upcoming

Man of La Mancha Matinee

What:

This great classic of American musical theatre is a favorite for all the right reasons: heart-warming yet brutal, memorable characters and music wonderfully brought to life in a story that has humor, poignancy, and—best of all—genuine touching emotion. For those who long for a musical theatre experience filled with laughter, tears, character, and song, this musical ‘adds a measure of grace to the world’ (Cervantes).

The knight who tilted at windmills, the character so – dare we say it? – Quixotic that his name has been transcribed into many languages – Don Quixote, the seventeenth century masterpiece by Miguel Cervantes, has long remained a well-loved literary classic. It is no surprise, then, that it has been the inspiration of many works of art, including ballets, operas, plays, paintings, and songs. The lure of Cervantes’ novel was no less strong for playwright Dale Wasserman, who adapted the book into the teleplay I, Don Quixote, in 1959. Though highly acclaimed, it was not optioned for Broadway, and Wasserman decided to convert the teleplay into a musical, Man of La Mancha, in 1965. It became an immediate success with a run of 2,328 performances, winning five Tony awards, including Best Musical. With its haunting Spanish rhythms, this show never fails to enchant audiences with its lyrical and musical mastery.

Executive Producing Director Ginger Gene chose Ferndale Repertory Theatre’s Man of La Mancha production specifically for professional musical theatre veteran Brad Curtis, playing the dual roles of Spanish poet/playwright Cervantes (imprisoned unjustly on heresy charges) and the crazy yet noble Don Quixote de La Mancha. Gene says, “The two men are kindred spirits, daring to believe in goodness and purity in a world filled with degradation and injustice. Boasting a powerful singing voice, Brad lends weight to Quixote’s soaring ballads and poetic speeches; he will play this challenging role for every ounce of comic irony and pathos. He is a large talent and we are so privileged to have him in our theatre company.” Local musical favorite John Ludington as Sancho Panza, Andrea Zvaleko as Aldonza/Dulcinea and Ferndale resident Steve Sterback as the Governor/Innkeeper lead an impressive cast. We have what I call ‘The Dream Team’ of a production staff.” Professional scene designer Daniel C. Nyiri, just returning to Humboldt after working on a documentary in Australia; light designer Michael Foster, resident light designer of D’ell Arte; expert historian pattern maker and costume designer Lori Knowles, musical/vocal director Dianne Zuleger; and HSU MFA theatre candidate Liz Uhazy designing props all lend their talents to this ambitious production.

The musical itself is a clever take on the novel. Author Miguel Cervantes is incorporated into the story as the narrator, with Cervantes being thrown into prison to await the Spanish Inquisition. While in captivity, he begins to tell the story of Don Quixote, transforming into the character, the mad knight who swears to bring chivalry back to a world that had not seen knights in several centuries. His manservant becomes the faithful squire Sancho Panza, and their fellow prisoners also become various players in the story. Drawing from Cervantes’ allegoric adventures of the self-appointed knight errant Quixote, who tilted at windmills both literally and metaphorically, this cerebral musical drama is driven by a profound play-within-a-play motif, which ingeniously serves Cervantes’ original theme of settling for life as it is vs. striving for all it can become. With all the actors playing at least two roles (sometimes three), the themes of truth, deception, and inner character are emphasized, and the line between “fact” and “reality” is blurred. The result is a cast of characters with many layers, and the parallel stories work together as one.

Man of La Mancha is just as engaging as it was 44 years ago. The music, of course, is a big part of what makes it so endearing. With music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion (both of whom won the Tony for Best Composer and Lyricist), the musical has produced songs such as “The Impossible Dream,” and “ Man of La Mancha” Though not as well-known, the other Spanish-flavored songs, alternately sweet and catchy, are no less lovely. 

The Thursday April 1 performance will be an actor’s benefit where all proceeds go to the cast and crew as well as the Hart Gallery opening & public reception at 7:00pm, featuring the wood cravings of Tryggvi Thorleif Larum with an opportunity to meet the cast and crew following the performance with a champagne reception. Friday April 2nd is a benefit for the Fortuna Sunrise Rotary with a 7:00pm reception at 471 Main St. above the Gazebo on Main St. in Ferndale.

For reservations call 1.800.838.3006 or go online at www.ferndale-rep.org. The show will run Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2 pm., Tickets are $17 general admission, $14 students, & seniors (65+).

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