There’s an old, clichéd saying that people are like onions — composed of many complex layers that cannot be understood individually.
Being cliché, of course, does not make it untrue. For the women in Enchanted April, this is very much the case. The play, like the women in it, is composed of many themes: independence, self-exploration and friendship where it is least expected.
The theatre, dance and performance studies school has brought the play — adapted by Matthew Barber from the novel by Elizabeth von Arnim — to the Ina and Jack Kay Theatre in the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center.
On a rainy day in London in 1922, Lotty Wilton (Chelsie Lloyd) reads a newspaper ad for “those who appreciate wisteria and sunshine” to rent out a small castle in Mezzago, Italy. When she sees Rose Arnott (Gracie Jones), a woman in the local club who she has noticed but never spoken to reading the same ad, she feels they are destined to go together.
Lotty and Rose have conflicting personalities. Lotty is eccentric and talkative, while Rose is reserved and religious. They are perhaps the most unlikely of friends, but both feel they need an escape from the same thing — their husbands (James Sakamoto-Wengel and Jonathan Berenson).
To help pay the rent, they recruit two other women to join them — Lady Caroline Bramble (Whitney Rose Pynn), a woman from high society with a love of cognac, and Mrs. Graves (a hilarious Ruth Anne Watkins), a smart-mouthed and strict older woman with a penchant for nuts.
After filling out the paperwork with owner Antony Wilding (Thony Bienvenido Mena), they take the train to the castle.
These characters are brought to life in a way that makes this journey one worth taking. The four women are deeply explored, compared and contrasted. The talents of the actresses make them relatable and, more importantly, worth caring about.
The exchanges between the characters are timed perfectly, whether it is one of the more serious moments sprinkled throughout the play or one of the many laugh-out-loud instances that keep the audience engaged. The entire cast’s acting is believable and wholehearted, brought down only by moments when their faux British accents waver or become difficult to understand.
Director KJ Sanchez manages to make every moment important. As Lotty and Rose fight with their husbands; as Rose gains confidence in herself; as Caroline admits a secret that haunts her; as Mrs. Graves bickers with the castle cook, Constanza (a flawless Olivia Brann) — each bit contributes to the self-exploration that makes Enchanted April so appealing.
Even the set reflects the voyage — both personal and literal — throughout Enchanted April‘s two acts. London is created simply — two walls that rotate to create different interiors, a window dripping with rain, a table and chairs.
But when audiences return from intermission, they are treated to a bright and sunny Italy, flanked by the castle and surrounded with lush foliage and a working fountain. It makes one wonder where the crew hid this stuff during the first act.
Audience members leave with a sense of their need for self-exploration. Watching these women and their relationships change delivers a positive message: When things seem at their worst, we can still change for the better.
Italy is compared to Paradiso — heaven. While it may be near impossible to reach that sense of bliss, Enchanted April delivers the wonder promised in its title. Audiences will think, laugh (a lot) and leave with a deeper appreciation of their own personal journeys.
Enchanted April runs through Saturday, Oct. 16 at the Ina and Jack Kay Theatre in the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $27, $9 for students.
RATING: 4.5 out of 5 stars
afreedman@umdbk.com
