April 30, 2008
enchanted april: a review
My mother is flying in to town today to stay with us for a few days. It will be good to see her. I'm looking forward to the visit. One of the plans is to go to see Trish's show, Enchanted April, this evening. I didn't review it for you all when I saw it last week. So, let me give it a shot now.
Enchanted April is a Post-World War I comedy about four British ladies who rent an Italian castle for the month of April. Lottie and Rose are the two middle class house wives. Lady Caroline is the younger socialite. And Mrs. Graves is the walking epitome of Victorian England. Thee four characters make up the foundation of what is a delightful comedy of manners.
Now, I assume that you all understand my strong bias toward my wife. It's only natural. But I'm also one of her worst critics. We do this for one another. Trish is great in the show. Truly, the cast comes together so very well. And it's necessary. There's really no room for one person to shine in particular. They are dependent upon one another to make the play work.
The first act is all about banter. And the night that I saw the show, the cast was up on its toes hitting every mark perfectly. Very seldom does one character carry a joke alone. So, to let "the funny" happen, everyone has to be engaged. They did a great job.
Yes, the play is set in England. Yes, you will hear English accents. No, I did not find them distracting. That's good news. That means that the accents we done relatively well. No complaints there.
The second act reveals the ingenuity of the set. We go from a dowdy English flat in act one to a splendid Italian country estate in act two. Bob Knuth, the Director and Set Guru, did a great job. So too did the costumer. Holy cow, is this a pretty show.
In the second act, the play shifts gears. The comedy of manners is still present, but now more of a background effect. This act finds the audience witnessing the "translation" of the four ladies and their relations. It is a more introspective and emotional ride than the first act. And, British humor, I find, treads the tightrope of sentimentality and schlock quite well. This show is no exception.
All in all, it's a great play. All members of the cast are tremendous. There's plenty of humor and just enough endearing transformation to make you want to book a flight to Italy. Paradiso.
CircleTheatre presents
7300 W Madison • Forest Park, IL 708.771.0700
A show that leaves you positively glowing!
–nytheatre.com
A comical, restorative journey of discovery...from
darkness to light, from inhibition to unrestrained joy.
Beautiful and theatrically rewarding.
–Daily Variety
Enchanted April
A Romantic Comedy by Matthew Barber
From the novel by Elizabeth Von Arnim
1/2 Priced Previews: April 25, 26 & 29 at 8pm
MAY 1-JUNE 8
Thurs, Fri & Sat @ 8 pm; Sun @ 3 pm
Student/SRs: $24 • Adults: $26
LIMITED SEATING: Reservations Recommended.
708-771-0700
Director/Scenic & Lighting Designer: Bob Knuth
Assistant Director: Monica Wilson
Costume Designer: Suzanne Mann
Sound Designer: Peter J. Storms
Stage Manager: kClare Kemock
Featuring:
Patricia Austin, Derek Czaplewski,
Michael Gonring, Terri Lopez,
Darci Nalepa, Brian Rabinowitz,
Mary Redmon, Michelle Weissgerber