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

date 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

Silhouette of a human head on black.

Erin Driscoll

Violet

Silhouette of a human head on black.

James Gardiner

Monty

Silhouette of a human head on black.

Kevin McAllister

Flick

Silhouette of a human head on black.

Bobby Smith

Father

Silhouette of a human head on black.

Lauren Williams

Young Vi

Silhouette of a human head on black.

Madeline Botteri

Bus Passenger/Congregant/Club Patron/Choir/Understudy

Silhouette of a human head on black.

Troy Hopper

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

Silhouette of a human head on black.

Kellee Knighten Hough

Bus Passenger/Land Lady/Lula

Headshot of actor Gregory Maheu

Gregory Maheu

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

Silhouette of a human head on black.

Amy McWilliams

Old Ladies 1 and 2/Hotel Singer

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Nova Y. Paton

Bus Passenger/Music Hall Singer/Mabel/Understudy

Headshot for Stephen Schmidt.

Stephen F. Schmidt

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

Silhouette of a human head on black.

Chris Sizemore

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

Silhouette of a human head on black.

Katie McManus

Swing/Understudy

Silhouette of a human head on black.

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 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 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 McAllister as Flick 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 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 McAllister and James Gardiner 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 a young woman in a dress who reads a magazine. Behind them is a news stand with the words "Nashville News" on its sign.

Kevin 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 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.