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Enchanted April (2007) >
Calaveras Enterprise|Amador Ledger Dispatch
Lotty Wilton and Rose Arnott, two frustrated London housewives, decide to
rent a villa in Italy for a holiday away from their bleak marriages. They recruit
Lady Caroline Bramble and Mrs. Graves, two very different English women, to
share the cost and the experience. Among the wisteria blossoms and
Mediterranean sunshine, each unlikely flower in this enchanted garden blooms
again rediscovering themselves in unexpected ways. Set against the tumultuous background of WWI, Enchanted April celebrates the
foibles of broken relationships even as it mends them. "A comical journey of discovery from inhibition
to unrestrained joy. Beautiful and theatrically
rewarding." Daily Variety.
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Calaveras Enterprise
"April" leaves a spring in the step
By Mike Taylor, Calaveras Enterprise
(4.27.07) Ah the joys of holiday; waves lapping at the shore, lazy boat rides
and romance dripping from every vine. Such is the holiday Lotty Wilton
craves in "Enchanted April," a captivating little comedy presented by the
Main Street Theatre Works in Sutter Creek.
Area audiences might have seen this show when Sierra repertory Theatre
staged it last year, and I think it’s especially interesting to
compare the two productions - something I’d normally shy away from - but
here it’s important. Sierra Rep had a sprawling stage, replete with hundreds of
light fixtures and extremely elegant costumes. Money almost dribbled from
the wisteria vines. Main Street, on the other budgetary hand, has a small,
intimate set and simple-yet-effective costumes. The Matthew Barber
play is performed almost exactly the same.
To call this a "rerun" would be to cheapen the amazingly
entrancing Main Street production. Director Susan McCandless has a cast ready for the
adventure and everyone gets into their roles with earnestness
befitting a much bigger show.
Shaleen Schmutzer-Smith is a bundle of joy as Lotty, an English woman
who’s been craving a lot more from her dull marriage for quite some time.
When Lotty meets Rose Arnott (played by Lee Marie Kelly, who positively
shined as "Shirley Valentine") at her ladies club, the two strike up an
unusual friendship. Lotty’s the adventurous one, ready to leap at the drop
of a hat, while Rose is supremely cautious. Kelly plays the tense Rose as
if she’s about to burst at any second.
Upon spying a newspaper ad for a castle rental in Italy, Lotty coaxes
Rose into taking the holiday of their dreams. Unfortunately for the pair,
they have difficult husbands at home. Lotty has Melersh (Gregory Smith), a
stuffy curmudgeon if ever there was one; he barely notices anything
about his spouse. And Rose has Frederick (Michael Weber), whose budding
writing career is rapidly leaving Rose in its wake.
Both marriages need a pick-me-up, but initially, both women think
their days of wedded bliss are long gone. That’s why they decide to
shuffle off to the Mediterranean; they’re looking for what’s next.
The rental fee for the castle’s a bit steep, so Rose and Lotty place
an ad of their own, seeking other women to join the adventure. Lady Caroline
(Kristine David) responds, but Rose can’t abide such a "modern"
woman, what with her slinky manner and sultry disposition. Lotty, on the other
hand, welcomes the excitement she’s sure Caroline will bring to the mix.
For reasons even they seem unsure of, the pair also invites Mrs.
Graves (Hazel Johnson) along. She’s a set-in-her-ways widow who keeps to a
strict schedule, so much so that once the women arrive at the villa,
they’re tempted to clobber their elder companion.
As Act I ends, Lotty and Rose are aboard the train bound for Italy,
and they’re both extremely worried they’ve made a horrible decision.
Upon arriving at the castle, all bets are off, as they find relaxation
(despite Mrs. Graves’ scheduling everything except restroom breaks) and
rejuvenation amid the springtime pleasures on the estate.
Slowly, each woman is enchanted by the place, helped along by the
buoyant Lotty, who’s so positive she can approach annoying (at first,
anyway). Coming under such an unexpected spell leaves the quartet happy and
soothed.The women in the cast seem to have come under a spell, too, as they
effortlessly speak their lines rifle-quick when necessary. They’ve
come together for a purpose and they know how it’s all supposed to be
done. Schmutzer-Smith bubbles onto the stage at the onset, detailing a bit
of story and telling us what to expect. Kelly is a good as ever, easily
mixing Rose’s wary side with the adventuress lurking just under her skin.
Kristine David glows when Caroline needs to be the seductress, but
when the lady is caught with her guard down, David’s face speaks volumes. And
Johnson - in a role that could wind up being utterly sad or even
menacing - gives Mrs. Graves the wry sensibilities that can only come from a life
filed with rich experiences.
At the villa, Anthony Scoggins is suave and relaxed as Anthony
Wilding. The castle owner is in a little over his head with four women shooting
barbs and comments at him, but Scoggins proves a willing and able accomplice
to the shenanigans.
Not to be forgotten, Georgann Wallace adds much levity to the castle
scenes as Costanza, Wilding’s maid. Wallace has the toughest part in the
play, speaking hardly a word of English; yet Wallace rises above simple
words to give much emotion to her character.
Smith and Weber do well, too, in roles that might otherwise become
two-dimensional.
There might not be a big, frilly set, but the magic comes from the
players in this show. Add a hearty and tasty pasta dinner to the mix, and
"April" truly does feel enchanted.
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Amador Ledger-Dispatch
"Enchanted April" is Simply Marvelous
By Brandi Ehlers, Amador Ledger-Dispatch
(4.25.07)
Main Street Theatre Works' newest production, "Enchanted April" is simply marvelous - and I mean that in a good way.
"Enchanted April," by Matthew Barber, is the story of four women who appreciate wisteria and sunshine, looking to get away from their current situations for something more fulfilling. Set in April 1922, Charlotte (Lotty) Wilson, played by Shaleen Schmuter, and Rose Arnott, played by Lee Marie Kelly, meet at their women's club in England after an advertisement catches Lotty's attention.
A castle on the Mediterranean is available for rent for the month of April. Looking not only to escape the rain and their husbands, Mellersh Wilton, played by Gregory Smith, and Frederick Arnott, played by Michael Weber, for different reasons, the two women reply to the advertisement. Unable to afford the month's rent alone, they begin to seek two other women wishing to share in a similar experience.
The two women they find could not be any different - Lady Caroline Bramble, played by Kristine David, and Mrs. Graves, played by Hazel Johnson. Lady Caroline is just looking for a quiet place with no men, while Mrs. Graves is looking to sit and remember her late husband. The owner of the castle, Anthony Wilding, played by Anthony Scoggins, and the cook Constanza, played by Georgann Wallace, become an important part in each of the women's lives while enjoying holiday on the Mediterranean Sea.
While at the castle on the Mediterranean, the women each discover what they are looking for and it truly is an "Enchanted April."
All of the actors shine on stage individually and as a group. They each brought a different element to the table to make this production the best local performance I have seen. With Schmuter's energy, Kelly's uptightness, Davis' apathy and Johnson's old fashion ways, "Enchanted April" comes off as women who have spent their whole lives together as family.
My favorite part of the entire production had to have been when Smith became a little more exposed than most should see in public. It had the audience holding their sides laughing while wiping tears from their eyes.
Director Susan McCandless creates a flawless show that is not to be missed. Costume design by Michael Coleman was right on target with the women looking fabulous in period dress at every moment. Set design by Susan McCandless was ingenious with a change after intermission that you will hardly recognize it. Kudos to all the people involved with the building of this versatile and beautiful set.
The cozy atmosphere of The Playhouse at the Sutter Creek Days Inn is the perfect setting for a night of great food, new friends and wonderful theater. Marie Mennell of Back Roads Cafe in Sutter Creek created another wonderful meal to perfectly accompany the show. Beef, spinach ravioli, Caesar salad, tomato and mozzarella salad, and bread sticks with a tiramisu dessert rounded out the evening superbly.
Patrons are encouraged to bring their own wine or beer, as the Days Inn has no liquor license. Glasses and corkscrews will be provided.
Dinner tickets are $39 and include meal, non-alcoholic beverage, dessert, tax, tip and show; lunch is $28. Discounts for groups of 10 or more are available on Friday nights. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays, through May 19. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. for dinner; curtain is at 7:45 p.m. Sunday matinees will be held May 6 and 13. Doors open at 12:15 p.m. for lunch; curtain is at 1:45 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased at LizzieAnn's/Bubblegum Books, 59 Main St., Sutter Creek or charged by phone at 267-5680 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. only.
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