“Enchanted April” World Premiere Opens at the Firehouse Arts Center in Pleasanton

PLEASANTON, CA–The Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre‘s world premiere of “Enchanted April” opened this weekend at the Firehouse Arts Center in Pleasanton, running April 23, 2016 – May 8, 2016, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. Based on the beloved novel The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim, the story and lively score of Leipart and Evans’ musical reflect its setting in post-Victorian London and in Portofino, Italy – the Jazz Age and the 1920s – romantic, lyrical, jazzy. In the hands of Evans and Leipart, von Arnim’s witty and insightful story and colorful characters, full of heart and humor – make for a fabulous new musical.

Life and love are about to bloom for four London women: Rose – neglected by her husband and hiding a secret desire; Lottie – full of life and a mischievous streak; Lady Caroline – a stunningly beautiful but jaded debutante; and Mrs. Fisher – a widow who believes her glory days are all behind her. These four ladies find each other and the castle of their dreams for one magical month on the Mediterranean. They seek a much needed antidote from their London cares, and what they find on the Italian shore awakens them to a world of beauty, ardor, and the joys of living. Love and comedy ensue when their husbands and lovers descend on the ladies’ heavenly retreat – where passions bloom in the Italian spring!

The PCRT production includes Broadway veteran David Bryant (the original Marius in the original Broadway production of Les Miserables). In addition, the creative team of this World Premiere production is led by Broadway veteran and Bay Area Director / Actress / Choreographer Lois Grandi. Lois directs this production with the assistance of Enchanted April creators, Charles Leipart (Lyrics/Book) and Richard B. Evans (Music and Orchestrations) along with award winning Music Director, Pat Parr. Enchanted April was commissioned by West Bay Opera, the highly respected opera company based in Palo Alto, with General Director Maestro José Luis Moscovich. West Bay Opera is the second oldest opera company in the western United States.

Mr. Bryant is joined on stage in the PCRT production by several national touring and Bay Area professional actors, including Joy Sherratt, Christopher Vettel, and David Judson. Since its inception in 2009, Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre (a 501(c)3 non-profit organization) has had as its goal to bring professional musical theatre to the Tri-Valley area. A significant step along that path was PCRT’s appointment in 2011 as the resident professional musical theatre company at Pleasanton’s newly-renovated Firehouse Arts Center.

PCRT has always distinguished itself via the quality of its shows, with the inclusion of casts composed of professional level performers with a mix of Actor’s Equity Association and/or long time experienced regional actors, singers and dancers as well as PCRT’s production teams with some of the Bay Area’s best-known technicians of theatre. Presenting the World Premiere of Enchanted April, with the company’s hallmark of including Broadway veterans both on stage and on the creative team, is another major milestone for PCRT.