FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Tabard Theatre Company at Theatre on San Pedro Square Presents the Tony-nominated Musical,

VIOLET

SAN JOSE, Calif. (March 20, 2015) – “What you believe can change you.” The

Tabard Theatre Company at Theatre on San Pedro Square concludes its 2014-2015

season themed “It’s All About Perspective!” with the Tony-nominated and Drama

Critics’ Circle Award-winning musical VIOLET, featuring music by Jeanine Tesori

(Thoroughly Modern Millie, Shrek the Musical) and libretto by Brian Crawley (A Little

Princess, The Musical). Award-winning director Jay Manley helms the production,

which runs at Theatre on San Pedro Square April 10 through May 3.

Charles Isherwood of The New York Times called VIOLET “an enduringly rewarding

musical,” and lauds Jeanine Tesori’s music as “…her warmest, most accessible

score… with its tangy flavors of country, gospel, blues, and honky-tonk rock.” The

Chicago Tribune raved, “…the story packs an uncommon emotional intensity… the

music is uncommonly beautiful.”

Based on the short story “The Ugliest Pilgrim” by Doris Betts, VIOLET is set in the

deep south of 1964. The musical tells the story of a young disfigured woman who

embarks on a journey by bus from her father’s farm in Spruce Pine, North Carolina,

to Tulsa, Oklahoma, in search of a televangelist whom she hopes will be able to heal

her. Along the way, she meets two soldiers, Flick, a black sergeant, and Monty, a

young white corporal, bound for Fort Smith, Arkansas. Together the three find

themselves on a journey of discovery, love, courage, inner healing, and acceptance.

Media contact:

Ed Sengstack 408-379-9503 ed@tabardtheatre.org

VIOLET was developed at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s National Music

Theatre Conference in 1994. It premiered Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons on

March 11, 1997, where it won the Drama Critics’ Circle Award and the Lucille Lortel

Award for Best Musical. VIOLET opened on Broadway in April 2014, starring Sutton

Foster in her Tony-nominated role of "Violet."

In choosing VIOLET for Tabard’s 14th season, Producing Artistic Director, Cathy

Spielberger Cassetta states, “VIOLET is one of those shows that just makes you feel

good and glad to be alive. It is touching, engaging, and compelling. The score is

glorious, rousing, exciting, and uplifting. Our cast is outstanding. The material is

brilliantly creative, and I am thrilled to be bringing VIOLET to South Bay audiences.

This is a great way to finish our 14th season. Yes, I am excited about VIOLET.”

VIOLET Director, Jay Manley, adds, “I've directed dozens of musicals, but few have

touched me so deeply. VIOLET makes one "feel" in a profound and unusual way. It

has so much "heart." I think that's because we can all relate to Violet's situation; it's

universal. We have all felt "different" and excluded at some time in our lives. So her

transformation is truly inspirational, moving and joyous. And the music! From

rousing anthems and gospel to gorgeous character ballads - it's a treasure trove of

musical gems - truly a great musical theatre score. How exciting for us to be

bringing this rarely-seen show to a new audience that I feel certain will fall in love

with it as we have done.”

For every production, Tabard donates a portion of its concession proceeds to a local

nonprofit that is in some way related to the show. Tabard’s designated non-profit

for VIOLET is Community United San Jose for the work they do providing under-

served young people with learning opportunities in arts and science.

VIOLET will run April 10 through May 3, at the intimate Theatre on San Pedro

Square, 29 North San Pedro Street, in downtown San Jose. The musical will

perform Friday evenings at 8 pm; Saturdays at 3 pm and 8 pm, and Sundays at 2

p.m. There will be two Thursday night performances on April 23 and 30 at 8 p.m.

Tickets are available at www.tabardtheatre.org, or by calling 408-679-2330. Cabaret

Seating $38; Adults $32; Seniors $30; Students and Full-time Adult Students $15.

Advance purchase is strongly recommended.

###

Sponsored in part by a Cultural Affairs Grant from the City of San Jose and a Local

Arts Fund grant from Silicon Valley Creates.

VIOLET PHOTOS

PHOTO: “Jocelyn & Tim”

Caption: Jocelyn Pickett in the title role and Tim Reynolds rehearse a scene from

The Tabard Theatre Company's upcoming production of VIOLET, running April 10-

May 3 at Theatre on San Pedro Square, downtown San Jose.

Photo credit: Edmond Kwong/Imagewurx

PHOTO: “RuthE & Jocelyn”

Caption: RuthE Stein and Jocelyn Pickett in the title role rehearse a scene from The

Tabard Theatre Company's upcoming production of VIOLET, running April 10-May 3

at Theatre on San Pedro Square, downtown San Jose.

Photo credit: Edmond Kwong/Imagewurx

About The Tabard Theatre Company Founded in 2001, The Tabard Theatre Company is the managing and resident theatre company of Theatre on San Pedro Square, with administrative offices in South San Jose. Tabard is committed to making a difference in the community through the arts by presenting professional-level shows that are appropriate for audiences of all ages and are either new works, works not commonly done, or done with a new perspective. Tabard works with local Silicon Valley actors and staff of all ages. The company is also committed to making theatre affordable and accessible for all, a goal it meets through its various outreach programs. Additionally, Tabard donates a portion of its concession proceeds to nonprofit organizations that are thematically related to the shows and often includes food or clothing drives during its productions.

— It’s All About Perspective! Tabard.

About Theatre on San Pedro Square Theatre on San Pedro Square is managed by The Tabard Theatre Company and is possibly downtown San Jose’s best kept secret. The intimate venue hosts numerous Special Events throughout the year, including its exciting new live music series, “TOSPS Tuesdays” (pronounced Tops Tuesdays), most Tuesday nights at 7pm, featuring local musicians of every genre, full bar service, and FREE admission. These Special Events are in addition to Tabard’s regular season of theatrical productions.