the Ford’s Theatre production of the musical Violet, directed by Jeff Calhoun. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

A man in a WWII era military uniform and a woman in a dress and sweater sit on bus seats and talk to one another.

Erin Driscoll as Violet and Kevin S. McAllister as Flick (with James Gardiner in background) in the Ford’s Theatre production of the musical Violet, directed by Jeff Calhoun. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

Three women in long white robes sing enthusiastically.

The choir featured in the cast of the Ford’s Theatre production of the musical Violet, directed by Jeff Calhoun. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

Six people in long white robes sing and dance. To either side men in suits watch and smile.

The cast of the Ford’s Theatre production of the musical Violet, directed by Jeff Calhoun. Photo by Carol Rosegg.