Book by Dale Wasserman
Music by Mitch Leigh
Lyrics by Joe Darion
April 26-May 18, 2008
Producer: Seth Soloway/The Gallery Players
Director: Tom Wojtunik
Musical Director: Chris Tilley
Choreographer: Ryan Kasprzak
Associate Producer: Brian Michael Flanagan
Set Designer: Martin Andrew
Lighting Designer: Tony Galaska
Costume Designer: David Withrow
Sound Designer: Kristyn Smith
Stage Manager: Lara Terrell
Pictured (l to r): Robert Anthony Jones and Jan-Peter Pedross in The Gallery Players production of Man of La Mancha. Photo by Jennifer Maufrais.
Cast List
CERVANTES/QUIXOTE: Jan-Peter Pedross*
ALDONZA/DULCINEA: Jennifer McCabe*
MANSERVANT/SANCHO PANZA: Robert Anthony Jones*
GOVERNOR/INNKEEPER: Justin Herfel*
DUKE/DR. SANSON CARRASCO: James Andrew Walsh*
PEDRO: Jonathan Gregg
ANSELMO: Alex Pearlman
QUITO/GUITAR PLAYER: Chris Kind
TENORIO: Rob Langeder*
JUAN: Tim Shelton*
PACO: Todd Metzker*
PADRE: Mark Kirschenbaum*
ANTONIA: Dawn Derow
FERMINA/MOORISH GIRL: Jenn Zarine Habeck
MARIA: Patricia Lavin
THE BARBER: Andrew Boyd*
CAPTAIN OF THE INQUISITION: Dennis Michael Keefe
PRISONER/INQUISITION GUARD: Luke Tudball
PRISONER/INQUISITION GUARD: Aaron Thomsen
JOSE: Joe DiGennaro
HOUSEKEEPER: Angela Dirksen
*Denotes Member of Actors Equity
Pictured: Jan-Peter Pedross and the cast of The Gallery Players production of Man of La Mancha. Photo by Jennifer Maufrais.
One of the most beloved musicals of Broadway’s Golden Age, Man of La Mancha made its Broadway debut in 1965 starring Richard Kiley. Based on the CBS Dupont Show of the Month original drama, I, Don Quixote, with Lee J. Cobb, the show quickly gained acclaim, containing some of the most beautiful music ever written. The musical tells the tale of author Miguel de Cervantes who, imprisoned and awaiting trial before the Spanish Inquisition, joins with his fellow prisoners to perform a play about Don Quixote de la Mancha, the mad knight who quests for justice and tilts at windmills. “The Impossible Dream”, the show’s world-famous hit song, has been recorded by practically every major vocalist, from Frank Sinatra to Placido Domingo to Elvis Presley.
Pictured: Jennifer McCabe and the cast of The Gallery Players production of Man of La Mancha. Photo by Jennifer Maufrais.
The Gallery Players’ production will explore the improvisational nature of Cervantes’ story. Director Tom Wojtunik notes, “Traditionally, productions of Man of La Mancha tend to set up this convention and then gloss over it. I’ve always been confused by how quickly the prisoners get caught up in playing their ‘roles’ and with the sudden appearance of very elaborate props and costumes. I plan on adhering to Wasserman’s idea that everything in the story should be adapted from materials already in the prison setting, or whatever can fit in Cervantes theatrical trunk.”
Additionally, this current production explores whether idealism has a place in 2008. Wojtunik remarks, “The character of Quixote celebrates and satirizes idealism in mankind, and on the eve of a major presidential election, it may be the best timing for this story to be told again since its premiere in 1965.”
