| Man of LaMancha | | Print | |
| Written by M. J. Garland | |
| Wednesday, 09 May 2007 | |
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This production, like most LaMancha's, is a unit set with minor changes to suggest other locations throughout the musical. We find ourselves in a dungeon awaiting trial for the Inquisition. Okay, so the setting doesn’t sound like the upbeat location of a Cole Porter piece but it is beautifully designed by Robert Cox, Elton and Peggy Lane. In this dungeon we find the prisoners (who all play multiple roles) awaiting trial, and as the drawbridge descends we meet Miguel de Cervantes who has been brought in to stand trial. However, before he goes before the Inquisition he must first stand trial before his fellow prisoners in the dungeon. To prove his innocence and save one of his precious belongings (his manuscript), he takes us into the world of Alonso Quijana - a man who is “boney, hollow-faced, who’s eyes burn with the fire of inner-vision” - the world of DON QUIXOTE DE LAMANCHA.
I have to say when I first saw who was playing Don Quixote I thought “way too young”. Well, I love to be proven wrong and I was. Mr. Stacy gives a performance that amazed me. Though I will say his voice wasn’t as strong as I would of like in “The Impossible Dream” he was a wonderful Don Quixote. His change from the prisoner to the old and mentally failing was without question
I wish I could be so nice about the leading female - Arna Majcher who played Aldonza/Dulcinea. This role is vocally demanding, probably one of the most vocally demanding roles you will find in musical theatre. Aldonza requires in reality someone who is comfortable in a 4 to 4 1/2 octave range. Unfortunately the strength was missing from the higher register for Mrs. Majcher. Her performance was okay as Aldonza, but even there the passion of the “kitchen wench” who “was spawned in a ditch” as she says was lacking.
Other cast members who come to mind are Thomas Mierle who plays Anselmo and Barber is quite good. It was refreshing to see someone in the cast with the ability for some of the fun physical comedy that LaMancha holds in the both the Barber and the fight sequence. Another character who was fun to watch and listen to was Padre played by Stephen Mason. Mr. Mason’s voice was very enjoyable and appeared very at ease when he was singing.
Last but not least is my favorite character Sancho Panza played by Peter Natale. This role I have always found amusing and he has the funniest songs written for him. Mr. Natale does well with Sancho. I can’t really comment on his singing ability since this is one of those roles where much of that hides behind the character voice.
This is the first production I have ever seen at SLT and it will not be my last. What a wonderful space and a wonderful group of people amongst the volunteers I met that evening. Please take the time to go see it, I know it was worth my 45 minute drive to Smithfield and if this is the quality happening there then I’ll be making the trek again.
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Man of LaMancha has always rated amongst my favorite musicals and overall 
one of the best Quixote’s I’ve seen in any community theatre around the country. 