The Barley Sheaf Players invite you on a journey of discovery with their production of Enchanted April by Matthew Barber, adapted from the novel by Elizabeth von Arnim.
Have you ever dreamed about escaping your life? In dreary, post-WWI, Downton Abbey-era London, Lotty and Rose want to do just that. When they see an ad for a villa in Italy, they decide to rent it for a month, with two strangers instead of with their husbands. But when all the men in their lives show up, the villa ultimately proves to be a place of new beginnings for everyone. This funny, romantic, and heart-warming Broadway hit charmed the critics, winning the Outer Critics Circle Playwriting award and a Tony nomination for Best Play.
When asked what drew her to the show, director Michele Bolay explained, “The character of Lotty laments ‘I’ve done nothing but what was expected of me all my life, and thought that was goodness. I thought I would be…well…rewarded in some way, I suppose. That’s selfish, I know. But it was what I was told. One prepares, is good, and is rewarded. I didn’t know how quickly things change…Where everyone is racing to, I don’t know. I only know that I’ve been left behind.’ And I think that’s the way a lot of people feel. Ordinary people, people doing what is expected of them, doing things for others, struggling and striving to be good but wanting more for themselves and not even being sure what ‘more’ is. This is above all a romantic comedy but it is also very much about personal struggle, dealing with loss, emotional growth and finding connection to others. Things that are universally relatable. It’s a play about grownups for grownups, told with insight, affection, and humor.”
Bolay is proud to be working with a talented cast of local actors, including: Brent Adams of Perkiomenville; Ron Blasdell of Glenmoore; Laurie Burke of Chester Springs; Andrea Frassoni of Pottstown; Ashley Harper of Downingtown; Maria Jarrell of Royersford; Michelle Quigley of Spring City; and Matthew Snyder of Downingtown.
Joining Bolay, on the production staff are Producer Elizabeth Starr of Elverson; Production Assistant and Scenic Painter Kelley Stanford of Pottstown; Stage Manager Elise Dervinis of Chester Springs; Stage Crew Becky Iscaro of Downingtown and Amanda Frangoulis of Phoenixvile; Technical Designer Karen Barnett of Malvern; Technical Crew Scott Ryan of West Chester; Set Designer Brent Adams of Perkiomenville; Master Carpenter Allen Puy of Exton; Costume Crew members Sherry Snyder of Downingtown, Stevie Tayge of Malvern, Sharon Thompson of West Chester, and Deb Young of Downingtown; and Properties Manager Julia Leibhardt of Downingtown.
Enchanted April opens April 24 at The Barley Sheaf Players, 810 N. Whitford Road, Lionville.
Enchanted April runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. from April 24 through May 9. Reservations are available at www.barleysheaf.org or by calling the box office at 610-363-7075. Please be advised that, while the show contains no objectionable content, it may not interest children under 10 years of age.
Following Enchanted April, the Barley Sheaf Players hope you will join us on as we close our main season with The Secret Garden, opening June 5. For more information about these shows and The Barley Sheaf Players, visit our web site at www.barleysheaf.org.
