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Man of La Mancha
Book by Dale Wasserman
Music by Mitch Leigh
Lyrics by Joe Darion
Directed by Charles Newell
Musical Direction by Doug Peck
At Court Theatre
5525 S. Ellis Ave
Chicago, IL
Call 773-753-4472, tickets $35 - $50
Wednesdays & Thursdays at 7:30 PM
Fridays at 8 PM
Saturdays at 3 & 8 PM
Sundays at 2:30 & 7:30 PM
Running time is 1 hour, 50 minutes with no intermission
Through November 6, 2005
“To dream the impossible dream. . .to reach the unreachable stars. . .to fight for what's right without question or pause. That is my quest”
Don Quixote
The impossible dream lives once more at Court Theatre
I have not seen Man of La Mancha since Candlelight Dinner Playhouse did it in the 1970’s with Lee Pelty in the lead. Man of La Mancha ran 2328 performances on Broadway starting in 1965 won 5 Tony’s including best musical and is now considered a classic. Several remounts have proved the staying power of this material. Under Charles Newell’s terrific direction, Court Theatre has mounted a powerful production that affected me to my soul. Not since my first viewing of Les Miserable has a show reached me like Newell’s magnificent Man of La Mancha. This show is overwhelmingly emotional as you become intimately involved in the struggles of Don Quixote and his cellmates.
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The play is set during the Spanish Inquisition in the 16th Century and tells the story of Cervantes, the first modern novelist, as he is imprisoned by the Inquisition for trying to levy taxes on a church. Forced to ‘plead’ his case with his cellmates, Man of La Mancha turns into a play-within-a-play where Cervantes tells Quixote’s story as his defense. The result is a journey from the realm of reality into fantasy. Is he mad or just the purest idealist? We follow Quixote’s noble quest as the knight sets out to right all wrongs and win the heart of a good woman as he duels windmills among other odysseys. This classic comic-tragedy musical is a moving illustration of themes of honor, nobility of spirit, chivalry, grace, courage and idealism. Quixote’s inspiring humanity over powers us.
Court Theatre’s production exudes these themes on several levels. John Culbert’s stunning set---a floor to ceiling circular prison with long ladders leading to small windows and trapdoor entrance. The set is completed with a semicircular pit with grated trap door filled with water. Add the eerie lighting by Mark MCullough and sound by Josh Horvath and Ray Nardelli and we are catapulted into a 16th Century Spanish prison.
This production takes meticulous care of the details especially the movements of the outstanding cast Newell has assembled. From Jeffrey Baumgartner as the prisoner’s governor to Matthew Krause as the duke to Susie McMonagle as mother Bane to Rod Thomas as the dangerous sex fiend to Harriet Nzinga Plumpp as Graciosa to George Keating’s madman to Steven Wallen crazy monk to Ben Dicke’s gypsy to Hollis Resnik’s nasty Aldonza, these performers are always on stage reacting to all events and actions. They are a marvel to watch as the climb ladders, snipe at one another, and retreat to their little coves and endlessly chase each other for food, sex and torment. Clothed in rags and barefoot much of their movement is animal-like.
The dignified older gentleman, Miguel de Cervantes, played with confidence in rich velvet baritone by the charismatic Herbert Perry slowly yet unflinchingly wins the souls of his cellmates as he deliciously weaves the story of Don Quixote. From Perry’s stirring opening number “I, Don Quixote” we know we’re on an astonishing journey. When Perry lands the memorable anthem “The Quest (The Impossible Dream),” there was hardly a dry eye in the house. This was a stunning theatrical moment!
Neil Friedman, as the Manservant who enacts Sancho Panza, had the right elements of humor, loyalty and trust to be effective. Friedman lands his song deftly displaying a strong voice and terrific comedic style. Friedman was excellent.
Doug Peck’s five piece orchestra sounded wonderful with the moving melodies of Mitch Leigh’s score. Hollis Resnik was overwhelming as the nasty Esclante. Resnik knocked out “What Does He Want from Me?” and “Aldonza” with pure emotion. Resnik is at the top of her craft here.
The production owes much to the detailed work of the ensemble whose singing was superb. Perry, Resnik and Friedman sure had much help. This is a thrilling show, one that will engulf you from the start as it sweeps you into sharing all your impossible dreams. Court Theatre’s Man of La Mancha is one of the finest Chicago productions in years. Trust me on this one ---see this show.
Not To Be Missed
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Chicago Stage Talk Radio Show
This show eligible for a C.S.T. Equity Theatre Award
October 8, 2005
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