Together again: Theatrical couple back on stage in 'Enchanted April'
Bill and Alice Brown of Arlington Heights met onstage 27 years ago opposite each other in the musical, “Sweet Charity.” They fell in love, married, and continue to appear together in local theater.
The Browns have leading roles in the Harper College production, “Enchanted April,” July 19-21 and 26-28, in the Drama Lab, Building L, Room L109, of Harper College, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine.
Written in 1922, “Enchanted April” is a romantic comedy about four British women who rent an Italian villa for a holiday from their normal lives.
“I play Lotty Wilton, an optimistic, impulsive English woman in the 1920s,” said Alice Brown, “I am a caged free spirit. At a time when it was highly discouraged, I show my independent streak by escaping to Italy to find myself and redirect my life.”
The Browns have appeared in numerous productions together, including “A Little Night Music,” at Harper, as well as “The King and I” and “She Loves Me.”
Bill Brown appears as the character Mellersh Wilton.
It's just one of those ideal situations,” said Brown. “We rehearse our lines when we're taking walks or sitting around the breakfast table. It's very convenient.”
Alice Brown calls it a “dream come true” to work with her husband on this production.
“To share what one loves with who one loves is such a gift.”
Other actors in the Harper production of “Enchanted April” are Maria Burnham, Chicago, as Rose Arnott; Jennifer Lenius, Mount Prospect, as Lady Caroline Bramble; Stephanie Wooten-Austen, Rolling Meadows, as Mrs. Graves; Andy Todaro, Franklin Park, as Frederick Arnott; Jason Pereira, Schaumburg, as Antony Wilding; and Mary Luckritz, Des Plaines, as Costanza.
The production is directed by Kevin Long, assistant professor and director of theater at the college.
Luckritz, whose character, Costanza, is the Italian housekeeper, has been preparing for her role by meeting with Italian teachers and Italian speakers “in order to be fluent in Italian.”
There will be a special “afters,” a British name for dessert, at the close of the opening night performance on July 19, with free mini-pastries, coffee and tea.
Tickets are $12-$15; call (847) 925-6100 for tickets or visit www.harpercollege.edu.