Brent Barrett, Rebecca Luker, Robert Petkoff & More Lead ENCHANTED APRIL Readings Next Week

Enchanted April Enhancement LLC has announced the start of rehearsals today for two private industry staged readings of ENCHANTED APRIL a romantic musical comedy with book and lyrics by Charles Leipart and music by Richard B. Evans.

ENCHANTED APRIL is based on the novel by Elizabeth von Arnim. The book and lyrics for this new, musical version of the story are written by Kleban Librettist Award winner and Fred Ebb Award finalist Charles Leipart (Swimming at the Ritz, Me And Miss Monroe, Frog Kiss, The Doctor’s Wife). The music for ENCHANTED APRIL is by award-winning composer Richard B. Evans (The Playboy of Balyduff, So Nice to Come Home To, The Golden Touch, Dublin 1916). Charles Leipart and Richard B. Evans have previously collaborated on the musical, THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING, A MUSICAL VAUDEVILLE.

In ENCHANTED APRIL, it’s a cold and rainy post-war London, February 1922. 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 from their 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.

The production team is led by director Robert Pullen (producing & directing highlights include President Obama’s 2009 Inaugural Swearing-In Ceremony, 9/11: Ten Years Later, Some Enchanted Evening: A Salute to Senator Ted Kennedy with Bill Cosby, etc;). The production team additonally features assistant director Stephen Brotebeck (Ghost: The Musical); and musical director Lawrence Yurman (Grey Gardens, A Wonderful Life, Side Show).

The cast features Frederick: Brent Barrett (Chicago, Silence! The Musical, Camelot @ Encores); Francesca/Ensemble: Rachel Coloff (Lestat, Fiddler on the Roof, Urinetown); Mellresh: Ben Dibble (The Producers, 9 time Barrymore award nominee); Angela/Ensemble: Leslie Donna Flesner (Follies, Finian’s Rainbow); Lottie: Amy Goldberger (Xanadu 1st national tour); Costanza/Ensemble: Joy Hermalyn (Fiddler on the Roof, La Boheme, Candide); Mrs. Fisher: Flo Lacey (Follies, Under The Bridge); Rose: Rebecca Luker (Mary Poppins, Nine, Music Man, Sound of Music); Lady Caroline: Jill Paice (The 39 Steps, Curtains, Woman in White); Briggs: Robert Petkoff (Ragtime, Spamalot, Fiddler on the Roof); Domenico/Ensemble: Bruce Winant (La Cage Aux Folles, Fiddler on the Roof); and Beppo/Ensemble: Amos Wolff (Follies).

Performances will take place on Monday, March 26th at 3 PM Tuesday and March 27th at 2 PM. For more information or to inquire about attending please contact EnchantedApril@brierpatchproductions.com      

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos