Two locally written plays will be showcased this week with world premieres on college campuses.
"ENCHANTED APRIL: THE MUSICAL," written by Elizabeth Hansen in collaboration with composer William Armstrong, will make its debut Thursday through April 22 at Utah Valley State College, Orem.
Hansen, an Equity actress who has extensive credits both on stage (on and off Broadway, several national tours, regional productions), has taught playwriting and screenwriting at Brigham Young University and acting at UVSC.
"Enchanted April" is based on Elizabeth von Arnim's book from the early 1920s, set shortly after World War I, as four disparate British women rent a villa on the Italian Riviera.
James Arrington is directing UVSC's new production, which will be staged in the Black Box Theater (Room 627 of the Gunter Trades Building).
The cast, a mix of UVSC students and performers from the community, include Jana Grass as Lottie, Melissa Stevens as Rose, Kristen Douglas as Lady Caroline and Dee Mancaluso as Mrs. Fisher, along with Gregg Rose as Frederick, David Walker as Mellersh, Linda Garay as Francesca (the villa's maid) and Amir de la Vega as Mr. Briggs, the landlord.
"I got the idea for the musical many years ago," said Hansen, "then the play came out, and I was happy it wasn't a musical. I saw the movie in the '90s and then got the book — and I'm not a big reader, but von Arnim is such a wonderful writer. Her prose is just as charming as her story.
"When I read the book, the lyricism lended itself to music. I thought 'Oh, here's a good place for a song' or 'She could sing this.' There's so much inner life that goes on in the book, and that's where music plays a big part."
She said the music has "a sort of Sondheim-ish feel, without his cynicism."
Performances are Thursday-Saturday this week and Monday-Saturday the following week, all at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $8 for children, students and UVSC faculty-staff and $6 for UVSC students. They're available in advance from the Campus Connection (863-8797).
"OFFICER'S MESS," a short play by Utah author Paul Cracroft based on a telling incident during his own World War II experiences in Japan, will be presented during Thursday evening's gathering of the Babcock Performing Readers at 7:30 p.m. in the LNCO Auditorium, located in the Language & Communications Building, just east of Orson Spencer Hall on the University of Utah campus. The performance is directed by Ron Frederickson.
Cracroft, then a brand new Yankee Infantry officer, boarded a troop ship on Aug. 12, 1945, just days before Japan's unconditional surrender. After reaching Kobe six weeks later, the gutsy young second lieutenant put his career on the line by calling a general to account for his actions.
Cracroft is well-known as a poet, writer, editor and publisher. He has taught journalism and was director of public relations at the U., manager of Kingsbury Hall and host of a long-running television interview program.
The Babcock Performing Readers' monthly performances include free admission, parking and refreshments (www.babcockreaders.com).
E-mail: ivan@desnews.com