PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "On Our Way" Backstage With Violet Star Lauren Kennedy | Playbill

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News PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "On Our Way" Backstage With Violet Star Lauren Kennedy Musical theatre favorite Lauren Kennedy, currently starring in the "Hot Summer Nights at the Kennedy" production of Jeanine Tesori and Brian Crawley's Violet, shares exclusive backstage, onstage and rehearsal photos with Playbill.com.

By Matthew Blank

August 22, 2011

Kennedy — who has appeared on Broadway in Les Misérables, Sunset Boulevard, Side Show and Spamalot — takes us through the rehearsal process with cast and creative team, introduces the company and offers a glimpse at the backstage activities and special guests in attendance during opening weekend.

Of the experience, Kennedy says, "'Thank God for everyone I meet, while I am on my way.' That's a lyric in the show, and it feels so appropriate for this experience. I met director Eric Woodall when I was 7 years old, in a production of The Sound Of Music at the Village Dinner Theatre right here in Raleigh, and we have stayed connected over the years. But this production is the most rewarding. We have had a wonderful time digging into this show."

"This production boasts an incredible ensemble, the majority of which were cast from here in Raleigh where the talent pool is unbelievably rich. Doing this musical adaptation of North Carolina author Doris Betts' 'The Ugliest Pilgrim' has been extremely authentic."

PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "On Our Way" Backstage With Violet Star Lauren Kennedy

Our first time onstage! — PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "On Our Way" Backstage With Violet Star Lauren Kennedy

Musical theatre favorite Lauren Kennedy, who stars in the "Hot Summer Nights at the Kennedy" production of Violet, shares exclusive backstage, onstage and rehearsal photos with Playbill.com. Read the Playbill.com story.
54 PHOTOS

The cast at our first vocal rehearsal. — The cast at our first vocal rehearsal.

Lauren Kennedy

Eric Woodall coming up with delicious choreography. — Eric Woodall coming up with delicious choreography.

Lauren Kennedy

Eric Woodall teaching said delicious choreography! — Eric Woodall teaching said delicious choreography!

Lauren Kennedy

What is a girl without her starbucks, script and phone? — What is a girl without her starbucks, script and phone?

Lauren Kennedy

The rehearsal room wall. — The rehearsal room wall.

Lauren Kennedy

Eric directing star-to-be Mary Mattison Vallery. — Eric directing star-to-be Mary Mattison Vallery.

Lauren Kennedy

Three of my favorite ladies: Morgan Parpan, Kate McMillan and Lauren Neely — Three of my favorite ladies: Morgan Parpan, Kate McMillan and Lauren Neely

Lauren Kennedy

Raleigh favorite David McClutchey — Raleigh favorite David McClutchey

Lauren Kennedy

All the men along Violet's Journey: Jim Dadosky, Melvin Tunstall III, Nick DeVito, Dennis Delamar, Jason Sharp, Jeffrey Todd Parrott and David McClutchey — All the men along Violet's Journey: Jim Dadosky, Melvin Tunstall III, Nick DeVito, Dennis Delamar, Jason Sharp, Jeffrey Todd Parrott and David McClutchey

Lauren Kennedy

Eric's assistant Andrew Britt overseeing the proceedings along with set/lighting designer Chris Bernier and SM Chrissy Rapp — Eric's assistant Andrew Britt overseeing the proceedings along with set/lighting designer Chris Bernier and SM Chrissy Rapp

Lauren Kennedy

Our first time onstage! — Our first time onstage!

Lauren Kennedy

Ugh... we can't hear ourselves. This is why we rehearse. — Ugh... we can't hear ourselves. This is why we rehearse.

Lauren Kennedy

My handsome Flick, Melvin Tunstall III — My handsome Flick, Melvin Tunstall III

Lauren Kennedy

Me and my soldiers. — Me and my soldiers.

Lauren Kennedy

Jim, Todd and Nick showing that "the people of Spruce Pine ARE stupid..." — Jim, Todd and Nick showing that "the people of Spruce Pine ARE stupid..."

Lauren Kennedy

The younger, prettier "me" with "Pa." — The younger, prettier "me" with "Pa."

Lauren Kennedy

The beautiful Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts. — The beautiful Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts.

Lauren Kennedy

Approaching the theatre... — Approaching the theatre...

Lauren Kennedy

... arriving at The Kennedy Theatre! — ... arriving at The Kennedy Theatre!

Lauren Kennedy

Look, a light grid! — Look, a light grid!

Lauren Kennedy

We got nothing on this stage except a telephone pole and suitcases. — We got nothing on this stage except a telephone pole and suitcases.

Lauren Kennedy

Alan Campbell working the box office... — Alan Campbell working the box office...

Lauren Kennedy

Bring on the press!!! — Bring on the press!!!

Lauren Kennedy

We got a Jesus fan, what else do you need? — We got a Jesus fan, what else do you need?

Lauren Kennedy

I got a lot of purple flowers for Opening. — I got a lot of purple flowers for Opening.

Lauren Kennedy

The gorgeous Hazel Edmond... without make-up! — The gorgeous Hazel Edmond... without make-up!

Lauren Kennedy

Melvin Tunstall III is using the costume steamer to steam his lovely face. — Melvin Tunstall III is using the costume steamer to steam his lovely face.

Lauren Kennedy

Next Slide

Yolanda Rabun putting the last minute touches. — Yolanda Rabun putting the last minute touches.

Lauren Kennedy

Ladies and Gentlemen, the adorable Kate McMillan! — Ladies and Gentlemen, the adorable Kate McMillan!

Lauren Kennedy

Look, Gordon Greenberg came down to see our show. — Look, Gordon Greenberg came down to see our show.

Lauren Kennedy

And Dave Clemmons came to see us, too! — And Dave Clemmons came to see us, too!

Lauren Kennedy

Me and my hubby. — Me and my hubby.

Lauren Kennedy

Eric and his amazing assistant Andrew Britt. — Eric and his amazing assistant Andrew Britt.

Lauren Kennedy

Alan Campbell, working the dressing room! — Alan Campbell, working the dressing room!

Lauren Kennedy

The cast, out celebrating!!! — The cast, out celebrating!!!

Lauren Kennedy

Jason Sharp really bonding with our stage manager, Christine Rapp. — Jason Sharp really bonding with our stage manager, Christine Rapp.

Lauren Kennedy

I love this man!!! — I love this man!!!

Lauren Kennedy

Me and the most amazing lady evah... Yolanda Rabun. — Me and the most amazing lady evah... Yolanda Rabun.

Lauren Kennedy

Flyers for our show. — Flyers for our show.

Lauren Kennedy

The ladies Kate and Morgan getting ready for the show! — The ladies Kate and Morgan getting ready for the show!

Lauren Kennedy

Dennis Delamar getting dressed. — Dennis Delamar getting dressed.

Lauren Kennedy

Connor Lillis take a sec to say cheese! — Connor Lillis take a sec to say cheese!

Lauren Kennedy

I am ON MY WAY! — I am ON MY WAY!

Lauren Kennedy

Nifty projection design by Will Mikes. — Nifty projection design by Will Mikes.

Lauren Kennedy

There's water in the well.... watch out! — There's water in the well.... watch out!

Lauren Kennedy

Watch out, Demons... David McC is on the big screen! — Watch out, Demons... David McC is on the big screen!

Lauren Kennedy

You got to give him room, and let him SANG! — You got to give him room, and let him SANG!

Lauren Kennedy

I have a very understanding husband and fellow producer. — I have a very understanding husband and fellow producer.

Lauren Kennedy

Yolanda Rabun — Yolanda Rabun

Lauren Kennedy

Go ask our beau, he understands... — Go ask our beau, he understands...

Lauren Kennedy

Jason Sharp is ready to go... — Jason Sharp is ready to go...

Lauren Kennedy

"If it's too dark to see with the naked eye, will you bring me to light..." (most beautiful song EVAH!) — "If it's too dark to see with the naked eye, will you bring me to light..." (most beautiful song EVAH!)

Lauren Kennedy

And last but not least, NC native Doris Betts, author of "The Ugliest Pilgrim" (the source material for <i>Violet</i>) came to see our show on Sunday!!! — And last but not least, NC native Doris Betts, author of "The Ugliest Pilgrim" (the source material for Violet) came to see our show on Sunday!!!

Lauren Kennedy

...and curtain! Thanks for hanging out, and come see us in <i>Violet</i> through Aug. 28!! — ...and curtain! Thanks for hanging out, and come see us in Violet through Aug. 28!!

Lauren Kennedy

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"We are enjoying stellar reviews and sold out houses," she continues. "Eric Woodall came down here and just rocked it out. He really understands how to get great performances out of people. This show is so masterful and we all feel lucky to be able to share it with our audience!"

* Kennedy, who stars in the title role, is joined on stage by Yolanda Rabun (Landlady/Gospel Soloist), Melvin Tunstall III (Flick), Jason Sharp (Monty), David McClutchy (Preacher), Heather Patterson-King (Old Lady/Hotel Singer), Mary Mattison Vallery (Young Violet), Dennis Delamar (Father), Jeffrey Todd Parrot (Billy Dean), Nick DeVito (Leroy Evans/Earl), Hazel Edmond (Music Hall Singer/ Mabel), Jim Dadosky (Bus Driver/Mechanic) and Conner Lillis (Ensemble/Swing). Eric Woodall directs.

Based on the short story "The Ugliest Pilgrim" by Doris Betts, Violet features music by Jeanine Tesori and libretto by Brian Crawley. The musical, according to press notes, "is a story of a young disfigured woman who embarks on a journey by bus from her farm in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, all the way to Tulsa, Oklahoma, in order to be healed."

Shows take place at the Kennedy Theatre inside the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh. For ticket information call (866) 811-4111 or visit www.hotsummernightsatthekennedy.org.