Baker musical premieres at MusicalFare
by ELIZABETH TAUFA Reporter

During production at Musical- Fare Theatre for her play "A Rainbow Journey," the story of Buffalo composer Harold Arlen, Heather Violanti had an idea for another play about a prominent Western New Yorker.

"I wanted to write a musical about Father (Nelson) Baker," the Buffalo resident said. "I had tried to write a play about him, but no one was interested."

As with "Rainbow Journey," Violanti knew that a musical about Baker would be well-received at MusicalFare because of the theater's affinity for local subjects. The show, called "Victory: The Father Baker Story," will premiere at MusicalFare on Wednesday, March 5.

"It's a twofold story," Violanti said. "It follows a sister, priest and scientist who meet at the basilica to discuss Father Baker, and they're debating what makes a saint. And it's also following key events in Father Baker's life."

Violanti wrote the book and co-wrote the lyrics with Randy Kramer, artistic and executive director of MusicalFare, who wrote the music for the play.

"We didn't want a conventional biography," Violanti said.

As for writing the book for a musical, Violanti said there is a different approach to ensure that the story doesn't get in the way of the music and vice versa.

"You have to allow for the fact that the music really tells a story," she said. "You have to build up to a point where it's believable that the characters will start to sing."

Violanti was recently awarded the Brinly-Hardy Fellowship in playwriting from the Mary Anderson Center in Mount St. Francis, Ind., which provides time and space for artists to concentrate on their work.

She is currently working on a play that will be a behind the-scenes look at at the first English-language production of Henrik Ibsen's "A Doll's House."

But for now, Violanti is concentrating on "Victory."

"You always have to revise but (the play) is essentially complete," she said. "I hope that people leave having learned more about Father Baker."

And being from Buffalo, Violanti is adamant about putting the city center stage.

"It's great to see Buffalo on stage," she said of what audiences can expect. "As a playwright, it's important to see your own city on stage. I want people to be entertained but also to learn the history of Buffalo and maybe question how they do things."

Tickets for "Victory" are currently on sale. The show will run Wednesday, March 5 through Sunday, April 6. Performances are at 7 p.m. Wednesdays; 7:30 p.m. Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; and 2 p.m. Sundays. There will be no show on Sunday, March 23.

Individual tickets for Wednesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday and Sunday matinees are $30. Friday and Saturday evening tickets are $34.

Reservations can be made online at www.musicalfare.com, in person at the theater at 4380 Main St., Suite 810 (Daemen College), or by calling 839-8540.