By Kate Webster Neeley
At Logan’s Ellen Eccles Theatre, Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre’s Man of La Mancha picks up the disillusioned grownup inside you, brushes them off, and restores the magic inside in a sweet and sad way. This 1965 musical by Dale Wasserman, Mitch Leigh, and Joe Danton is an adaptation of Wasserman’s teleplay I, Don Quixote, which draws its inspiration from Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes.
The poet-turned-prisoner Cervantes (Michael Ballam) and his manservant (Stefan Espinosa) are cast thrown into prison and Cervantes uses the power of his poetry and story-telling skills to keep the rough crowd in there from destroying his manuscript. With how delusional he appears to many people, Don Quixote somehow pulls his ‘squire’ Sancho (also portrayed by Stefan Espinosa) into his imagined adventures such as battling a giant that is actually a windmill. As Sancho and his Master Don Quixote travel to a supposed “castle” that is actually in Inn, Don Quixote sees the kitchen servant and part-time prostitute Aldonza (Audrey Babcock) and declares his chivalrous devotion to her, renaming her Dulcinea and dedicating all his future victories to her. Angry and puzzled by this crazy man’s sudden attention to her, she is quite overcome with why he would call her something that she clearly is NOT, according to how she is treated and how she sees herself. Aldonza’s questioning of Don Quixote doesn’t divert his devotion whatsoever and it is within this frame that he declares the reason for his quest, namely “The Impossible Dream.”
What an absolute gift Ballam brings to the stage as he portrays the poet turned prisoner Cervantes. Ballam transforms onstage right before your eyes from himself in the prison into the idealistic and ridiculous, yet lovable Don Quixote, a self-declared knight on a quest to right all the world’s wrongs. Ballam’s execution of the classic “The Impossible Dream” is moving, to say the least. In convincing Aldonza that he sees her as she truly is and in his determination to seek the unreachable star, you will find yourself filled with a restored childlike ability to see the good within each person and true reason to believe in the greater good in the world around you.
Espinosa nails the faithful sidekick part and masterfully switches roles mid scene. He wins you over with his impeccable vocals and bright, charming characterization in his song, “I Like Him.”
Babcock captures Aldonza’s intense hatred for the way she’s been treated and sings passionately and flawlessly so you’re pulled into the story. Her expert acting later melts you with the spark of hope in her that is awakened in her character.
As with the principal characters, there are many roles included within the Ensemble in this production that require shifts in character sometimes while onstage. Lee Gregory portrays the Duke and Dr. Carrasco, Joseph Lattanzi portrays the Governor and the Innkeeper, and Benjamin Bird plays Anselmo/Moor Singer, to name a few. These role switches require skills that are definitely a cut above.
Right out of the gate, your breath will be taken away by the huge, multi-level set (designed by Jack Shouse and adapted by Timothy Case) of the Spanish Prison when the stairs are lowered into the dungeon. Although the set stays pretty stationary, the world class-lighting (Chris Wood) and acting skill of the entire Ensemble convinces you that you are in multiple places.
There are layers within the story of this masterfully-written musical by Dale Wasserman – and it takes some thoughtful pondering to grasp the layers of meaning within each facet of the story, but the music performed by the orchestra led by Karen Keltner underscores the story and takes you seamlessly throughout without you even noticing how very many places you’ve been moving through.
Although a cautionary tale, this one is presented in such a poignantly sweet way, and with your senses being filled to overflowing with the sound design by Bryan Z. Richards of gorgeous music, the beauty of costume by Jess Wallace, and the perfect touches of wig and makeup by Melyssa Swensen. This all-star cast and production team has created something immensely special.
Attendees should be aware that this musical includes depictions of violence, including elements of sexual violence.
Utah Festival Opera’s Man of La Mancha truly has the power to change your heart for the better. You have two more opportunities to experience UFOMT’s journey to La Mancha this coming week in Cache Valley.
Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre Presents Man of La Mancha; Book by Dale Wasserman, music by Mitch Leigh, lyrics by Joe Darion, inspired by Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes.
Ellen Eccles Theatre 43 Main St., Logan, UT 84321
August 4, 2022 7:30 PM, August 6 1:00 PM
Tickets: $22-82
Contact: 800-262-0074 x3
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