Violet at Beck Center for the Arts - Studio Theater

Violet, with book and lyrics by Brian Crawley and music by Jeanine Tesori, is inspired by the short story The Ugliest Pilgrim by Doris Betts. The show follows Violet, a young woman scarred by an axe blade as a child, who travels across the Deep South in 1964 seeking the healing touch of a TV evangelist. Along the way, she encounters a young Black soldier whose love recognizes her deeper beauty. Winner of the Drama Critics' Circle Award and Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical at its Off-Broadway premiere in 1997, the show features a score ranging from American roots to folk to gospel, directed by Scott Spence with musical direction by Larry Goodpaster and choreography by Lauren Marousek.