Capitol City Opera to 'Dream the Impossible Dream' with MAN OF LA MANCHA

Capitol City Opera Company (CCOC) will endeavor to "dream the impossible dream" with Man of La Mancha, the Tony Award-winning musical based on Cervantes' epic 17th-century novel, Don Quixote on Friday, March 24 at 8 p.m., Saturday, March 25 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, March 26 at 3 p.m. at Conant Performing Arts Center at Oglethorpe University. Tickets are available online at CCITYOPERA.org.

Man of La Mancha was one of the first musicals to transform a piece of historical literature into a production for Broadway audiences. Winner of five Tony Awards, including "Best Musical," Man of La Mancha features such stirring songs as "It's All the Same," "Dulcinea," "I'm Only Thinking of Him," "Little Bird," and "The Impossible Dream."

Set in the context of the Spanish Inquisition, Man of La Mancha is presented as a play-within-a-play. Miguel de Cervantes, poet, playwright, and part-time actor, has been arrested, with his manservant, Sancho Panza, for staging a play that criticizes the Spanish Inquisition. Inside the huge dungeon, the other prisoners gang up on Cervantes, and begin a mock trial, with the intention of stealing or burning his possessions.

Together, they tell the story of the aged Alonso Quijana, who names himself Don Quixote, and begins an obsessive quest to attain an "impossible dream." Along the way, he defends his perfect lady, Dulcinea, and proves that an old man's belief can truly make him a knight.

True to its mission to provide Atlanta-area classically trained singers the opportunity perform on a professional level, Capitol City Opera's production features Jonathan Spuhler as Cervantes/Don Quixote, Daniel Weisman as Sancho, and Rachel Eve Holmes as Aldonza/Dulcinea, and a full cast of Atlanta-based performers. This production is directed by CCOC's Artistic Director Michael Nutter. Music Direction is by Catherine Giel. A five-piece chamber orchestra is conducted by Michael Giel.

IF YOU GO:

Man of La Mancha

Book by Dale Wasserman

Lyrics by Joe Darion

Music by Mitch Leigh

Artistic Director, Michael Nutter

Music Direction by Catherine Giel

Conducted by Michael Giel

Accompanied by chamber orchestra.

Sung in English.

Friday, March 24, 2016 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, March 25, 2016 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, March 26, 2016 at 3 p.m.

At Conant Center for the Performing Arts, Oglethorpe University, 4484 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30319

CAST:

Jonathan Spuhler

Cervantes/Don Quixote

Daniel Weisman

Sancho

Rachel Eve Holmes

Aldonza/Dulcinea

Michaele Postelle

Antonia

Will Green

Barber

Joseph McBrayer

Padre

Jadrian Tarver

Dr. Carrasco/Duke

Stephen McCool

Governor/Innkeeper

Reina Powell

Maria

Christina Sullivan

Housekeeper

Joey Yates

Captain of the Inquisition

Amber Demery

Fermina

Michael Lindsay

Pedro

Sean Savage

Anselmo

Xavier Durden

Jose

Damien Rasheed

Paco

Alan Davitte

Juan

AlBert Clark

Tenorio

Tickets available online at CCITYOPERA.org.

General Admission $40.00

Early Bird 2-for-1 Special $40.00

Military (with Military ID) $30.00

Senior (60 and over) $30.00

Student (with Current ID) $30.00

A special early bird two-for-the-price-of-one sale on general admission tickets only will be available starting Jan. 15 through Tuesday evening Feb. 28.

Capitol City Opera Company was formed in 1983 to provide Atlanta-area classically trained singers the opportunity to learn and perform complete opera roles, and to continue to develop their post-graduate vocal and acting skills on a professional level. Since its inception, the company has flourished as the only opera company in the Southeast that primarily helps local singers and artists establish their careers. It presents high quality, innovative, and exciting productions.

Capitol City Opera Company, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, has created many recurring programs and has toured throughout the United States, and also Italy. Currently, the company performs fully-staged productions, a monthly restaurant series (Dinner and a Diva), a touring Madrigal singers group, a summer pops concert (On the Light Side), and an educational outreach program for children.

Capitol City Opera Company engages an average of 60 singers annually and reaches approximately 40,000 people through its various programs. The Company strives to make opera available to all segments of the population including the underserved and makes a concerted effort to help everyone understand and appreciate opera.