‘Man of La Mancha’ rides into town

By Terry Morris, Staff Writer 4:24 PM Thursday, October 29, 2009

Grab a bowl for a helmet, alert your sidekick and saddle up, dreamers. “Man of La Mancha” is back in town.

The Human Race Theatre Company will present the classic musical by Mitch Leigh, Joe Darion and Dale Wasserman beginning tonight, Oct. 30, in The Loft Theatre.

The Tony Award-winning show about a Spanish knight errant, his squire and a scullery maid contains the songs “Impossible Dream,” “Man of La Mancha,” “Dulcinea,” “Knight of the Woeful Countenance,” “I Really Like Him” and “Little Bird, Little Bird.”

Set designer David A. Centers and technical director Scott Kimmins have transformed the theater into a prison, where the show begins with a mock trial of Cervantes, whose defense strategy is to put on a show.

Scott Stoney directed a cast of 18 that features Human Race executive director Kevin Moore as Cervantes/Quixote, David C. Maxwell as Sancho Panza and Melissa D’Amico as Aldonza/Dulcinea. Others include Kristoffer Lowe as the Padre, David Tillistrand as the Innkeeper, Jamie Cordes, Renee Franck-Reed, Jake Lockwood and others.

Based on a late 1950s television play inspired by the Cervantes novel, “Don Quixote,” “Man of La Mancha” opened in 1968 on Broadway and ran for more than 2,300 performances. It was revived on Broadway in 1972, 1977, 1992 and 2002.

How to go

What: Human Race Theatre presents “Man of La Mancha”

Where: The Loft, 126 N. Main St.

When: Today, Oct. 30, through  Nov. 15

Cost: $15.50-$36

More info: (937) 228-3630, (888) 228-3630 or www.ticketcenterstage.com

Extras: Meet the cast reception, with food, following opening night show. “Lite Fare at the Loft” food available beginning at 5:30 p.m. before 7 p.m. show Nov. 3, and “While We’re on the Subject” discussion following the 2 p.m. show Nov. 8.

Share this article