'Man of La Mancha' is a dream in Manassas

From left, Emilie Marshall Peace is Aldonza, Nate Mikami is Don Quixote, George Fulda is Sancho Panza, and (above) Adam Cook is the Innkeeper in Prince William Little Theatre's Man of La Mancha/Photo by Heather Reagan

For those who may need a picker-upper, take my advice and go online right now and get tickets for Prince William Little Theatre's marvelous musical, Man of La Mancha.

It’s a wonderful cure for whatever might ail you, certain to provide healing and a mental uplift since it’s likely a few bars of The Impossible Dream may strum in your head for a few days after you see it, and maybe thrust you into ... whatever.

And why not?

Nate Mikami is the man who commands the show with a passionate, convincing portrayal (let alone singing voice) of Don Quixote, the fictional character created by Miguel de Cervantes in the early 17th century, in a story Wikipedia calls the first modern novel, one of the most translated in the world.

Bob Rosenberg is the Captain of the Inquisition in Prince William Little Theatre's Man of La Mancha/Photo by Heather Reagan

Cervantes writes fictionally of himself, thrown into a dungeon in the late 16th century during the Spanish Inquisition with his manservant (who later becomes Sancho [George Fulda]). 

The show is a play within a play but don't let that confuse you because it doesn't.

To convince fellow prisoners in the dungeon to save his belongings (his manuscript), Cervantes pleads with them to let him tell his tale and they can be part of it! 

 A good deal, no? 

 And away they go on a trail of adventures with the newly names Don Quixote as the leader of the pack, a man who can turn windmills into giants and make castles out of taverns.

From left, Kaitlin Craig, John Totten as the Padre, Caroline Kinney as Antonia sing I'm Only Thinking of Him in Prince William Little Theatre's Man of La Mancha/Photo by Heather Reagan

"I hope to add a measure of grace to the world," Don Quixote says, following his quest to see things that others don't (and maybe, not see what others see!).

The energetic and humorous Sancho who likes Don Quixote a lot (!), hop scotches all over the stage while they "travel" and soon encounter a lovely lady, a sassy harlot (Emilie Marshal Peace) besotted by a bad reputation. Don Quixote makes a quest to rescue her from her poor self-image, shepherding the lass into becoming the remarkable woman of confidence and strength she is.

He changes her name from Aldonza to Dulcinea. She, not so willing for a name change.

Please! Be wary of scoundrels along the travel route, like "moors" who can bewitch adventurers with song and dance and steal their prized possessions (like a manuscript) while subjects are under their spell. (Tammy West in a red skirt with the long dangly silver belt danced circles around the victims in more ways than one. [The audience groaned and tried to warn the blissfully ignorant of impending theft!])

Throughout the show, the actors’ conviviality is evident and their delight transfers to the audience.

The music of the 14 (!) member orchestra under the direction of Chuck Schmidt was a critical piece of the show's enjoyment, impossible to dream this show without them.

Ken and Patti Crowley’s always effective lighting with changing colors and intensity give certain scenes a special glow to complement the story. Their spotlight is especially prominent when the captain of the Inquisition (Bob Rosenberg) in silver armor opens the iron gate at the top of the dungeon to deliver a haunting message in a shimmering combination. (Riley Leonhardt, designer of period costumes.)

It's been years since I've seen this Man, and how I’ve missed him and his message of perseverance and hope that never grows old.

The show is one of the first historically fictionalized musicals to be presented on stage, winning five Tony Awards in 1966, including Best Musical and Best Original Score for Dale Wasserman, Mitch Leigh, and Joe Carion.

Other cast members are: Chris Anderson, John Totten, Caroline Kinney, Kaitlin Craig, Adam Cook, Luis Vasquez, Brad Blythe, David Maeng, Dave Reph, Sally Ann Flores, and Amy Treat.

Suzy Moorstein directs with stage management by Samantha and Elliot Fulda.

Other production creators are Will Taft, sound direction; Vince Worthington, set design; Laura Mills, properties; and Kim Leone, intimacy coordinator and fight choreographer.

What: Man of La Mancha

When: Friday and Saturday, Oct. 16-17 at 8 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively, and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Oct. 17-18

Where: Hylton Performing Art Center, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA 20110

Cost (with fees): Adults, $35; Seniors, $29; Students, Military, Groups, $25

For more information: Ticket office: 703-993-7759, Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. or email: Hylton@gmu.edu, ph. 703-993-7550

Alert: Before the curtain goes up, an announcement is made that the show contains matters of mental health and sexual assault.

Don Quixote and Sancho Pancho. Engraving by Gustave Doré/Wikipedia, 1863

Don Quixote goes mad from his reading of books of chivalry.  Engraving by Gustave Doré/Wikipedia. Originally published 1863; this edition 1906.

patricialesli@gmail.com

George Mason U. presents a zany 'Edwin Drood'

Dylan Toms is the wicked John Jasper in George Mason University's The Mystery of Edwin Drood/Photo by Autum Casey

The acting in George Mason University's musical, The Mystery of Edwin Drood,  is so spectacular, you'll come away mystified that the actors are only college kids. 

Such a talented bunch, and boy, do they have a good time.  Let's party, hearty.   And they did and we watched, and were caught up in the soiree, the gaiety, and the fun.

The voices far exceed what playgoers might expect, and you may search the program to find out that Dylan Toms (John Jasper in Drood) has not come from the New York stage but is a mere freshman from Bedford, Virginia. Under the direction of Ken Elston, Toms is absolutely stellar with exaggerated mannerisms, style, and delivery.

Rachel Harrington is Princess Puffer in George Mason University's The Mystery of Edwin Drood/Photo by Autum Casey

If you are a little mystified  at the end, you won't be the only one. From the arrival in the lobby where actors in their fancies enthusiastically greet theatregoers, to the show's end, you'll be whetted by action, smiles, social media and more, brought to you by Mason's School of Theater and School of Music.

The Mystery of Edwin Drood was Charles Dickens's last novel, one he left unfinished when he died in 1870, but Rupert Holmes's adaptation into a musical comedy (which won five Tonys in 1986) leaves it to the audience to complete. 

The program promises every performance has a different ending because no two audiences are alike, but our ending seemed confusing, and we were left wondering:  What happened? And when did it happen?  Is he dead or alive?  It may be 1892 in Cloisterham  where the Music Hall Royale presents the play within a play, but it's also 2014 at George Mason University with 33,000 mostly millennial students who use social media. 

The large cast leaves an audience member with many choices to make (via smartphone or by hand vote) for perpetrator (and you can vote more than once since the tally is unofficial.  Vote early and vote often).  The dancers  (Ruthie Rado, Stephanie Risch, Savanna Stanton-Ameisen, Puyang Tian) even flash the audience handy cue cards from the stage, in case anyone is confused.

Rosa Bud (Emma Gwin), is the fiancee of Edwin Drood (Alexandra Bunger-Pool), who is the nephew of Rosa's music teacher, the evil John Jasper.

Emma Gwin is Rosa Bud in George Mason University's The Mystery of Edwin Drood/Photo by Autum Casey

The passionless couple agrees to call the whole thing off, however, Teacher Jasper is madly in love with Rosa, also sought by Neville Landless (Lawrence Hailes), who arrives with his sister, Helena (Arami McCloskey) from Ceylon(?).

Jasper visits an opium den (with excellent red, mood lighting by Autum Casey) "managed" by the delightful Rachel Harrington, as Princess Puffer whose voice may carry listeners to the Metropolitan Opera.  (The audience later chooses her and the Reverend Crisparkle (Daniel DeVera) as the the couple Most Likely to Succeed in Love.)

The princess is rather opera-like in carriage and in a dance number with several couples participating, picked up the effervescent and impish mayor, the moderator (acted by Kyle Imperatore) and swung him around the stage  while the male dancers did the same with the female actors. 

From his perch on a landing, the mayor has more slapstick lines than anyone and carries the whole night with his explanations, directions, and pithy remarks:   "Her parents are in the iron and steel business. Her mother irons, and her father steals."  He's a leprechaun in red plaid.

Drood disappears, and we are left guessing. The motives of many are prime. Amidst this complexity are dancing and hullabaloo to send your mind soaring.

To adequately describe in words the beauty and strength of the voices of Gwin and Harrington would do an injustice to the singers. You must hear them to believe them.

Costumes (by Laurel Dunayer) are handsome, colorful, and intricate, especially appealing to the Victorian lovers in the crowd.

The set (by Clayton Austin) suffices with a large screen of location stills (a train station, a parlor, a dinner party, etc.) sandwiched between two identical "brick walls" with steps, a door, and landing

Adding significantly to enjoyment is a 35-piece professional student orchestra in the pit, under the direction of Dennis Layendecker. Occasionally, the sounds of music dwarf the script, but not enough to cause unpleasantness.

Based on the title and the author, you might think The Mystery of Edwin Drood is a drama, but not this one.  It's a comedy tonight.

Other key cast members are Justin Sumblin, Chris Hrozencik; Emily Gruver, and Gabriel Komisar.

Kevin Dunayer is sound director, Ethan Osborne, technical director; Nicole Pradas, choreographer; Colby T. Snyder, properties; Jessica Holloway, dramaturg; David Elias, production stage manager; Libby Stevens and Bruce Scott, graphic design.

The production is part of Daniel Pearl World Music Days, established after the 2002 kidnapping and murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl in Pakistan.   His family and friends formed the Daniel Pearl Foundation to "promote cross-cultural understanding through journalism, music, and innovative communications."

What:  The Mystery of Edwin Drood

When:  8 p.m., October 31, 2014, and 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., November 1, 2014

Where:  Hylton Performing Arts Center, George Mason University, Prince William Campus, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA 20110

Parking:  Free in the lot adjacent to the Hylton Center

Tickets: Adults, $25; Students, faculty, staff, seniors, and groups, $15

Duration:  About 2.5 hours with one 15-minute intermission

For more information:  703-993-7550

For more theatre in Washington, check out the DC Metro Theater Art's website here.


patricialesli@gmail.com