'Violet' at Ford's: Not exactly a joy ride for young woman on Deep South trek

From the moment the spiritually and physically scarred heroine boards that Tulsa-bound Greyhound bus in "Violet," the slight and earnest gospel rock musical that formally opened Wednesday night at Ford's Theatre, a spectator has to believe wholeheartedly in the redemptive possibilities awaiting embittered young Violet at the other end of her trek.