Pop quiz. Who wrote the book, or words or lyrics to Man of La Mancha? Don't know? Neither did I. The story is charming, without being cloying. The music is grand and soaring. 'The Quest (The Impossible Dream)' it is about a recognizable as any Broadway showtune ever written. However, I would not have been able to tell you that Dale Wasserman wrote the book, with music and lyrics by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion. That seems strange to me.
In La Mancha, political prisoner Miguel de Cervantes relates the story of the noble Knight Don Quixote (Bruce Winant), his faithful companion Sancho (Robert Anthony Jones) and the beautiful maiden Dulcina (Christine Rowan). The telling of the tale serves to pass the time as the prisoners wait to be summoned before the Spanish Inquisition. His own death all but certain, de Cervantes hopes that Don Quixote de La Mancha will survive long after death.
Where others see a crumbling, seedy, inn Don Quixote sees a palace. Its patrons; thugs and theives, but Quixote sees gentleman. Aldonza, the kitchen wench is , in Don Quixote's eyes, the lovely, virginal Dulcinia. Having no use for reality, everything and everyone becomes a part of Don Quixote's quest to rid the world of its ugliness.
Broadway veteran Bruce Winant, who is just coming off of the Broadway revival of La Cage Aux Folles, is brilliant as De Cervantes / Don Quixote. Winant nails 'The Impossible Dream' and has the skill to keep the song far from the treacly mess it can become. It is a wholly enjoyable performance.
Winant sets the bar for the rest of the cast and they meet the challenge. Specifically, the perfomances of Chistine Rowan and Robert Anthony Jones are a great complement to Winant's performance.
Mark Halpin's scenic design is first rate as is the orchestra which is under the direction of Aaron McAllister.
Theatre By The Sea's current production of Man of La Mancha, under the direction of Amiee Turner, is superb summer stock theater and will be a point of historical reference for the younger members of the audience who attend with their parents. Twenty years from now, someone standing in line for tickets at the box office will say "Oh, I remember seeing Man of La Mancha here in 2011 - what a great show".
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Man of La Mancha plays at Theater By The Sea through July 17, 2011. Tickets range from $39 - $54, and can be purchased at the Box Office, which is located at 364 Cards Pond Road, Matunuck RI, by phone at (401) 782-8587 or online at www.theatrebythesea.com. Rush tickets are available on a limited basis one hour prior to curtain.
Photo: Christine Rowan, Bruce Winant and Robert Anthony Jones as Aldonza, Don Quixote and Sancho. Photo by Mark Turek.
