Photo Flash: ENCHANTED APRIL at The Sherman Playhouse

Set in 1922, ENCHANTED APRIL delightfully brings together four uniquely different women escaping from dismal, War-scarred London to the warm sun and blooming wisteria of San Salvatore, Italy. Leaving husbands and societal obligations behind, the desperate Hampstead housewives Lotty and Rose (Beth Bonnabeau and Stacy-Lee Erickson, both New Milford), severe Mrs. Graves (Katherine Almquist, Sharon), and seductive Lady Caroline (Ali Bernhardt, Lagrangeville, NY), along with some unexpected guests, learn to appreciate each other while rediscovering how to laugh and love under the Italian sun.

"If there ever was a ‘feel-good' play geared toward springtime, this is it," said director Susan Abrams. "The four women who come together to ‘revitalize' themselves in an Italian castle couldn't be a wider variety of personalities...their interactions bring about amusement, tension, and even poignancy. Then, throw into the mix two self-absorbed husbands who have to prove their worthiness, a charming Italian Landlord, and a scene-stealing maid and you have a beautiful mix of both conflict and comedy."

"A lot of folks don't realize how funny the play is," said producer John Taylor of Sherman. "There was a 1992 film based on the novel that was well done, but it did not at all bring out the humor that was present in [Elizabeth von] Arnim's novel. Fortunately, for audiences, the laughter is in the script and we have eight outstanding performers who deliver the comedy, the charm, and the wonderful springtime feeling that ENCHANTED APRIL evokes...of how it feels to of fall in love all over again."

Other actors in the cast include Paula Anderson (New Fairfield), Jim Lones (Oxford), Viv Berger (Southbury), and James Hipp (Danbury).

Along with Abrams and Taylor, the production crew includes Costumer, Terry Hawley; Lighting Designer, Peter Petrino; and Stage Managers, Laura Gilbert and David Almquist.
ENCHANTED APRIL first premiered at The Hartford Stage Company on March 1, 2000. The show eventually moved to New York, making its Broadway debut at the Belasco Theatre on April 29, 2003. The play won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best New American Play and also received a 2003 Tony Nomination for Best Play. Daily Variety called the show, "A comical, restorative journey of discovery...from darkness to light, from inhibition to unrestrained joy. Beautiful and theatrically rewarding."

ENCHANTED APRIL runs April 23, 24 30 May 1,2 7,8 14,15 Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. with a 2:00 p.m. Sunday matinee on May 2. Tickets for all shows are $20 for general seating.
On Thursday, April 22, all patrons are invited to attend a "Half-Price Preview Night" at 8:00 p.m. where all tickets are only $10. Students may see any performance for only $10 if they pay in CASH ONLY AT THE DOOR and carry a valid student ID. Students may not make reservations in advance for a performance. On opening night, April 23, a spritzer party will be held and all audience members are invited to attend.

Reservations can be made online at WWW.SHERMANPLAYERS.ORG or by calling the box office at (860) 354-3622. The Sherman Playhouse now accepts credit card payments both online and at the door.

The Sherman Playhouse is a local theatre company located on 5 Route 39 North (at the intersection of Route 37 and 39) in Sherman, Conn.

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