Utah Opera 2016-2017 Season Continues With MAN OF LA MANCHA, 1/21-29

In January 2017, Utah Opera will present one of the most beloved musical masterpieces of all time, Mitch Leigh's "Man of La Mancha," a tale of the knight errant Don Quixote and his obsessive quest for the impossible dream made famous in Broadway production and on film. As one of the first popular "concept musicals," the work has earned enormous success with both audiences and critics, appearing on Broadway and winning five Tony Awards®, including "Best Musical." Five performances will be held at the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre on January 21, 23, 25, 27 at 7:30 p.m. and January 29 at 2 p.m. Tickets, priced from $21-$110, are available for purchase through www.utahopera.org or by calling (801) 355-2787.

Internationally-renowned stage director Paul Curran will bring his vision of the piece to life at the Capitol Theatre alongside veteran conductor Hal France, who will musically lead the cast and musicians of the Utah Symphony. This production will feature bass-baritone David Pittsinger in the title role and nationally-acclaimed tenor Keith Jameson as his partner Sancho Panza, both in their Utah Opera debuts. Mezzo-soprano Audrey Babcock, who last appeared as Jo in Utah Opera's March 2011 production of "Little Women," portrays Aldonza. Utah Opera will present costumes and sets designed by Court Watson, all constructed at the state-of-the-art Utah Opera Production Studios by local Utah artisans.

Says Mr. Curran of Utah Opera's production: "I chose to use the piece's own structure of 'a play within a play' and make it a bunch of modern prisoners brought into an empty theatre whilst they're 'selected' for questioning." He explains that costumes are used sparsely in the production as characters move between the world of reality and fiction, echoing "the very basis of theatre." "The prisoners never put on a full costume - only effects of a character and that is how they convince us to move into the world of our imagination and believe their made up story as if it were actually happening."

"Few literary figures have inspired as many and had as much resonance in human history as Cervantes' Don Quixote. Throughout classical and popular art of all media be can be found everything from subtle reference to full blown imitation," said Utah Opera Artistic Director Christopher McBeth. "The themes of the original text are, simply put, timeless and found within every culture. This notion that one can be inspired by and follow one's ideals in the face of challenge and even cruelty is an idea unique in its ubiquity."

It's estimated that "Man of La Mancha" is produced 300 to 400 times a year worldwide, putting the number of productions somewhere between 12,000 and 18,000 since the show premiered on Broadway in 1965. It was a smash success for 2,328 performances on Broadway, and won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical. It has been revived four times on Broadway, becoming one of the most enduring works of musical theatre. Unusually for the time, "Man of La Mancha" was scored for an orchestra with no violins or other traditional orchestral stringed instruments apart from a double bass, instead emphasizing brass, woodwinds, percussion and utilizing flamenco guitars as the only stringed instruments.

David Pittsinger replaces the previously-named lead, Robert Orth, who was forced to withdraw due to illness. "The role of Don Quixote requires an artist of significant world-class stature as both musician and actor. Finding such a talent is extremely difficult at best," said Mr. McBeth. "We are thrilled that David Pittsinger fits this bill and we are honored to have an artist of his level who has had critical success with the role recently join this Utah Opera presentation."

The performance will last approximately two hours and 30 minutes with one intermission.

RELATED EVENTS

Utah Symphony | Utah Opera's education and community outreach department facilitates an online "learn before you go" series prior to each opera. Online learning materials about "Man of La Mancha" have been prepared by Ross Hagen, a Lecturer in Musicology at Utah Valley University. Check them out at www.utahopera.org/onlinelearning.

Utah Opera and media partner "Salt Lake Magazine" present Libretti & Libations, a promotion with eight of Salt Lake City's and Park City's top mixologists offering craft cocktails inspired by the storyline and characters of Leigh's "Man of La Mancha." Participants are encouraged to post photos of the craft cocktails on Instagram and Twitter using the hashtag #UtahOperaSips to enter a contest to win a pair of tickets to Leigh's "Man of La Mancha." For more details about Libretti & Libations and a complete list of participating restaurants, visit www.utahopera.org/libations.

On January 19, students in grades 7 through 12 can attend Utah Opera's final dress rehearsal of "Carmen" at the Capitol Theatre through "Opera-tunities Night" for only $5. The price is the same for teachers/chaperones accompanying students. Visit www.usuoeducation.org/index.php/for-schools/opera-tunities for more information.

Opening night on January 21 will feature a red carpet event where patrons can pose for a free photo. Photos will be posted on the Utah Opera Facebook page, allowing participants the chance to tag themselves during their night out on the town. Visit www.facebook.com/utahopera for more information. The starting time of the red carpet event is 6:30 PM.

Utah Opera Principal Coach Carol Anderson will offer an Opera Prelude Lecture, free of charge for ticket holders, in the Capitol Room of the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre (50 West 200 South) one hour before curtain for each performance.

Utah Opera Artistic Director Christopher McBeth will hold a Q&A session, free of charge for ticket holders, immediately following each performance in the Capitol Room of the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre (50 West 200 South).