Tickets on sale for Magenta Theater’s Black Chair Project

‘Enchanted April’ performance to take place March 24

VANCOUVER — Tickets will go on sale Mon., March 5 for Magenta Theater’s upcoming Black Chair Project entitled “Enchanted April,’’ a story of love, friendship and rediscovery.

This month’s performance features the script, written by Matthew Barber from the novel by Elizabeth Von Arnim. Magenta Theater performed this as a mainstage production in 2011 at their prior location.  It was such a well-received show it was only natural that it would one day enchant Magenta audiences again.

The story involves two staid London housewives who decide to rent a villa in Italy for a holiday away from their bleak marriages.  In order to help with expenses, they recruit two other, very different English women to share the experience.  During their enchanted month, the ladies fall under the spell of their idyllic, sun-drenched surroundings.  There, amid the wisteria blossoms, they rediscover laughter, learn new truths about themselves and find just the romance they need, though perhaps not the romance we – nor they — expected to find.  

Kristen Bennett and Kristen Noel play the roles of Rose Arnott and Lotty Wilton, respectively, with Casey Faubion and Tony Provenzola playing their respective husbands Frederick and Mellersh.  Jennifer Thoreson portrays the starchy Mrs. Graves, with Gina George bringing the role of Caroline Bramble to life.  

The role of the Italian speaking housekeeper, Costanza, is reprised by Michele Glover, with Matthew Thoreson playing Antony Wilding, the owner of the villa.  All eight actors have been seen in various roles at Magenta in the past year or so.

Black Chair Project (BCP) is a branch of Magenta Theater performing staged readings of plays throughout the year.  BCP utilizes the bare minimum of rehearsal time.  A set consisting of black chairs and black tables in front of whatever happens to be onstage at the time, actors dressed in basic black, whatever lighting is available, and a collaboration of actors providing their own props and sound effects.  Everyone functions as part of the machinery speeding along to produce high-quality and entertaining staged readings.