Photo Flash: Pacific Coast Rep's ENCHANTED APRIL Begins Tonight

Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre (PCRT) will be presenting the World Premiere of ENCHANTED APRIL, A New Musical Romance at the Firehouse Arts Center in Pleasanton. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in costume below!

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 will be led by Broadway veteran and Bay Area Director/Actress/Choreographer Lois Grandi. Lois will direct this production and have 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. Mr. Bryant will be joined on stage in the PCRT production by several national touring and Bay Area professional actors, including Joy Sherratt*, Christopher Vettel*, and David Judson*.

Based on the beloved novel, The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim, the story and lively musical 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.

It's a cold and rainy, post-war-London, February, 1922. In the London Times, a small classified ad appears: "To those who appreciate Wisteria and Sunshine: To let for the month of April - a medieval castle on the Italian Mediterranean shore." 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!

ENCHANTED APRIL will feature scenic designs by Pat Brandon, lighting design by Mike Oesch and costumes by Margaret daSilva. The production stars Joy Sherratt* as "Lottie"; Amy Franklin Leonards as "Rose"; Rachel Powers as "Caroline"; David Bryant* as "Frederick"; Christopher Vettel* as "Mellresh"; David Judson* as "Briggs"; Ellen Brooks as "Mrs. Fisher"; Ryan Henry as "Domenico"; Maria Mikheyenko as "Francesca"; Josselyn O'Neill as "Angela"; Andrew Mondello as "Beppo".

ENCHANTED APRIL was commissioned by West Bay Opera (wbopera.org), the highly respected opera company based in Palo Alto, with General Director Maestro Jose Luis Boscovich. West Bay Opera is the second oldest opera company in the western United States.

The Firehouse Arts Center is located at 4444 Railroad Avenue located in Pleasanton, CA 94566. Performances run April 23, 2016 - May 8, 2016, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. Price: $18-$39. For tickets, call (925) 931-4848 or go online at www.pcrtproductions.org.

*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers

Rachel Powers as Caroline and David Judson* as Mr. Briggs. Photo by Peters Suh.

Rachel Powers as Caroline and David Judson* as Mr. Briggs. Photo by Peters Suh.

(clockwise from top left): Amy Franklin Leonards (as Rose), Joy Sherratt* (as Lottie) and Rachel Powers (as Caroline). Photo by Antonio Gonzalez.

Joy Sherratt* (as Lottie), Rachel Powers (as Caroline), Amy Franklin Leonards (as Rose) - and Bijou the dog. Photo by Antonio Gonzalez.