Man
of La Mancha
A Musical Play by Dale Wasserman, Lyrics
by Joe Darion, Music by Mitch Leigh
The First Novel, A Major Broadway Musical, Now A Vanderhoof Hit!
Man
of La Mancha is based on the famous story of Don Quixote, a man "soft
in the head" who thinks he is a knight out to gain glory, punish
evil-doers, restore justice, and bring chivalry back to society. While
on this quest he jousts with windmills, fights a gang of toughs, and somehow
restores a sense of humanity and power to a prostitute.
The musical is based on the famous book by Miguel de Cervantes, The Ingenious Knight Don Quixote of La Mancha (more commonly simply called Don Quixote). Some call it the first novel ever written, the first volume coming out in 1605 and the second in 1615. The story quickly became popular throughout Europe and was immediately translated into many languages.
Humour and moving drama weave through this musical. Clever writing and choreographed slapstick have young and old laughing. The human depths of despair and hope, loyalty and cruelty, vision and delusion, move audiences.
The music of Man of La Mancha is some of the best in musical theatre. Best known for "The Impossible Dream", the songs are funny and beautiful, dramatic and fun.
[From the Director's program notes]
Visionary or madman, prophet or fool, truth-teller or deceived dreamer -- just who is Don Quixote?
Is the world a place where violence is rampant, women abused, war threatened, injustice prevalent because that is simply the way it is… or is it because we lack the vision - the dream - to see it any other way?
What is worth living and working for - life as it appears on the news, or life as it should be?
It has long amazed me how a Broadway musical, known mainly for its wonderful music and humorous characters, can raise such important questions. Some plays are simply fun and entertaining; some plays are deeply thought-provoking, but boring. Man of a La Mancha entertains, enchants, humours and stimulates the brain.
And not only the brain, but the heart as well. For after experiencing Man of La Mancha, the audience can not simply go home and forget but asks, "what is my dream?" "How do I see the world?" "Does my vision of the world add some measure of grace to life?"
Production Dates
Nechako Valley Secondary School,
Vanderhoof, B.C. Canada
Producer: Lisa Striegler
Director: Doug Goodwin
| Erin Arding.... | Fermina/Moorish Dancer |  |
| Jay Bangs.... | Muleteer/Horse | |
| Fletcher Chisholm.... | Muleteer/Moor | |
| Gordon Crum.... | Duke/ Dr. Carrasco | |
| Dan East.... | Padre | |
| Doug Goodwin.... | Pedro/Moor | |
| Rusty Gridley.... | Sancho | |
| Karen Kerr.... | Aldonza/Dulcinea | |
| Scott Klassen.... | Cervantes/Don Quixote | |
| Mike Leiding.... | Muleteer/Captain | |
| Allan Pagdin.... | Muleteer | |
| Lisa Striegler.... | Antonia/Mule | |
| Andy Sundahl.... | Governor/Innkeeper | |
| Randy Wallace.... | Barber | |
| Shelly Work.... | Housekeeper/Maria |
