Synopsis:
Man of La Mancha is one of the world’s most popular musicals. Inspired by Miguel de Cervantes’ 17th-century masterwork “Don Quixote” and set during the Spanish Inquisition in the 1600s in Seville, Spain. The original 1965 production won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Miguel Cervantes is in prison awaiting trial during the Spanish Inquisition. He and his fellow prisoners perform a play-within-a-play, telling the story of the elderly Alonso Quijana, who renames himself “Don Quixote” and goes on a quest to right all wrongs in the world. The rousing, Spanish-inflected score includes the classic numbers “The Impossible Dream,” “I, Don Quixote,” “Dulcinea,” “I Really Like Him” and “Little Bird.” Man of La Mancha will be directed by Toni Butler with music direction by Mandi Barrus and accompanied by a live orchestra under the direction of Michelle Willis.
Information:
- Auditions: February 5, 7-10p
- Ages: 18+
- Prepare: 16 bars from a musical in the style of Man of La Mancha. An accompanist will be provided.
- Audition Form: Fill out the Audition Form before your audition (you will also schedule an audition time in the Audition Form).
- What to Bring: Headshot, Resume, and Sheet Music
- Call Backs: February 8, 8a-1p
- Rehearsals: First Rehearsal: February 11. Generally rehearsal are M-TH, 7-10p and Saturdays, 8a-5p. The amount of rehearsals you have will depend on the part you are cast in.
- Performances: March 14, 15, 17, 21, 22, and 24 at 7:30p
Character Descriptions:
Note: This is a play within a play so all characters in Cervantes’s play also double as prisoners in the reality of this play and will remain onstage for the majority of the show.
Names in parentheses indicate specific doubled characters: Reality/Prisoner Name (Don Quixote character).
Miguel de Cervantes (Alonso Quijana/Don Quixote ): Baritone. Cervantes is an actor, playwright, and tax collector. Quijana is an aging gentleman who believes himself to be Don Quixote. Quixote is a would-be knight errant, a romantic, and a madman.
Manservant (Sancho): Tenor. Quixote’s loyal squire and sidekick. Funny, pragmatic. “A fat little bag stuffed with proverbs.”
Prisoner (Aldonza/Dulcinea): Soprano with belt. A servant and part-time prostitute. Jaded, defiant, a survivor. Her rough exterior masks a gentle heart. Quixote imagines her to be his lady, Dulcinea.
Prisoner (Padre): Tenor. A kindly cleric. Thoughtful, sympathetic to Don Quixote, but conflicted.
The Governor (The Innkeeper): Bass. The Innkeeper is kind and sympathetic to DonQuixote until his inn is threatened. Married to Maria. The Governor is the imposing leader of the inmates.
The Duke (Dr. Sanson Carrasco): Baritone. Dr. Carrasco is haughty, controlling, and engaged to Don Quixote’s niece, Antonia. The Duke is a disillusioned prisoner who dislikes Cervantes and his stories.
Prisoner (Maria): Mezzo. No-nonsense, exasperated, and pessimistic. Married to the Innkeeper.
Prisoner (Antonia): Soprano. Sweet but self-centered. Niece to Alonso Quijana and engaged to Dr.Carrasco.
Prisoner (Housekeeper): Mezzo. Strong, religious, holds tightly to her convictions. Works as a housekeeper for Alonso Quijana.
Prisoner (Pedro): Baritone. The leader of the muleteers. Rough and ruthless.
Prisoner (Anselmo): Tenor. A rough and sturdy muleteer. Beautiful voice.
Captain of the Inquisition/Prisoner (Tenorio): As Tenorio, another muleteer. As the Captain, a cruel and imposing leader of the Spanish Inquisition.
Monk/Prisoner (Paco): As Paco, a rough and sturdy muleteer, but perhaps the youngest of the group. As Monk, a member of the Spanish Inquisition.
Monk/Prisoner (Juan ): Tenor. As Juan, a rough and sturdy muleteer. As Monk, a member of the Spanish Inquisition.
Prisoner (Barber): Tenor. As Barber, a traveling barber. As Monk, a member of the Spanish Inquisition.
Prisoners (Don Quixote) Ensemble: Help tell the play and the play within the play