Looking for something to do to help you forget about the stress of exams and assignments this weekend? Violet is the perfect musical to do just that! The University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre, & Dance brought to life this story that has hilarious, beautiful, and heartbreaking moments interwoven in. Even on a Thursday night, the audience was completely standing at the end after being left speechless.
Violet is about a young woman (Natalie Duncan) whose face was disfigured when her dad (Jamie Colburn) accidentally hit her with an axe. She grew up her whole life with people staring at her scar, or even worse, refusing to look her in the face. She finally decides to travel to meet a television preacher (Ben Ahlers) who she hopes will heal her scar. Along the way she meets Flick (Justin Showell) and Monty (Charlie Patterson), two soldiers on the road.
Natalie’s voice couldn’t have been any more fitting for the role of Violet. One must have a decent Southern accent and some killer vocal chords to captivate the audience; and she did just that. The audience was laughing while she was singing “All to Pieces”, about how she wants her physical features changed up like those of celebrities. They got chills during the strong performance of “On My Way” done by the cast. And they sobbed during Violet’s solo of “Look at Me”.
I typically recommend shows here and there to see, but this one cannot be missed. It is such a beautiful story with a cast who did not disappoint. The expected, but still shocking, amount of talent in this show blew the audience away.
There are still three shows left at the Arthur Miller Theatre: 12/9 at 2pm and 8pm, and 12/10 at 2pm. Tickets are $20 for General Admission and $12 for Students with ID. More information can be found at http://tickets.smtd.umich.edu/single/EventDetail.aspx?p=3355.
