[NEohioPAL] Lakeland's Violet this Weekend

[Martin Friedman via NEohioPAL]

*“Rarely has a composer and lyricist-librettist joined forces to produce as
tender, touching and unconventional a musical about the scars we bear –
inside and out – as “Violet,” currently on stage at Lakeland Civic
Theatre.”                                          Bob Abelman, Cleveland
Jewish News*

*“The story is fascinating and the music is lush and varied, combining
gospel, country and blues into a beguiling quilt that is stitched together
much more delicately than Violet’s face. Director Martin Friedman and
musical director Jordan Cooper bring out the best in this talented cast.”
                                          Christine Howey, Raves and Pans*

Lakeland Civic Theatre announces

*The beautiful, original and compelling musical play*

*Violet*

*Based on **The Ugliest Pilgrim* *by Doris Betts*

Book and Lyrics by Brian Crawley

Music and Lyrics by Jeanine Tesori

Directed by Martin Friedman

Set and Lighting Design by Trad A Burns

Musical Direction by Jordan Cooper

Costumes Designed by Tesia Benson

Sound Designed by Eric Simna

Production Stage Manager Nichole Vencl

Technical Director Stephen Vasse-Hansell

 Featuring  *Nicole Sumlin* **(courtesy of Actor’s Equity Association)*



*“The only thing not small or understated is the talent on stage.*

*Neely Gevaart takes a role fashioned for Broadway star Sutton Foster and
makes it her own. And everything Foster brought to the role of Violet – the
absolutely phenomenal singing voice, the remarkable comfort on stage, the
complexity and feisty charm – Gevaart has in spades.*

*It would be impossible to take your eyes off of her if not for the other
featured players who share these same traits, including Eugene Sumlin and
Eric Fancher as soldiers Flick and Monty, Daniel Simpson as Violet’s
father, and Emily Kenville as 13-year-old Violet (Jade McGee plays the role
on alternating nights).*

*Ditto for the ensemble, who fill the stage with interesting and honest
character choices and the rafters with rich, gorgeous sound.”
                                                          Bob Abelman,
Cleveland Jewish News*



*“As Violet, Neely Gevaart is absolutely wonderful, belting out the songs
that need it and then tenderly handling a quiet piece, such as when she
croons to Monty as they lie in bed in “Lay Down Your Head.” Gevaart looks
and feels the part, providing enough edge to her role so that the
disfiguring accident doesn’t come across as just a handy framing device.”
Christine Howey, Raves and Pans*





*The Roles:*

*Violet*: *Neely Gevaart+ **(EMC Candidate)*

*Monty*: *Eric Fancher+** (EMC Candidate)*

*Flick*: *Eugene Sumlin*

*Young Violet*: *Emily Kenville/Jade McGee*

*Father*: *Daniel Simpson*

*Old Lady*: *Bernadette Hisey*

*Lula*: *Nicole Sumlin* **(courtesy of Actor’s Equity Association) *
*The Preacher*: *Robert Pierce*



*The Ensemble** Andrea Belser,* *Ashley Bossard, Sara Chapman, Sharron
Foxx, Stephanie Harden, Joanna May Hunkins, Antoinette Kula, Alicia
O’Neill,  Robert Pierce, Adam Shimko, Will Sanborn and Josephy Alvey.*

*“Indeed, the characters and the music in Violet are both complex and
believable, creating a seamless work that is fully satisfying. As Violet
and Finch grow closer, two people being judged by their outward appearance,
the play concludes by saying “Yes” to a happy ending that feels fully
earned.”                                               Christine Howey,
Raves and Pans*



*Production Dates:* Violet *will open on Friday, January 30 and run through
February15, 2015:*

*Friday February 6 @ 7:30pm*

*Saturday, February 7 @ 7:30pm*

*Sunday, February 8 @ 2:00pm*

*Friday February 13 @ 7:30pm*

*Saturday, February 14 @ 7:30pm*

*Sunday, February 15 @ 2:00pm*

*Violet* *will open on Friday, January 30 and run through February 15,
2015. There will be nine (9) performances. *

*Tickets: *

*$15 for adults, $13 for seniors and $7 for all students. Call 440.525.7134
<440.525.7134> for for ticket reservations and information about group
discounts. For more information please contact Dr. Martin Friedman at
martinfriedman98 at gmail.com <martinfriedman98 at gmail.com>. *



*Location: Lakeland Community College. 7700 Clocktower Drive Kirtland, Ohio
44094. Take I 90 East. Get off at *

*Rt. 306. Turn right. At the first stop light turn left into Lakeland
Community College. Get in the right lane. At first stop sign*

*turn right. At the next stop sign turn right. Go forward a hundred feet
and turn left into the Faculty/Staff parking lot.*

*Performing Arts Center is to the left of the Clocktower.*
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.neohiopal.org/pipermail/neohiopal-neohiopal.org/attachments/20150206/eb567e27/attachment-0001.htm>