It’s April 1st, 1919, and the young independent publisher John Pace Seavering is setting up his office: The most daunting task for John, an ambitious young publisher at the beginning of the 20th century, is choosing between publishing the work of a friend and the work of a lover. But suddenly, a mysterious machine appears and begins to spout unsettling news about the future. Unhappy with what destiny has dished out, John scrambles to make good and recreate the lives of his friends. This new work is a comic fantasy about fate, ambition, and loyalty. 

 

 Content Advisory

This reading contains racially biased language and themes that reflect the historical and social context of the work. While potentially upsetting, these elements are presented intentionally to provoke dialogue, deepen understanding, and confront the realities of racism and privilege. Viewer discretion is advised.

 

PRODUCTION HISTORY

Originally produced in NewYork City by Manhattan Theatre Club,

Lynn Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer,

at the Biltmore Theatre on October 16, 2003

 

 

The Violet Hour is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing,LLC, serving the Dramatists Service collection. (www.dramatists.com)”

BE A PART OF THE PROCESS

Communities are reflected in the stories we choose to tell. Once a story is told, it becomes as much a part of the listener as it is of the storyteller. To better understand our audience and enrich your theatrical experience, we invite you to share your views. Tell us about your interests. What do you want to see on stage?

Thank you for choosing to be a part of our story telling process.

By Richard Greenberg

Directed by Nathan Stith

 

Trevor Gagnon, Production Stage Manager

  

 

SETTING

John Pace Seavering’s office and its anteroom in a Manhattan tower.

 

TIME

April 1919.

Early afternoon to early evening.

 

THE VIOLET HOUR IS READ WITH A 15 MINUTE  INTERMISSION

 

THE TOBIN TEAM

President & CEO, Michael J. Fresher

Senior VP & CFO, Jeff LaSante 

Senior VP of Brand and Engagement, Christopher Novosad

VP of Development, Renee Garvens 

Director of Marketing, Lauren Keck

Graphics Manager, Rigo Ortiz

Marketing Manager, Alyssa Hayden

Graphic Design Coordinator, Lucy Coronado

 Institutional Marketing Coordinator, Millie Eckel

 

Senior Manager Front of House, Chance Margotta 

Technical Director, Hector Gutierez

Assistant Technical Director, Adam McCoy

Lighting Head, Gabriel Garcia IV

, Johnnie Rodriguez



BIOGRAPHIES
Jackson Gable

Narrator/Stage Directions 

Serves as the guiding voice of the play, reading stage directions aloud to help set the scene, convey action, and provide context. The narrator bridges the dialogue with atmosphere and movement, enriching the audience’s imagination during the staged reading.

Kevin Cox

John Pace Seavering

A young publisher at the start of his career. He is torn between publishing his friend’s massive novel and his lover’s memoirs. He struggles to make choices that will affect the lives of those around him.

Jeffery Hensel

Gidger

John’s assistant, who is both loyal and naive.

Grantham Woods

Denis McCleary (Denny)

John’s college friend and author of a massive manuscript. He is in love with Rosamund Plinth.

Emily Cross

Jessie Brewster

A popular black jazz singer. She has written her memoirs and hopes John will publish them.

Dani Andrade

Rosamund Plinth

A wealthy heiress and Denis’s new love interest. She is central to Denis’s aspirations and the potential success of his book.

Nathan Stith

Director – Nathan Stith is very excited to work with 100A Productions on The Violet Hour. He is an Associate Professor and Director of Theatre at Trinity University and has a a Ph.D. in Theatre from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Nathan has over 30 years of professional experience as an actor and director working in New York City and appearing in Broadway National Tours and regional theatres throughout the country. He is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and SAG/AFTRA, the professional unions representing stage, film, and television actors. Nathan is the former Artistic Director of Oldcastle Theatre Company, a professional regional theatre in Bennington, Vermont.  Recent professional directing credits include Jersey Boys at the San Pedro Playhouse, as well as regional productions of Souvenir, The 39 Steps, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Visiting Mr. Green and Shakespeare’s Will.  At Trinity he teaches courses in acting, voice and speech, and musical theatre performance and history. Recent Trinity productions include The Prom, The Thanksgiving Play, Company, Mystery of Edwin Drood, Into the Woods and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.