Though 7/25
Conflicting emotions rage inside the mind of the title character, known simply as “Violet,” in the current Porthouse Theatre offering. Set in the 1960s, Violet evokes a picture of an imagined rural life marked by poverty and no emergency care center. After an accidental blow of an ax (wielded by her father) permanently disfigures her face, Violet feels isolated and unloved. The only way the audience knows Violet (played by the beautiful Amy Fritsche) has a disfiguring scar is because she tells us she does and because other characters seem to think she does.
Violet believes that if she can just get to a faith healer she saw on television, she can be transformed. Since she lives in North Carolina and is poor, she takes a long bus trip to reach the Oklahoma-based preacher — which turns out to be a good thing since it’s on the bus ride that she meets Monty (Ian Benjamin) and Flick (Jared Dixon), two young soldiers on their way to Fort Smith (and perhaps to Vietnam). The leading trio is more than ably supported by the versatile ensemble of players inhabiting the Porthouse company this summer.
Without giving away the ending, it’s safe to say this quietly lovely musical is all about appearances and judging by them and how it’s possible to treasure what cannot be seen. If you enjoy gospel music, bluegrass, Memphis-style blues and just plain country, then this musical may speak (or sing) directly to you.
A few simple changes created by scenic director Terry Martin allow the front of the stage to become, variously, a bus, a different bus, a boarding house, a dance hall, a child’s home — all places where the action takes place. Just behind this area, the lively small band (music director Jennifer Korecki plus Ryan McDermott, Don T. Day, William Sallak and Michael Houff) stays put on a slightly elevated setting that resembles a country store. Their homespun music (by Jeanine Tesori) conveys a true sense of place. Lyrics and book are by Brian Crawley.
Directed by Steven C. Anderson, Violet runs through 7/25 with performances 7/15-18 and 7/21-25 at 8 pm and 7/12 and 7/19 at 2 pm. For tickets call 330-672-3884 go to porthousetheatre.com.
[Written by Laura Kennelly] [Photo by Bob Christy]Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223