The original novel by Elizabeth von Arnim has previously been the subject of two successful films and a stage play. But Evans and Leipart feel that the characters who inhabit the world of this brilliant story - their hopes, their individual stories, their interactions, their discoveries, and the immense sensuality of the Italian locale that transforms them - all demand musical expression as a Lyrical New Musical!
Richard B. Evans, Composer, and
Charles Leipart, Book and Lyrics,
team up to create a heartfelt Musical Masterpiece!
It’s 1922. A cold, rainy, post-war-London February. In the London Times, a small classified ad appears: “To those who appreciate Wisteria and Sunshine: To let for the month of April -- a medieaval castle on the Italian mediterranean shore.” Life and love are about to bloom for four discontented London ladies: Rose, married to a self-centered novelist of pulp historical fiction; Lottie, married to a cold, parsimonious, business-minded solicitor; Lady Caroline, a jaded debutante, looking for the meaning of it all; and Mrs. Fisher, a widow, living in her Victorian memories. These four ladies find each other-- and the castle of their dreams for one magical month in San Salvatore. The ladies only expect a pleasant holiday away from their London cares, but what they find awakens them to a world of passionate feeling and the joy of living.
Now if only the same transformation can be worked on their husbands and lovers--who are about to descend on their ladies’ heavenly retreat. Only then will the enchantments of April in Italy be complete!
CHARLES LEIPART writes for the stage and musical theatre. Leipart wrote the book and lyrics for the acclaimed "economic vaudeville musical", THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING, A Musical Vaudeville, with composer Richard B. Evans. His awards include the prestigious Kleban Librettist Award for 2002; finalist for the Fred Ebb Award in Songwriting 2005 & 2006; and winner of 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, and The Doctor's Wife. His stage adaptation of Helene Hanff's comic memoir, Underfoot in Show Business, received its world premiere at the Devonshire Park Theatre in Eastbourne, UK, May 2008, directed by award-winning BBC director David Giles. Coming attractions: B'way debut 2010 of Leipart's Lady on a Carousel, an original musical about Marilyn Monroe, produced by Chase Mishkin.
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.
See also MUSICAL THEATRE
