Enchanted April
Matthew Barber won a 2003 Tony Award nomination for his first play, Enchanted April, which he based on the best-selling novel of 1921 by Elizabeth von Arnim. Now playing at the Lonny Chapman Group Repertory Theatre in North Hollywood, this romantic comedy is both charming and entertaining.
It is 1922 in stodgy old England with the usual stormy rain pouring down. Rose Wilton (exuberantly played by Katie Kocis) is married to Mellerish Wilton (perfectly played by Zakry Fin), a demanding stiff, prim and self-centered solicitor. Rose Arnott (Lacy Altwine) is married to Frederick (Van Boudreaux), an equally self-centered and demanding novelist. While at the Women’s Club, Lotty realizes that she and Rose have been looking at the same advertisement in the newspaper for a rental property on the coast of Italy. Feeling miserable, unloved, depressed and weary over the monotonous weather, Lotty longs to escape and be reborn and she tries to convince Rose that they should take this opportunity for a chance at some happiness. Rose is very apprehensive, but Lotty’s persistence is persuasive enough to convince her to join her in renting the villa. They begin looking for two more women to help share the expenses. They
find Lady Caroline Bramble (Oona Mekas) a beautiful wealthy and arrogant lady and Mrs. Graves (Lareen Faye) a rather tough dowager who demands her way. Naturally, Mellerish and Frederick are appalled at their wives decisions to leave them for a holiday.
Act II opens to a splendid set (designed by Justin Field and constructed by Chris Winfield) creating the magic of a villa by the sea in Italy where we meet the maid Costanza (a just right Italian “type” Laura Coker) and Antony Wilding (a young Jack Lemmon look-alike Charlie Bodin), owner of the villa. As the act evolves, Lotty and Rose emerge from their shells and become more playful and independent, Mrs. Graves becomes less of a stickler and Lady Caroline lets down her hair and even falls in love with Antony. At the same time, Mellerish and Frederick arrive at the villa, and seeing the changes in their wives, their love is rekindled.
The play is endearing, the cast is perfect, each actor is ideal in his/her role and the entire production is wonderfully directed by Patricia Lee Willson, costumes by Marion Wright. Enchanted April will continue through July 26.
Lonny Chapman Group Repertory Theatre
10900 Burbank Blvd.
North Hollywood