Violet 1944

Opened: October 24, 1944

Violet - 1944 - Broadway History , Info & More

Belasco Theatre (Broadway)
111 West 44th St. New York, NY

Winner of the Drama Critics' Circle Award and Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical when it premiered Off-Broadway in 1997, and then on to a Tony-nominated Broadway debut in 2014 with a revised version, Violet is a moving musical featuring show-stopping anthems, ranging from American-roots to folk to gospel. With a score from Tony-winning composer Jeanine Tesori (Caroline, or Change; Thoroughly Modern Millie; Shrek; Fun Home) and book and lyrics by the acclaimed Brian Crawley (A Little Princess), Violet is inspired by the short story, The Ugliest Pilgrim by Doris Betts, astounding critics and audiences alike in two separate decades.



As a girl, Violet was struck by a wayward axe blade when her father was chopping wood, leaving her with a visible scar across her face. With enough money finally saved she's traveling across the Deep South in 1964 towards a miracle – the healing touch of a TV evangelist who will make her beautiful. Although she may not succeed in having the scar on her face healed, Violet is able to repair those scars that are lying deeper than her skin. On the way, she meets a young, African-American soldier whose love for her reaches far past her physical "imperfections."

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White Heron Theatre Company Opens BLITHE SPIRIT July 10
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 5, 2023


White Heron Theatre Company of Nantucket will open it's first production of the 2023 summer season, Blithe Spirit, by Noël Coward (Present Laughter, Private Lives) and directed by Skip Greer. Greer returns to Nantucket after directing 2017's Outside Mullingar for White Heron.

Amber Iman, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Annie Golden & More to be Featured in Williamstown Theatre Festival Readings
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 29, 2023


Amber Iman, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Annie Golden and more will be featured in Williamstown Theatre Festival's Fridays@3 reading series.

Grace Gummer, Mamie Gummer & Louisa Jacobson to Star in THREE SISTERS at Williamstown Theatre Festival
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 22, 2023


Additional cast and creative team members have been revealed for the 2023 Williamstown Theatre Festival summer season’s Main Stage Reading Series. See who is starring, and learn how to purchase tickets!

Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival Announces Lineup for 31st Edition
by Michael Major - Sep 20, 2022


Screenings will kick off with the Opening Night presentation of Mark Fletcher’s Patrick and the Whale, followed by the Centerpiece Selections of Ben Klein and Violet Columbus’ The Exiles and Shaunak Sen’s All That Breathes, with Kathlyn Horan’s The Return of Tanya Tucker – Featuring Brandi Carlile screening on Closing Night.

1776, JAGGED LITTLE PILL, and More Set For Broadway in Chicago's 2022-23 Season
by Stephi Wild - Jul 21, 2022


Broadway In Chicago has announced its next season, which will feature 1776, TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL, A SOLDIER'S PLAY, JAGGED LITTLE PILL, and MJ. Learn more about the upcoming shows here!

International Chamber Programme Announced For The Howard Assembly Room, Leeds
by Stephi Wild - Jul 15, 2022


As Opera North celebrates the opening of its long-awaited restaurant, Kino, the Company's venue on the floors above, the Howard Assembly Room, announces an international programme of chamber music to mark its first year since reopening.

World Premiere of A TRANSPARENT MUSICAL, 1776 National Tour & More Announced for Center Theatre Group 2022-2023 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 23, 2022


Programming has been announced for the 2022/2023 season at the Ahmanson Theatre and Mark Taper Forum. Find out all of the shows in the season, how to get tickets & more. 

People's Light to Present World Premiere of BAYARD RUSTIN INSIDE ASHLAND
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 13, 2022


People’s Light will present Bayard Rustin Inside Ashland, the world premiere of a play with music inspired by the true story of West Chester, PA native Bayard Rustin. Chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington and openly gay Civil Rights activist, Bayard Rustin was nearly written out of the history books.

New York City Opera to Present The World Premiere Of THE GARDEN OF THE FINZI-CONTINIS
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 19, 2021


This January, New York City Opera (under the direction of Michael Capasso, General Director) will produce its latest world premiere of a new American opera, Ricky Ian Gordon's THE GARDEN OF THE FINZI-CONTINIS, a co-production with the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene (Zalmen Mlotek, Artistic Director, Dominick Balletta, Executive Director).

Virtual Theatre This Weekend: December 19-20- with Adam Pascal, Josh Groban and More!
by Nicole Rosky - Dec 19, 2020


Broadway might be dark, but that doesn't mean that theatre isn't happening everywhere! Below, check out where you can get your daily fix of Broadway this weekend, December 19-20, 2020.

BWW Exclusive: The 101 GREATEST PLAYS of the Past 100 Years (1920-2020)
by Peter Nason - Apr 7, 2020


BWW Reviewer Peter Nason chooses the greatest theatrical works (non-musical) from 1920-2020; see if your favorites made the list!

American Blues Theater Presents 18th Anniversary Production Of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
by Stephi Wild - Oct 31, 2019


American Blues Theater continues its 2019-2020 Season with its 18th Annual Production of It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! from Frank Capra's film and directed by Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside with musical direction by Ensemble Member Michael Mahler. It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! runs November 14, 2019 a?" January 4, 2020 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. The official press opening is November 17, 2019 at 2:30 p.m.

Casting Announced For CABARET At San Francisco Playhouse
by A.A. Cristi - May 15, 2019


San Francisco Playhouse announced casting for Cabaret, the Tony Award-winning musical that will close the company's 2018/19 Season. Susi Damilano will direct, with music direction by Dave Dobrusky and choreography by Nicole Helfer.

Town Hall Announces 75th Season 2019/20: TRANSFORMATIONS
by Stephi Wild - Apr 27, 2019


Town Hall Theatre Company (THT) is thrilled to announce four compelling plays and musicals for its milestone 75th 2019/20 Season, entitled TRANSFORMATIONS. Town Hall's TRANSFORMATIONS Season opens with Matthew Lopez's fabulously sassy comedy The Legend of Georgia McBride; continues with the West Coast premiere of an enchanting original new take on the classic Brothers Grimm story Cinderella: A Fairytale; followed by Anton Chekhov's final masterpiece, The Cherry Orchard; and closes with the stirring Tony-nominated musical Violet. Subscription package sales are now available.

Single Tickets Now On Sale For The Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre's 2019 Season
by Julie Musbach - Feb 1, 2019


The Lyceum Theatre will open its exciting new 8 show season on June 6, 2019 with the Lyceum premiere of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, followed by All Shook Up, 9 to 5 The Musical, Murder For Two, Fully Committed, Crimes of the Heart, Swingtime Canteen, and the sixth annual production of the Lyceum's unique adaptation of the Charles Dickens' classic, A Christmas Carol, closing on December 22, 2019.

Photo Flash: Raven Theatre Presents SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER
by A.A. Cristi - May 4, 2018


Raven Theatre is pleased to conclude its 35th anniversary season with Tennessee Williams' stark and intriguing drama SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER directed by Jason Gerace, playing May 2 - June 17, 2018 on Raven's 105-seat East Stage, 6157 N. Clark St. (at Granville) in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.raventheatre.com or by calling (773) 338-2177. 

Disney / Pixar's INCREDIBLES 2 Launches Super Promotions Campaign Welcoming 14 Brands to the Incredible Family
by Macon Prickett - Apr 26, 2018


Disney•Pixar's all-new “Incredibles 2” kicks off a super-sized campaign this month, featuring 14 incredible family brands, including ADT, Alaska Airlines, American Egg Board, Best Western, Bounty, Chrysler, Clorox, Coppertone, Horizon Organic, Juicy Juice, Kleenex, McDonalds, SleepNumber and Zillow. Directed and written by Brad Bird (“Iron Giant,” “The Incredibles,” “Ratatouille”), and produced by John Walker (“The Incredibles,” “Tomorrowland”) and Nicole Paradis Grindle (“Sanjay's Super Team” short, “Toy Story 3” associate producer), “Incredibles 2” opens in U.S. theaters June 15, 2018.

Raven Theatre Announces SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER
by Julie Musbach - Apr 3, 2018


Raven Theatre is pleased to conclude its 35th anniversary season with Tennessee Williams' stark and intriguing drama SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER directed by Jason Gerace, playing May 2 - June 17, 2018 on Raven's 105-seat East Stage, 6157 N. Clark St. (at Granville) in Chicago.

Raven Theatre Announces Casting For SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER
by Julie Musbach - Mar 1, 2018


Raven Theatre is pleased to announce casting for the final production of its 35th anniversary season: Tennessee Williams' stark and intriguing drama SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER directed by Jason Gerace.

Jason Gerace to Direct SUDDENLY, LAST SUMMER as Part of Raven's 2017-18 Season
by BWW News Desk - May 10, 2017


The final production of Raven Theatre Company's 2017-18 season will be Tennessee Williams' stark and poetic Suddenly, Last Summer.

Tony Award Winner Alice Ripley to Coach Hoff-Barthelson Music School Students
by BWW News Desk - Apr 18, 2017


Tony award-winning actress and vocalist Alice Ripley coaches Hoff-Barthelson Music School voice students in the School's final master class of the 2016-17 season on Sunday, May 7, 2017, at 2 pm at the Scarsdale Public Library, 54 Olmsted Road, Scarsdale.

BWW Review: RING OF FIRE, Johnny Cash Jukebox Musical, Delights at Porthouse
by Roy Berko - Jul 11, 2016


Johnny Cash, 'The Man in Black,' was noted as a somber singer of such songs as 'I Walk the Line,' 'If I Were a Carpenter,' and 'Ring of Fire.' The latter was chosen as the title for Richard Maltby, Jr.'s jukebox musical, now on stage at Porthouse Theatre, which loosely centers on the trials and tribulations of Cash's life. While not autobiographical, per se, there is enough of the tale of the man to gain an understanding of Cash, his music, his strong belief in social causes, and his personal problems.

Charles Busch, Lorna Luft & More Coming to Feinstein's/54 Below in June
by Tyler Peterson - May 31, 2016


This June, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com/Feinsteins or call (646) 476-3551.

Small Town Theatre's TALLEY'S FOLLY Begins Today
by BWW News Desk - Apr 15, 2016


Talley's Folly is the story of one night in the lives of two unlikely sweethearts, Matt Friedman and Sally Talley. The one-act play takes place in a dilapidated boathouse on the Talley farm in Missouri. It is the Fourth of July in 1944.

Small Town Theatre Presents TALLEY'S FOLLY This April
by Louisa Brady - Mar 13, 2016


Talley's Folly is the story of one night in the lives of two unlikely sweethearts, Matt Friedman and Sally Talley. The one-act play takes place in a dilapidated boathouse on the Talley farm in Missouri. It is the Fourth of July in 1944.

Violet FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of Violet have there been?
Violet has had 1 productions including Broadway which opened in 1944.

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