For music clips and more details: see the website: www.enchantedaprilthemusical.com
Music by
Richard B. Evans
Book and Lyrics by
Charles Leipart
It’s a cold and rainy, post-war-London, February, 1922. In the London Times, a small classified ad appears:
“To those who appreciate Wisteria and Sunshine:
To let for the month of April - a medieval castle on
the Italian mediterranean shore.”
“Haven’t you ever seen things in a kind of vision before they really happen?”
“Me? No. Never.”
“That’s the way I see us both. In a vision - there in Italy! April in this
medieval castle!”
Life and love are about to bloom for four London women: Rose - earnestly good but hiding a secret desire; Lottie - full of life and a mischievous streak; Lady Caroline - a stunningly beautiful but jaded debutante; and Mrs. Fisher - a widow who believes her glory days are all behind her. These four ladies find each other and the castle of their dreams for one magical month on the Mediterranean. They seek a much needed antidote to their dreary London cares, and what they find on the Italian shore awakens them to a world of beauty, ardor, and the joys of living. Love and comedy ensue when their husbands and lovers descend on the ladies’ heavenly retreat - where passions bloom in the Italian spring!
The Enchanted April, the novel by Elizabeth von Arnim, has previously been the subject of two successful films and a stage play. In the hands of Evans and Leipart, von Arnim’s witty and insightful story and colorful characters, full of heart and humour – make for a fabulous new Romantic Musical Comedy!
CHARLES LEIPART writes for the stage and musical theatre. Leipart wrote the book and lyrics for the very timely "economic musical", THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING, A Musical Vaudeville, with composer Richard B. Evans. His awards include the prestigious Kleban Librettist Award for 2002; and the Global Search for New Musicals, Cardiff, Wales, 2005 for his musical FROG KISS. Leipart's other musicals include EXPRESSO TRASHO, THE SHOWGIRL OF 52nd STREET, THE DOCTOR'S WIFE, and ME & MISS MONROE, an original musical about Marilyn Monroe.
Industry Readings of ENCHANTED APRIL, A Romantic Musical Comedy will be presented at the Pearl Studios, New York City, March 26th and 27th, 2012.
The cast will include Ben Dibble, Beth Fowler (Boy from Oz, Sweeney Todd, The Bells Are Ringing), Amy Goldberger, Joy Hermalyn (Fiddler on the Roof, La Boheme, Candide), Rebecca Luker (Mary Poppins, The Secret Garden, The Music Man), Patricia Noonan (Pride and Prejudice, Death Takes a Holiday, Merrily We Roll Along), Jill Paice (Curtains, The Woman in White, The 39 Steps), Robert Petkoff (Fiddler on the Roof, Ragtime, Spamalot) and Bruce Winant (La Cage aux Folles, Fiddler on the Roof, Ragtime). Music Director will be Larry Yurman (On a Clear Day, Grey Gardens, Marie Christine).
For information please contact Brierpatch Productions, General Managers: phone 646.688.5715 or email info@brierpatchproductions.com.
Previous Industry Readings of ENCHANTED APRIL were presented at NYC's Chelsea Studios, with General Management by Brierpatch Productions. Directed by Annette Jolles, Music Directed by Larry Yurman, the readings were performed to an enthusiastic audience of NY theater producers and professionals, by a stellar Broadway cast:
Jill Paice, Robert Petkoff, Rachel Coloff, Rebecca Luker. Ben Dibble, Amy Goldberger, Michael Marcotte, SuEllen Estey, Lauren Jelencovich, Joy Hermalyn, Joel Briel, and George Dvorsky.
Rebecca Luker and
Amy Goldberger
Jill Paice and
Director Annette Jolles
Robert Petkoff
George Dvorsky
SuEllen Estey 
Ben Dibble and
Amy Goldberger
Joy Hermalyn
Music Director: Larry Yurman,
Asst. Music Dir: Paul Staroba,
Violin/Mandolin: Antoine Silverman
Photos by: Robert Petkoff
Logo by: Clare Piaget
ENCHANTED APRIL is being commissioned by West Bay Opera, the highly respected opera company based in Palo Alto, California, with General Director Maestro José Luis Moscovich. WBO<http://wbopera.org> is the second oldest opera company in the western United States.
Back to MUSICAL THEATRE
