Theater Bartlesville Open Enchanted April
Theater Bartlesville’s last show of the season opens at 7:00 pm this Thursday evening, April 13 at 312 S. Dewey in downtown Bartlesville. This delightful, romantic comedy by Matthew Barber is a charming, funny play that brings with it the fresh air of an April spring. Providing a delicious recipe for happiness, the show is comprised of four women, one medieval Italian castle, plenty of wisteria, and solitude as needed.
A 2003 John Gassner Award winner for Outstanding New American Play and a 2003 Tony Award Nominee for Best Play, Enchanted April is a comical, restorative journey of discovery…from darkness to light, from inhibition to unrestrained joy. It is beautiful and theatrically rewarding.
The stellar cast is comprised of: Maggie Rickords as “Lotty Wilton”, Bernie Meadows as “Mellersh Wilton”, Kimberly Wright as “Rose Arnott”, Alan Gentges as “Frederick Arnott”, Shelly Holdman as “Caroline Bramble”, Adam Molloy as “Antony Wilding”, Eloise Needleman as “Mrs. Graves”, Nancy Matthews as “Costanza” and Stephen Berg as “Stephano”.
The story begins with sweet-natured Lotty Wilton suffering depression from the bleak London winter, and from an oppressive relationship with her pompous solicitor husband. When she sees an advertisement in the paper to rent a castle in Italy for the month of April, an idyllic spot “for those who appreciate wisteria and sunshine,” she jumps at the chance to escape her downtrodden existence. Sensing an instant kinship with fellow housewife Rose Arnott, a severely angelic woman with sorrows of her own, Lotty persuades her along on the adventure. Seeking to reduce the costs, the two ladies find Caroline Bramble, a beautiful and exhausted socialite, and Mrs. Graves, an overbearing widow, to round out the party. As the month passes, verdant sun-drenched San Salvatore works its magic on each sad and hardened heart, healing grief and bringing hope to each of the ladies. With the arrival of two chastened husbands and one attractive young artist, romance blooms again!
According to Artistic Director Shelby Brammer, “Enchanted April is a fine play, lovingly adapted by Matthew Barber, based on the very popular novel by Elizabeth Von Arnim. It's so finely crafted with wonderful, bright dialogue that it manages to be both delightful and deep. We have a strong group of actors bringing their own vibrant personalities to inhabit the souls of these characters from 1922. What I like most about it is that everyone is transformed by the experience of the enchanted April --it's not just a play about a group of women, it's about the men, too, and I think everyone will have a moment of recognition while watching it. Funny, moving, insightful -- one can see why it was a Tony Award nominee for Best Play and why it continues to be produced everywhere. If you can't make it to Italy this spring, at least make it to Enchanted April. “
Enchanted April will open Thursday, April 13, at 7:00 pm and will also show on Friday, April 14 and Saturday, April 15 at the same time. The production will continue the next weekend, April 21 and 22 at 7:00 pm and also April 23 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are available online 24 hours a day at www.theaterbartlesville.com and are available at the Theater Box Office, Monday through Friday 11am-2pm at 312 S. Dewey, or call 918-336-1900.