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Southern Miss Theatre Kicks off Performance Season with the Musical “Violet”
The University of Southern Mississippi’s Department of Theatre begins the 2015-2016 season with the musical “Violet” by Doris Betts. All performances will be held in Tatum Theatre on Southern Miss’ Hattiesburg campus. On Oct. 1, 2, 8, 9 and 10, the performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. Two matinee performances are set for Oct. 4 and 11 at 2 p.m. Prior to the show on Oct. 4, a preshow talk will begin at 1 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Southern Miss Ticket Office at 1-800-844-TICK.
“Violet” is based on Betts’ short story “The Ugliest Pilgrim.” After being badly scarred in an accident as a child, Violet sets out from her home in North Carolina to be healed by a televangelist in Oklahoma. As she travels on a Greyhound bus, she finds an emotional healing that is far more valuable than the physical transformation that she hoped for.
Chosen as winner of the 2014 Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Musical, “Violet” showcases a variety of music from the 1960s south including bluegrass and gospel. The musical features works by Jeanine Tesori and libretto by Brian Crawley.
Robin Carr, associate professor of voice and acting, is the director of “Violet,” the second musical she’s directed at Southern Miss this year. This past spring, she directed the rock musical “Spring Awakening.”
“Violet is a perfect fit for the Southern Miss audience. Set in the South, it has universal themes, gospel based-music and a very talented cast that brings these colorful characters to life,” Carr said.
“I believe this production will strike a melodious chord in all of us that will resonate even after leaving the theatre. Working on this musical has been a pleasure with everyone who has been involved.”