Paul Garman, Executive Director/Producer, and Steven Glaudini, Artistic Director, are proud to announce the cast of MAN OF LA MANCHA, previewing February 10 and running for fourteen performances through February 26, 2012.
As previously announced, DAVIS GAINES will play the role of Don Quixote (Cervantes). Mr. Gaines performed the title role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA more than 2,000 times for more than five million people during his run on Broadway, in Los Angeles and in San Francisco, where he received the Bay Area Critics’ Award for Best Actor. Mr. Gaines returns to MTW after his role as Richard Henry Lee in MTW’s 2010 production of 1776. LESLI MARGHERITA will play Aldonza. Margherita is the winner of London’s Olivier Award for her performance in the West End production of ZORRO. In addition to the Oliver, Ms. Margherita just won an Ovation Award for her turn as Lilli Vanessi/Kate in KISS ME, KATE at Reprise! She was last seen on the Musical Theatre West stage in ANYTHING GOES.
Lesli Margherita
The Musical Theatre West cast of MAN OF LA MANCHA features: JUSTIN ROBERTSON (MTW:THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, JOSEPH…,THE MUSIC MAN and THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL) as Manservant/Sancho Panza; RICHARD GOULD (MTW: SWEENEY TODD, 1776;Regional: A CHRISTMAS CAROL, MY FAIR LADY) as The Governor/Innkeeper; DAMON KIRSCHE (MTW: ANNIE, 1776; Regional: A PASSING WIND, OKLAHOMA, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC) as The Duke/Dr. Carrasco; JASON WEBB (MTW: 1776; Regional: SHE LOVES ME, SEUSSICAL, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR) as The Padre; STEVEN GLAUDINI (MTW: 1776; Regional: 1776 (Ovation Award), HOW TO SUCCEDD IN BUSINESS WITHOUT EVEN TRYING, DAMN YANKEES. Rounding out the stellar cast: KARENSSA LEGEAR as Antonia; DYNELL LEIGH as The Housekeeper; SAM ZELLER as Pedro, Head Muleteer; JEBBEL ARCE as Fermina and VENNY CARRANZA, JAY DONNELL, MICHAEL GUARNERA, ISAAC JAMES, PATRICK ROBERT KELLY, AJ MENDOZA and RAMON OWENS as the Muleteers.
MAN OF LA MANCHA will be under the helm of Ovation Award-winning director Nick DeGruccio (MTW’s 1776, RENT and THE ANDREWS BROTHERS). Musical Director is Matthew Smedal (MTW’s 1776; Regional: SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, HELLO AGAIN) and choreographer is Carlos Mendoza (Regional: I LOVE A PIANO, THE PAJAMA GAME, MISS SAIGON, CATS). MAN OF LA MANCHA will run February 10-26, 2012 at the beautiful Carpenter Performing Arts Center.
MAN OF LA MANCHA, one of the all-time great musicals by Mitch Leigh, Joe Darion and Dale Wasserman, opened on Broadway in 1965. This Tony Award Winner for Best Musical features one of Broadway’s great standards, “The Impossible Dream,” and takes place during the height of the Spanish Inquisition. While awaiting a hearing with the Inquisition, Miguel de Cervantes presents a play as his defense in a mock trial for the prisoners. In it, he plays Alonso Quijana, a man who has set his own reality aside and becomes Don Quixote De La Mancha. Assisted by Sancho Panza, Quixote attempts to avoid his mortal enemy, the Enchanter, and woo the serving wench and prostitute, Aldonza, who he takes to be the Lady Dulcinea.
MAN OF LA MANCHA runs at Musical Theatre West in Long Beach, CA – February 10-26, 2012.
The performance schedule for MAN OF LA MANCHA is Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. (no 2p.m. on February 11), Sundays at 2 p.m., with a 7 p.m. performance added on February 19th. Tickets start at $20. There is a $3 service charge per ticket. Prices are subject to change without notice. Group rates are available for 15 or more. Musical Theatre West performs at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center located at 6200 E. Atherton Street, Long Beach, CA 90815.
Tickets for MAN OF LA MANCHA are on sale now and may be purchased online at www.musical.org or by phone at 562-856-1999 x4. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Musical Theatre West Box Office located at 4350 E. 7th Street, Long Beach, CA 90804 from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
MAN OF LA MANCHA is the third show of Musical Theatre West’s 2011-2012 Season and is made possible through the generous contributions of the Associate Producers in Honor of Don Garman. Youth performances underwritten by Don and Judy McNulty Black, Friends of Ken Reiner, Arts Council for Long Beach.
Musical Theatre West’s 2011-2012 Season Sponsors are the Ackerman Family/Evalyn M. Bauer Foundation and Ken and Dottie Reiner.
For more information on Musical Theatre West’s production of MAN OF LA MANCHA, please visit www.musical.org.
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ABOUT MUSICAL THEATRE WEST
Currently in its 59th Season, Musical Theatre West is Southern California’s premier musical theatre company. Under the leadership of Executive Director/Producer Paul Garman and Artistic Director/Producer Steven Glaudini, the company has garnered numerous awards and accolades for its work presenting the entire spectrum of musical theatre (including 26 LA Stage Alliance Ovation Award nominations over the past three seasons and the LADCC Margaret Harford Award for Sustained Excellence in the Theatre).
Musical Theatre West performances are at the beautiful 1,070-seat Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center on the campus of California State University, Long Beach. Tickets are available and can be purchased through the MTW Box Office at (562) 856-1999 x4 or online at www.musical.org.
LISTINGS INFORMATION FOR “MAN OF LA MANCHA”
Dates: February 10 through February 26, 2012
Preview: Friday, February 10th at 8 p.m.
Opening Night: Saturday, February 11th at 8 p.m.
Theatre: Musical Theatre West at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center
6200 E. Atherton Street, Long Beach, CA 90815
Performance Schedule: Friday, February 10 at 8 p.m. (Preview)
Saturday, February 11 at 8 p.m. (Opening Night)
Sunday, February 12 at 2 p.m.
Thursday, February 16 at 8 p.m.
Friday, February 17 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, February 18 at 2 p.m.
Saturday, February 18 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, February 19 at 2 p.m.
Sunday, February 19 at 7 p.m.
Thursday, February 23 at 8 p.m.
Friday, February 24 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, February 25 at 2 p.m.
Saturday, February 25 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, February 26 at 2 p.m.
Price Start at: $20
All tickets are subject to a $3 service charge.
Tickets: Online: www.musical.org
Phone: 562-856-1999 x4
In Person: Musical Theatre West Box Office
4350 E. 7th Street, Long Beach, CA 90804 (Noon to 6 p.m. Tues.-Sat.)
DESCRIPTION: MAN OF LA MANCHA, one of the all-time great musicals by Mitch Leigh, Joe Darion and Dale Wasserman, opened on Broadway in 1965. This Tony Award Winner for Best Musical features one of Broadway’s great standards, “The Impossible Dream,” and takes place during the height of the Spanish Inquisition. While awaiting a hearing with the Inquisition, Miguel de Cervantes presents a play as his defense in a mock trial for the prisoners. In it, he plays Alonso Quijana, a man who has set his own reality aside and becomes Don Quixote De La Mancha. Assisted by Sancho Panza, Quixote attempts to avoid his mortal enemy, the Enchanter, and woo the serving wench and prostitute, Aldonza, who he takes to be the Lady Dulcinea.
