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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white" align="center"><span class=""><b><span style="color:blue">“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.” <span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span>Bob
Abelman, Cleveland Jewish News</span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white" align="center"><b><span style="color:navy">“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.” <span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span>Christine
Howey, <u>Raves and Pans<span class=""></span></u></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white" align="center"><span style="font-size:24pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black">Lakeland Civic Theatre announces</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white" align="center"><b><span style="font-size:24pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(51,51,153)">The beautiful, original and
compelling musical play</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white" align="center"><b><i><span style="font-size:48pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(228,108,10)">Violet</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white" align="center"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(51,51,51)">Based on </span></b><b><i><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(85,142,213)">The Ugliest Pilgrim</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(85,142,213)"> </span></b><b><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(51,51,51)">by Doris Betts</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white" align="center"><span style="font-size:18pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(128,0,255)">Book and Lyrics by </span><span style="font-size:22pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(23,55,94)">Brian Crawley</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white" align="center"><span style="font-size:18pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(128,0,255)">Music and Lyrics by </span><span style="font-size:22pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(23,55,94)">Jeanine Tesori</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white" align="center"><span style="font-size:18pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black">Directed by</span><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black"> </span><span style="font-size:18pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(0,0,191)">Martin Friedman </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white" align="center"><span style="font-size:18pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black">Set and Lighting Design by</span><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black"> </span><span style="font-size:18pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(0,0,191)">Trad A Burns</span><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white" align="center"><span style="font-size:18pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black">Musical Direction by</span><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black"> </span><span style="font-size:18pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(0,0,191)">Jordan Cooper</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white" align="center"><span style="font-size:18pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black">Costumes Designed by</span><span style="font-size:20pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black"> </span><span style="font-size:18pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(0,0,191)">Tesia Benson</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white" align="center"><span style="font-size:18pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black">Sound Designed by</span><span style="font-size:20pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black"> </span><span style="font-size:18pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(0,0,191)">Eric Simna</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white" align="center"><span style="font-size:18pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black">Production Stage Manager</span><span style="font-size:20pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black"> </span><span style="font-size:18pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(0,0,191)">Nichole Vencl</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white" align="center"><span style="font-size:18pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black">Technical Director </span><span style="font-size:18pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(0,0,191)">Stephen
Vasse-Hansell</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white" align="center"> <span style="font-size:18pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black">Featuring </span><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,153)">Nicole Sumlin* </span></b><b><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,153)">(courtesy of Actor’s Equity
Association)</span></b></p>
<p style> </p>
<p><b><span style="color:red">“The only thing not small or understated is the
talent on stage.</span></b></p>
<p><b><span style="color:red">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.</span></b></p>
<p><b><span style="color:red">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).</span></b></p>
<p style="text-align:center" align="center"><b><span style="color:red">Ditto for
the ensemble, who fill the stage with interesting and honest character choices
and the rafters with rich, gorgeous sound.” <span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span>Bob Abelman, Cleveland Jewish News</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(51,51,51);background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12pt"><b><span style="color:blue">“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.”<span style> </span>Christine Howey, <u>Raves and Pans</u></span></b><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:blue;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white"></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(51,51,51);background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12pt"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white"><b><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:purple">The Roles:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:14.4pt;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white"><b><span style="font-family:Arial;color:red">Violet</span></b><span style="font-family:Arial;color:red">:</span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black"> </span><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,153)">Neely Gevaart+ </span></b><b><span style="font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,153)">(EMC Candidate)</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:14.4pt;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white"><b><span style="font-family:Arial;color:red">Monty</span></b><span style="font-family:Arial;color:red">: </span><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,153)">Eric Fancher+</span></b><b><span style="font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,153)"> (EMC Candidate)</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:14.4pt;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white"><b><span style="font-family:Arial;color:red">Flick</span></b><span style="font-family:Arial;color:red">:</span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black"> </span><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,153)">Eugene Sumlin</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:14.4pt;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white"><b><span style="font-family:Arial;color:red">Young
Violet</span></b><span style="font-family:Arial;color:red">:</span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black"> </span><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,153)">Emily Kenville/Jade McGee</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:14.4pt;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white"><b><span style="font-family:Arial;color:red">Father</span></b><span style="font-family:Arial;color:red">:</span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black"> </span><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,153)">Daniel Simpson</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:14.4pt;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white"><b><span style="font-family:Arial;color:red">Old
Lady</span></b><span style="font-family:Arial;color:red">:</span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black"> </span><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,153)">Bernadette Hisey</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:14.4pt;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white"><b><span style="font-family:Arial;color:red">Lula</span></b><span style="font-family:Arial;color:red">:</span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black"> </span><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,153)">Nicole Sumlin* </span></b><b><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,153)">(courtesy of Actor’s Equity Association) </span></b><br>
<b><span style="font-family:Arial;color:red">The Preacher</span></b><span style="font-family:Arial;color:red">:</span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black"> </span><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,153)">Robert Pierce</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:14.4pt;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:14.4pt;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white"><b><span style="font-family:Arial;color:red">The
Ensemble</span></b><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,153)"> Andrea Belser,</span></b><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black"> </span><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,153)">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.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center;background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white" align="center"><b><span style="color:green">“Indeed,
the characters and the music in <i style>Violet </i>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.” <span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span><span style> </span>Christine Howey, <u>Raves and Pans</u></span></b><b><span style="font-size:24pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:green"></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white"><span style="color:black"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white"><b><span style="font-size:22pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:purple">Production Dates:</span></b><span style="font-size:28pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(0,0,191)"> Violet</span><span style="font-size:18pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black"> <b>will open on Friday, January 30 and run
through February15, 2015:</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black">Friday February 6 @ 7:30pm</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black">Saturday, February 7 @ 7:30pm</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black">Sunday, February 8 @ 2:00pm</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black">Friday February 13 @ 7:30pm</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black">Saturday, February 14 @ 7:30pm</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black">Sunday, February 15 @ 2:00pm</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white"><b><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(0,0,191)">Violet</span></b><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black"> <b>will open on Friday, January 30
and run through February 15, 2015. There will be nine (9) performances. </b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white"><b><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(191,0,95)">Tickets:
</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white"><b><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black">$15
for adults, $13 for seniors and $7 for all students. Call <a href="tel:440.525.7134" target="_blank" value="+14405257134">440.525.7134</a>
for for ticket reservations and information about group discounts. For more
information please contact Dr. Martin Friedman at <a href="mailto:martinfriedman98@gmail.com" target="_blank">martinfriedman98@gmail.com</a>.
</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style><b><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white"><b><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black">Location:
Lakeland Community College. 7700 Clocktower Drive Kirtland, Ohio 44094. Take I
90 East. Get off at </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white"><b><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black">Rt.
306. Turn right. At the first stop light turn left into Lakeland Community
College. Get in the right lane. At first stop sign</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:none repeat scroll 0% 0% white"><b><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black">turn
right. At the next stop sign turn right. Go forward a hundred feet and turn
left into the Faculty/Staff parking lot.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Helvetica;color:black">Performing
Arts Center is to the left of the Clocktower.</span></b></p>
</div>