The new musical Violet got generally positive reviews in its March 11 Off-Broadway premiere and announced today that it will extend its scheduled limited engagement to April 6.
Robert Westenberg, who replaced Mandy Patinkin in the title role of Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park With George after playing a soldier in that production, and who played one of the charming Princes in Into the Woods, stars in the new musical Violet, currently at Off-Broadway's Playwrights Horizons Theatre. The musical was staged by Susan Schulman, who directed Westenberg as the villainous uncle in The Secret Garden.
Originally scheduled to run through March 30, the well-received musical has been extended to April 6 at the theatre on West 42nd St.
Jeanine Tesori wrote the music and Brian Crawley wrote book and lyrics for this musical, based on Doris Betts' story, "The Ugliest Pilgrim," about a disfigured girl who gets far more than she bargained for when she sets out on a quest to have her scars erased by TV evangelist.
Set in the South in 1964, the story has her crossing paths with two young men setting off of a quest of their own -- to fight in Vietnam. Westenberg plays the preacher, as well as a Bus Driver and "Rufus." Lauren Ward stars as Violet; the two soldiers are played by Michael McElroy and Michael Park. Also featured in the cast are Stephen Lee Anderson (Floyd Collins), Paula Newsome (Carousel), Cass Morgan, Michael Medeiros, Roz Ryan, Kirk McDonald and Amanda Posner. Ward was last seen at Playwrights Horizons in the musical Jack's Holiday.
Kathleen Marshall choreographs, with Derek McLane designing sets, Catherine Zuber costumes, Peter Kaczorowski lighting, and Tony Meola sound.
Songs in the show include the gospelly "Raise Me Up," "Bring Me To Light," "Let It Sing" (for McElroy), and "You're Different" (for Park).
The musical was produced previously at Playmakers Rep in Chapel Hill, NC, and had a reading at New York's Lincoln Center. For tickets to Violet call (212) 279 4200.
-- By Robert Viagas and --By David Lefkowitz
