By Christy Hudson
The Utah Festival in Logan has almost reached the end of its 2018 summer season, but it has given a small preview of what is coming up next summer with a staged reading for The Violet Hour, a new musical that will have its world premiere next year. It is based on a play of the same name by Richard Greenberg. Music is by Will Reynolds, and book and lyrics are by Eric Price.
Because it was a staged reading and not a full production of the musical, the actors have their scripts onstage with them, placed on music stands. They don’t use many other props, and there was hardly a set. There was also not much blocking. Director Vanessa Ballam sits in the corner with her own script, and she reads the stage directions out loud whenever they are required. Other than that, the actors have only their voices and acting ability. However, they are still completely in character as they perform. They rely on facial expressions, body language, and voice inflections to tell their story. While some might think that a performance like this would be a less fulfilling way to see a show, it was actually still completely immersive and entertaining. It invited the audience to use its imagination to picture what was happening.
The cast consists of only five actors. All of them are strong in their performances; there really was no weak link there. They all have powerful singing voices, and their characters are memorable. There are only a few songs where all of the actors sing together, and their voices blended so beautifully, I wished they could have done more.
Robert Gerold stars as John Pace Seavering, the up-and-coming publisher around whom the story revolves. Stefan Espinosa plays Gidger, his sarcastic yet endearing assistant. Denis McCleary, John’s close friend, was played by Benjamin Adams, and his girlfriend, Rosamund Plinth, was played by Leah Brzyski. And last, but certainly not least, Jazmine Olwalia plays John’s mistress, Jessie Brewster.
The story takes place on April 1, 1919, in New York City. John is going through manuscripts at his new office, trying to choose the one book he can afford to publish, which will hopefully help him break into the business. His friend Denis comes in, asking him to choose to publish the book he wrote. He tells him that he needs it published in order to win over the father of his girlfriend, Rosamund, so they can get married. John’s mistress Jessie, however, also has a book she wants him to publish. Meanwhile, Gidger is in the other room, battling with a mysterious machine that was delivered to their office, which is spouting papers all over the place.
The show is split into two acts, and the tone shifts quite a bit between them. This is mostly because, at the very end of the first act, we learn that the mysterious machine is printing pages of books that are written in the future. So, while the first act seemed like a pretty standard comedy, it suddenly felt more like science-fiction. While it was fun to see them learn about some of the wild changes the earth will go through within the century, it does introduce some darker themes as John and Gidger delve into the future, particularly about what happens to them and their friends. It does still manage to include comedy, particularly with Gidger (there was an entire song of him discovering that a certain word will mean something entirely different in 100 years than it did back then).
Denis introduces the term “The Violet Hour” to the audience, describing that time of evening where the sun is almost down, and the sky is a beautiful shade of violet. Lighting Designer/Master Electrician Matt Robson creates the motif of the lighting effectively. There was not a full orchestra performing the live music. Conductor William Remmers and Pianist Julie Neish performed all of the music, which was mostly piano, but includes infrequent uses of other instruments, such as the ukulele and the rolling cymbals. Sound Designer Carl J. Whitaker created any other sound effects.
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I did not know anything about Greenberg’s play before I attended this musical reading. I didn’t even know what The Violet Hour was about. So, I really can’t compare the play to this new musical. To my knowledge, the new musical did not vary from the play’s plot, but I have only briefly looked up the play since I saw the reading. I think I might have to look more into the play now, just to see what it is like, as well.
Reynolds’ and Price’s new musical The Violet Hour at Utah Festival Opera was very enjoyable. It was both funny and dramatic, and was insightful as pertaining to the themes of time and fate. The original music is good, and there are several memorable songs throughout it. The staged reading was an interesting experience, and I, for one, want to be here next year to see the full, completed production.
Utah Festival Opera Presents the Violet Hour: A Staged Reading of a New Musical, Music by Will Reynolds, Book and Lyrics by Eric Price. Based on the play by Richard Greenberg
Utah Theatre, 18 West Center Street, Logan, Utah 84321
July 31, 2018, 7:30 PM
Contact: 435-750-0300
Email: opera@ufomt.org
Utah Festival Opera Facebook Page
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