An Enchanted April -- The Musical by
Book and Lyrics by Elizabeth Hansen Music and Lyrics by C. Michael Perry
London, 1922.
It’s a rainy, miserable, dreary day in London and LOTTY WILKINS, a dowdy woman of about 30, is miserable and dreary in it. Longing for a respite from the rain, Lotty finds refuge in her women’s club where she happens upon an ad in the “Agony Column” of the London Times that reads: "To Those who Appreciate...
London, 1922.
It’s a rainy, miserable, dreary day in London and LOTTY WILKINS, a dowdy woman of about 30, is miserable and dreary in it. Longing for a respite from the rain, Lotty finds refuge in her women’s club where she happens upon an ad in the “Agony Column” of the London Times that reads: "To Those who Appreciate...
Book and Lyrics by Elizabeth Hansen Music and Lyrics by C. Michael Perry
London, 1922.
It’s a rainy, miserable, dreary day in London and LOTTY WILKINS, a dowdy woman of about 30, is miserable and dreary in it. Longing for a respite from the rain, Lotty finds refuge in her women’s club where she happens upon an ad in the “Agony Column” of the London Times that reads: "To Those who Appreciate Wisteria and Sunshine. San Salvatore, a small medieval Italian castle on the shores of the Mediterranean to be let furnished for the month of April." Lotty longs to be basking in
wisteria and sunshine and leave her drab life and tedious husband behind, if only for a month.
Lotty befriends ROSE ARBUTHNOT, a rigid, reserved and sad sort of woman also in her 30s, who yearns for a rest from her stifling duties and distant husband as much as Lotty. But they can’t possibly afford the castle by themselves, so they advertise for companions to share the expense.
They find two other ladies: MRS. FISHER a formidable and disapproving woman in her 60s, who can’t possibly be pleased by anything or anyone; and LADY CAROLINE DESTER, a stunner of a woman, lost in the complexities of a changing world and it’s equally changing morés.
The four women agree to rent the castle for a month of blissful privacy. But, instead of bliss, San Salvatore offers stifling heat, suffocating wisteria, and annoying housemates. Except for Lotty, who embraces the beauty and magic immediately, and blooms from the mousey housewife, into a radiant, confident “seer of all things.” Wanting to share this “tub of love” she writes and invites her husband, MELLERSH, an ambitious solicitor, who eventually finds himself charmed, not only by
“this place,” but by his wife.
Meanwhile, Rose is tormented by San Salvatore’s beauty, for it only reminds her of the rift between her and her husband, FREDERICK, a middle-aged writer of dirty books. She yearns for the love she used to have before she distanced herself from him after the loss of their only child. While on a book tour, Fredrick serendipitously arrives at San Salvatore to visit Lady Caroline, not even aware that Rose is at the castle.
Amid the blossoms of fragrant wisteria, the hazy heat and sensuous silence, Lotty innocently and lovingly guides each lady through and past their loveless lives to rediscover their hearts as Rose reunites with the husband she adores; Mrs. Fisher embraces the present, along with the love and kindness it affords, and lets go of her past; and Lady Caroline finds a soulmate who sees her for what she finally admits she is: a spoilt, sour, suspicious and selfish spinster, and loves her despite it.
In just a month, one short Enchanted April, the lives and hearts of four women are transfigured by wisteria...sunshine...and a small medieval castle.
www.anenchantedapril.com
London, 1922.
It’s a rainy, miserable, dreary day in London and LOTTY WILKINS, a dowdy woman of about 30, is miserable and dreary in it. Longing for a respite from the rain, Lotty finds refuge in her women’s club where she happens upon an ad in the “Agony Column” of the London Times that reads: "To Those who Appreciate Wisteria and Sunshine. San Salvatore, a small medieval Italian castle on the shores of the Mediterranean to be let furnished for the month of April." Lotty longs to be basking in
wisteria and sunshine and leave her drab life and tedious husband behind, if only for a month.
Lotty befriends ROSE ARBUTHNOT, a rigid, reserved and sad sort of woman also in her 30s, who yearns for a rest from her stifling duties and distant husband as much as Lotty. But they can’t possibly afford the castle by themselves, so they advertise for companions to share the expense.
They find two other ladies: MRS. FISHER a formidable and disapproving woman in her 60s, who can’t possibly be pleased by anything or anyone; and LADY CAROLINE DESTER, a stunner of a woman, lost in the complexities of a changing world and it’s equally changing morés.
The four women agree to rent the castle for a month of blissful privacy. But, instead of bliss, San Salvatore offers stifling heat, suffocating wisteria, and annoying housemates. Except for Lotty, who embraces the beauty and magic immediately, and blooms from the mousey housewife, into a radiant, confident “seer of all things.” Wanting to share this “tub of love” she writes and invites her husband, MELLERSH, an ambitious solicitor, who eventually finds himself charmed, not only by
“this place,” but by his wife.
Meanwhile, Rose is tormented by San Salvatore’s beauty, for it only reminds her of the rift between her and her husband, FREDERICK, a middle-aged writer of dirty books. She yearns for the love she used to have before she distanced herself from him after the loss of their only child. While on a book tour, Fredrick serendipitously arrives at San Salvatore to visit Lady Caroline, not even aware that Rose is at the castle.
Amid the blossoms of fragrant wisteria, the hazy heat and sensuous silence, Lotty innocently and lovingly guides each lady through and past their loveless lives to rediscover their hearts as Rose reunites with the husband she adores; Mrs. Fisher embraces the present, along with the love and kindness it affords, and lets go of her past; and Lady Caroline finds a soulmate who sees her for what she finally admits she is: a spoilt, sour, suspicious and selfish spinster, and loves her despite it.
In just a month, one short Enchanted April, the lives and hearts of four women are transfigured by wisteria...sunshine...and a small medieval castle.
www.anenchantedapril.com