Spring is coming early by way of the Lawrence Community Theatre. “Enchanted April” hits the stage next week.

The play, a Matthew Barber adaptation of an Elizabeth Von Arnim novel, begins in London before moving to the Italian countryside. Two British housewives spend a month rediscovering laughter and love. Jayna French, who plays Lotty, one of the housewives, said the play, although set in 1922, was wonderful because it was applicable to life today.

“When there is a war, whether it’s World War II or the war in Iraq, people are in such need of something new,” French said. “At this point in history, we need to be reminded of the good and joyful things in life.”

The play is directed by Topekan Jeanne Chinn, who decided to helm the project after reading the script.

“There is a sense of renewal,” Chinn said. “No matter how troubled we may be there is always a spring, and I found that so refreshing.”

The script wasn’t the only selling point for cast members. Thelma Taylor, a 74-year-old England native, chose to audition after seeing the movie adaptation and learning that Chinn, who she knew from a prior audition, would be directing.

“I’d seen the movie and it was very beautiful and wonderful,” Taylor said. “It had beautiful scenery but also humor and sadness and everything in it, but of course I did it because of Jeanne.”

Taylor said working with Chinn was a marvelous experience because of the encouragement and education she received.

Although Taylor is learning from Chinn, the rest of the cast is taking notes from Taylor. Her knowledge of British terminology has proved helpful, especially because the play was written by an American. Taylor has been a wonderful asset, French said, helping with vowels and different dialects.

“Their accents all sound marvelous,” Taylor said. “But I’ve been able to help out with the odd word here and there that wasn’t exactly British.”

While the cast has been busy perfecting accents, the stage crew has an entirely different task, though no less formidable. Jack Riegle, the set designer, has to transport the audience from dreary London to the flower-filled countryside. The two-act play is divided equally — one act in London, one in Italy — allowing Riegle more freedom.

“The second set can be a lot more elaborate since the break comes at intermission,” Riegle said. “You can add flowers and extra little touches that just say ‘Italy.'”

Riegle said he constructed a castle, a fountain and stone-painted platforms for the second act, but the first-act scenery was actually more difficult, if not more complex.

“In the London scene, there are so little props to work with: a table, a coat rack,” he said. “Everything is plain, non-descriptive. The mood has to be set with lighting.”

From left, Jayna French, who plays Lotty Wilton, Thelma Taylor, who plays Mrs. Graves, and Peg Sampson, who plays Rose Arnott, rehearse a scene from Enchanted

The work ethic of the cast and crew is what keeps drawing Chinn back to the Lawrence Community Theatre. When she walked into the theater last Sunday, the cast already had begun rehearsal. Although she spends most of her time in Topeka, where she is an adjunct professor at Washburn University, she said directing for the Lawrence theater was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up.

“I like giving people the ability to shine and grow. I like giving back,” Chinn said. “And there are always great people. They aren’t doing this because they have to, because it’s for a class, they’re doing it because they love it.”

Features intern Ashley Bechard can be reached at 832-6317.