Violet won the Drama Critics’ Circle award and the Lucille Lortel award for Best Musical when it opened in 1997. The show features a score of show-stopping anthems ranging from American-roots to folk to Gospel from one of the most vibrant composers of modern musical theatre—Jeanine Tesori, whose other credits include Caroline or Change, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Shrek and Fun Home now on Broadway!
The story is centered on Violet who was struck by a wayward axe blade as a child while her father was chopping wood, leaving a visible scar across her face. She has saved money to travel across the Deep South in 1964 hoping for a miracle—that a TV evangelist will make her beautiful.
The cast includes returning favorites and new voices to bring the characters to life. Jennifer DeRosa of New York City plays Violet and Mollie DeFilippo of Caldwell is Young Violet. Flick is played by Rasheem Ford of Cambria Heights, NY. John Zisa of Pennington plays Monty. Clifton residents featured in the cast include Sindy De La Cruz (Music Hall Singer); Michael Rush (Preacher); and Joseph Tible (Leroy Evans/Virgil). Carey Will (Waiter), Katie Claire McGrath (Waitress) and Kim Mesiti (Hotel Singer/Mabel) are from Bloomfield. The Mean Girls group is brought to life by Sofia Fusco (Glen Rock), Liliana Patracuolla (Fairfield) and Emma Saccone (Essex Fells). Montclair residents are Christa Carlucci (Ensemble), Gary Koseyan (Mechanic) and Lindsey Yoder (Ensemble). Michael Egan (NYC) takes the role of Billy Dean, while Joshua Powell (NYC) is Father. Matt Shafer of Woodland Park is the bus driver; Julie Galorenzo of Verona is the Old Lady and Edwin Contreras of Paterson is Rufus. Completing the cast are Kylie Francis of Springfield (Ensemble), Mimi Francis of North Brunswick (Lula) and Meredith Yanuzzi of Belleville (Ensemble).
For more information about the Montclair Operetta Club, please call (973) 744-3133, send email to info@mocmusicals.org or visit http://www.mocmusicals.org.
