Photos: Terrence Mann et al. in Connecticut Rep's MAN OF LA MANCHA

Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) launches its 2012 Nutmeg Summer Series with Man of La Mancha, running now through June 16 in the intimate Harriett S. Jorgensen Theatre (lower Jorgensen Auditorium) on the UConn campus, Storrs. Broadway legend and last season's Henry Higgins, Terrence Mann returns to play the unforgettable Don Quixote. See photos of Mann and the rest of the cast, on stage in MAN OF LA MANCHA, below!

Mr. Mann originated the roles of Rum Tum Tugger in Cats, Javert in Les Miserables, and the Beast in Disney's Beauty and the Beast on Broadway. Mr. Mann leads a spectacular cast, which also includes last summer's audience favorite Richard Ruiz, who played Alfred Doolittle in My Fair Lady and Alix Paige who played Eliza, also in My Fair Lady. James Barry, recently of Broadway's Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson returns to his hometown and alma mater to play the Padre.

MAN OF LA MANCHA, written by Dale Wasserman with music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion, tells the story of Miguel de Cervantes who, at the height of the Spanish Inquisition, is imprisoned and uses the story of the knight-errant Don Quixote to defend himself. The story features unforgettable characters such as Sancho Panza, played by UConn alum, Richard Ruiz and Aldonza played by last season's dazzling Eliza, Alix Paige. With its beautiful Latin-tinged score, the original production of Man of La Mancha ran for six years on Broadway, won the Tony for Best Musical and gave us the indelible anthem of hope, "The Impossible Dream."

The production is directed by CRT Artistic Director Vincent J. Cardinal.

For tickets and more information, visit www.crt.uconn.edu or find the theatre on Facebook.

Photo credit: Gerry Goodstein