Youth Theatre Company Takes On Topics Of Racism And Acceptance In VIOLET The Musical

Gateway Center for Performing Arts' Youth Theatre Company will close its 2017/2018 season with the powerful and stunningly beautiful musical Violet, with a score by Tony-winning Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home, Shrek) and book by the acclaimed Brain Crawley (A Little Princess). Winner of the Drama Critics' Circle Award and Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical, Violet is a Tony-nominated powerhouse production featuring show-stopping anthems ranging from American roots to folk to gospel. Violet runs August 3rd-5th, 2018, at the Black Box Theatre at Chaminade College Preparatory School, 325 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO, 63131.

As a girl, Violet was wounded in a tragic accident that left her face dramatically scarred and her sense of self worth even moreso. 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."

GCPA has a reputation for tackling difficult topics and challenging material head-on. Mikeysa Powell (Lula) has performed in six GCPA productions over four years, and she speaks to this experience. "We talked about racism on day one of rehearsal. It will always be hard, but having that conversation knit the cast into a family immediately." Violet will be Powell's final show before attending The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles, CA to study performing arts. "This couldn't be a better show to go out on," she says. "This show has taught me there are no boundaries to accepting people. It's our responsibility to care for each other no matter what. No matter what."

"Violet is a story of self-acceptance, racial equality, and looking out for one another," says director Paul Pagano. "These are all messages we need to hear today, and our cast has embraced them and each other with incredible grace and compassion. This is exactly the kind of worldview we need to foster in ourselves and in our young people, and being able to tell these stories and inspire actors and audiences to take these messages out into their world is exactly why GCPA is doing theatre."

Caroline Santiago Turner plays the title role, after her GCPA debut in last year's Carrie The Musical won her an Arts For Life Best Performance Award for Best Youth Actress for her portrayal of Margaret White. She shares the impact Violet has made on her both on and beyond the stage. "This is about an individual and collective responsibility we all have to love and accept others just as they are, to judge others not by outward appearance but by the content of their character. These are lessons we've heard our whole lives, but this show gives us a special opportunity to embody them. It also inspires much-needed hope. Violet digs deep into the pain of its characters, but it also shines so brightly with hope and love. I'm grateful to Take That with me, and I hope the audience will too."

Violet features a twelve-person cast, with Caroline Santiago Turner (Violet), Zion Thomas (Flick), Thomas Schartner (Monty), and Ellie Schwartz (Young Vi), Xander Piskulic (Violet's Father), Moira Healy (Old Lady), Caleb Miofsky (Preacher), Mikeysa Powell (Lula), Olivia Hellin (Hotel Hooker), Alex Eichholz (Radio Singer), Kira Averett (Music Hall Singer), and Alexander Bollini (Billy Dean). Violet is directed by Paul Pagano, Music Directed by Lori Pagano, and Choreographed by Stephanie Fox. GCPA is thrilled to showcase the artistic talents of Jim Robert (Sound), Chase Bryant (Lights), and Tracey Newcomb (Costumes).

Tickets are $15 General Admission and can be purchased online at www.gcpastl.org/tickets. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the box office prior to each show.

Visit www.gcpastl.org/violet for more information.