Violet Previews

[gleek4114]

The first preview is this Friday! Is anybody here going?

[beltingbaritone]

I'll be there!

[lightguy06222]

thats in 5 days from now... why such excitement to start a thread?

[ClydeBarrow]

Because it's VIOLET!!!

[bigbelterbaby]

yass !! tell us all about it, people going. I'm interested especially in the design elements since there are rumours this is not a "fully staged" production.

[Michael Bennett]

I'll be there tonight. As with Natasha Richardson in CABARET, Lauren Ward gave one of the best musical theatre performances I ever saw in the tiny original production at Playwrights Horizon. It will be fun to revisit it.

[oasisjeff]

I just don't see Sutton being able to shred as much as Courtney Love... is it all Hole songs?

Hole - Violet

[bigbelterbaby]

You mean Lauren Ward? :)

I do wonder what Lauren Ward thinks about this revival...funny here she just had her lovely comeback last season with her Tony Nomination and Matilda...

and now the show she got her big-break in (and a Drama Desk nomination) Violet...gets to Broadway...with Sutton Foster...Lauren Ward would have been like in her late 20's when she did Violet. Sutton is 39 and Lauren is 43 now. Sutton seems like a good fit for the role though. We know she considers herself a nerd.

.

[Michael Bennett]

Lauren was about 25 or so in the original production. And the character really isn't a nerd, she's an incredibly damaged and isolated young woman. The brilliance in Ward's performance was in the subtle balance of hope, naïveté and rage she was able to tap into on the turn of a dime. She also was so vulnerable and ultimately heart breaking.

On the surface, this isn't a role I really imagine Sutton in but it's been a season of wonderful surprise performances from women we think we know, so I'm looking forward to being proved wrong.

Maybe if this is a hit, Lauren can come back and cover Sutton's vacation - she could still pull it off I'm sure.

[avyrocks]

I'm going!

[alliez92092]

Did anyone rush today? Planning on going tomorrow and I'm super excited!

[Mister Matt]

Hoping to see this in May!

[Mr Roxy]

[macnyc]

Members are not supposed to disclose that information.

[ethan231h]

Brian Crawley's daughter is my best friend!

[Mr Roxy]

Oops. It has been deleted

[WhizzerMarvin]

I enjoyed Violet at Encores, but I felt like Sutton faded into the background and Josh Henry and the gospel choir walked away with the show. The balance of power has been completely restored with the move to the American Airlines, and Sutton definitely owns the show now. (Josh Henry still gets the biggest hand of the night for "Let It Sing," but it doesn't overwhelm the evening like it did before.)

I actually think they had MORE props for the Encores staging, and it's not like Violet needs some multi-million dollar automated set, but things are pretty sparse. The band is onstage and all the action is performed on one level in front, just like at Encores. This puts an extra burden on the performers to carry the show, but luckily they are all equipped to do so.

The sound was pretty rough- the mics were turned up so loud, which may have been to compete with the overly loud band, but I'm sure this will be sorted out in previews.

Sutton really is doing excellent work here. It's nice to see her out her brassy/tapper/flapper mode. Vocally she's in top form and the acting is strong too. I've always enjoyed her performances, and this one is easy and refreshing.

All in all a good night at the theater.

[pathman2]

Can you please tell me the running time? Thanks!

[Michael Bennett]

I enjoyed the performance tonight very much as well. The original production of this was so special for me, and while I do think the piece loses just a bit playing a large house, the cast certainly make for a valid reason to do this on Broadway. Sutton is doing excellent work, and Josh Henry and Colin Donnell all but steal the show.

I thought the direction was serviceable, but if I had any nitpick with this production it would be that it had that flat, "played in one "feeling that all the encores shows that transfer to Broadway theaters seem to have. I think Leigh Silverman could've been a little more ingenious with some of her choices.

Nice to see VIOLET on Broadway at last. I certainly wish it a healthy and successful run.

[justherehanging]

1 hour 40 no intermission

Wonderful production

[jbroadway4]

I saw the show tonight and I completely loved it!!! My friend I saw it with was bored. The show started off a little slow, but then it got better and better! Sutton Foster is brilliant, as usual. This years best leading actress is going to be a tough one!!!

[bwayphreak234]

I am going to be that person... what is the curtain?

[Michael Bennett]

No curtain.

Sutton is wonderful but Having seen all the likely nominees now, I still think this is Kelli O'Hara's year.

[jbroadway4]

I think this year is between Jessie Mueller,Idina Menzel, and Sutton Foster. I saw "Bridges" and I didn't think Kelli was all that great.

[After Eight]

"My friend I saw it with was bored."

I'm afraid I have to echo that sentiment.

For whatever reason, it seemed tauter, more poignant, and more compelling at City Center.