Stage Left Players offer uplifting 'Enchanted April'
By Stephanie Ottey
Lisbon
With spring fighting to stay in the area these days, it’s nice to get any reprieve from the clouds and chill. The Stage Left Players are offering local theater-goers the opportunity to escape the drizzle for a while, with a play that is all too easy to relate to.
“Enchanted April” is based on the novel “The Enchanted April” by Elizabeth von Arnim.
In both, a story of rebirth is told.
The unhappy Lotty is browsing the New York Times when she stumbles upon an irresistible advertisement for a castle in Italy that is available to rent for the month of April. Finding herself without the funds to fully pay for the extended holiday but desperate to escape the dreariness of her London life, she tries to recruit Rose Arnott, a loose acquaintance, to join her. Reluctantly, Rose agrees to take the trip, but the ladies find they still don’t have enough money, so they put out their own ad and find two more women in need of a change of scenery and life. Once in the land of “wisteria and sunshine” the ladies bond and grow through tears and laughter.
This stage adaptation by Matthew Barber fully captures the fantasy of an extended vacation in an enchanted place, but the play leaves little time for characters to grow organically. Much of the progress in friendships and in individuals feels forced or unmotivated, mainly because it’s hard to fit so many strong transformations into only two hours of storytelling.
Thankfully, director John Diddle has selected a unique group of actors to clearly define the characters.
Kandace Cleland, typically found directing, is the driving force behind the story as the whimsical and determined Lotty. Cleland is charming and sincere in her role, and she brings an energy to the stage that pushes the audience to engage.
Her antithesis, Rose, is played by Patti Jo Pritchard L’Italien. L’Italien is appropriately reserved and cold throughout Act 1, but nicely changes heart in Act 2.
The lovely Lady Caroline Bramble is thoroughly conceived by Ali Cleland, and it’s a travesty that she doesn’t have a stronger role within the story. The young Cleland, like her mother, shines onstage.
Quite unusually, the fourth member of the central entourage of ladies is played by a man. Out of necessity, Jacob Ward steps into the role of Mrs. Clayton Graves. Ward gives an honest effort in creating a believable Mrs. Graves, but it doesn’t quite work. In a play that centers on the theme of female empowerment, it feels backward to have a man in a central role.
The supporting cast is composed of Bill Finley, Will Flannigan, Nathan Kuhns and Jody Lewis.
The uplifting story of “Enchanted April” and the flourishing set design will undoubtedly transport audiences to a place of sunshine and happiness.
“Enchanted April” runs through next Sunday at 234 E. Lincoln Way, Lisbon. Performances are at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 5 p.m. next Sunday. For more information, call 330-831-7249.