Lakewood Theatre Company to Present MAN OF LA MANCHA

"The Impossible Dream," one of the great songs of the American musical theatre, will lift the hearts of audiences with its message of courage and the search for truth as Lakewood Theatre Company concludes its 63rd season on Friday April 29, 2016 with the award-winning musical, Man of La Mancha. The production sponsors for Man of La Mancha are Bill & Barbara Warner & Dr. Fritz Camp.

The captivating story of an inspired knight following his quest is directed by Greg Tamblyn and musical direction is byAlan D. Lytle. The production features prominent Portland area musical theatre actors Leif Norby, in the dual role of Cervantes and Don Quixote, Joey Coté, as Sancho Panza his faithful manservant, and Pam Mahon, as Aldonza the alluring tavern maid.

Performances continue through June 12, 2016 on the Headlee Mainstage at Lakewood Center for the Arts, 368 S. State Street in Lake Oswego, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at 7:30 PM, two Wednesday performances at 7:30 PM (May 11 and May 25), Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM (May 8, 22, 29, and June 5, 12) and Sunday evenings at 7:00 PM (May 1, 8, 15). Ticket prices are $37/adults and $35/seniors. Discounts are available for students and groups. For additional information and tickets, call the Lakewood Box Office at (503) 635-3901 or order online at http://www.lakewood-center.org

Man of La Mancha, the 1965 award-winning musical written by Dale Wasserman, is based on the life and work of Don Miguel de Cervantes y Saavedra. Music is by Mitch Leigh and lyrics are by Joe Darion. Its song hits, "The Impossible Dream," "Dulcinea," "Little Bird" and "The Quest" have become musical classics. The original production ran more than five years on Broadway and received five Tony Awards including "Best Musical of the Year," as well as "Best Musical" by the New York Drama Critics' Circle, The Outer Circle, The Variety Poll and Saturday Review.

The Story: Man of La Mancha, takes place in the late 16th Century in a prison deep beneath the streets of Seville. Into a group of rogues awaiting sentencing by the Spanish Inquisition for various crimes and misdemeanors, is thrown an itinerant poet, failed playwright, wounded soldier and unfortunate tax collector, Miguel de Cervantes (Leif Norby), and his trusted servant, Sancho Panza (Joey Coté). To avoid immediate sentencing before a kangaroo court by his fellow prisoners -- and to save his latest manuscript from being thrown into a fire -- Cervantes proposes he present his defense in the form of a charade to illustrate the adventures of a most famous and legendary hero.

While Sancho sets the stage using items from a prop trunk and items strewn about the prison, Cervantes transforms himself before our eyes into a country squire known as Alonso Quijana -- a man so enamored of ancient stories of chivalry and derring-do that he sheds his cloak of sanity and dons a suit of armor to become "a dauntless knight known as Don Quixote de La Mancha!" He coaxes his fellow prisoners into playing the roles of an innkeeper (Stacey Murdock) and his wife (Susan Overcast), a kindly country priest, the mock trial's prosector (Ron Harman), a cynic called, "The Duke" (Corey Brunish) and a slatternly kitchen wench named Aldonza (Pam Mahon), whom Quixote imagines to be the "fair virgin" Dulcinea - symbol of goodness and purity.

Featured players include Dan Bahr as the Barber, Malia Tippets as Antonia, Joe Theissen as Pedro, and Sam Mowry as the voice of the Captain. Other members of the ensemble include Ryan Monaghan, Bruce Lawson, William Shindler, Jeremy Southard, Jeremy Garkinkel and Larry James Taylor.

Please note: Man of La Mancha plays without intermission. Some subject matter may not be suitable for some pre-teen audiences.

Stage Direction for LTC's production of Man of La Mancha is by Greg Tamblyn and musical direction is by Alan D. Lytle.The stage design is by Glenn Gauer, lighting design is by Kurt Herman, properties are by Heather Taylor and Jennifer Summering, costume design is by Margaret Louise Chapman, the stage manager is Kendra Comerford and the assistant stage manager is Heather Taylor. Sound design is by Marcus Storey and the producers are Kay Vega and Steve Knox.

To post a comment, you must register and login.