http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2011/11/16/entertainment/doc4ec479d16b9f4355153586.txt#openwidgets

Theater review: ‘Man of La Mancha’ is safe, but moving

Published: Wednesday, November 16, 2011

By BOB GOEPFERT
entertainment518@journalregister.com

Click to enlarge
ALBANY — The production of “Man of La Mancha” at Capital Repertory Theatre through Dec. 17 proves there is no substitute for good material. This is a production that should entertain almost everyone.

“Man of La Mancha” is a musical adaptation of Miguel Cervantes’ novel “Don Quixote.” It’s the tale of a wealthy man who has had to become a little crazy in order to find a purpose in life. He sees nothing but good in everyone and tries to live an idealistic life. His simple vision of the world inspires all who meet him, and he changes lives.

The musical is set in a dungeon where Cervantes must stand trial by the inmates before he is tried by the Inquisition. The inmates are to decide whether the manuscript for Cervantes’ novel is to be burned, and the Inquisition is to decide if Cervantes is to burn. He defends himself to the prisoners by offering his novel as a play within a play, with everyone assuming roles in the story.

If this sounds cloying or sentimental, it is. But one of the remarkable things about “Man of La Mancha” is that its sentimentality is its strength. Audiences will willingly buy into Quixote’s view of the work and root for a deranged man who is a hopeless romantic. And a great score heightens emotions.

Because of the work of the charismatic Kevin McGuire as Quixote, you are moved by the material. McGuire is loveable in his delusional moments and sadly tender as the sane but fragile Alonso Quijana. Quixote is a man who is crazy because of his dreams, while his alter ego lives a life that is empty because it lacks a dream.

As good as McGuire is, he often seems restrained in his portrayal. Part of the reason for that is director Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill plays it very safe with the entire production. If there is a specific problem with the show, it is that it shirks the edgy undercurrents of the work. By always emphasizing the enjoyable, the play avoids all hint of danger.

Though the approach results in an entertaining piece of theater, it lessens the experience. The work has survived as a novel and a musical because it addresses important themes. We remember and laugh at Quixote mistaking a windmill for a dragon, but forget that real dragons exist as religious zealots, scientists who will hurt others in the name of rational behavior and humans who give into carnal behavior.

Therefore, it is hurtful that the rape scene is played almost like a dance from “West Side Story,” protecting us from the savage reality that crushes Aldonza’s dream. When Quijana is forced to accept reality by those who are “Only Thinking of Him” in the name of science, the moment is sad but also lacks the cruelty of the act itself. Having members of the Inquisition dressed like modern fascists instead of religious fanatics defuses the point that religious zealots crush what makes man distinctive — dreams and imagination.

The most harmful choice is using body microphones. The unnecessary amplification sounds artificial, and I suspect inhibits McGuire’s performance, causing him to be cautious about his singing and timid in his portrayal. McGuire never loses the heart of his character but seldom does he seem spontaneous.

But he does break your heart with “The Impossible Dream,” “Dulcinea” and during his final walk up the stairway. And if those moments work, so does the production.

“Man of La Mancha” is playing at Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany. Performances are Tuesdays through Sundays through Dec. 17. For tickets and information, call 445-7469 or go to www.capitalrep.org.

http://www.didyouweekend.com/man-of-la-mancha-reviewed/

Man of La Mancha-Reviewed

Posted by rich on November 17, 2011 By State, Capital District, Cool Things to Do, Event List, Events, New York, Theatre

Man of La Mancha
The Capital Repertory Theatre
http://capitalrep.org/
Nov. 11-Dec 17

The holidays are upon us. Treat yourself to an early present: Man of La Mancha. If you see one show this year, it must be this one.

“To dream … the impossible dream …
To fight … the unbeatable foe …
To bear … with unbearable sorrow …
To run … where the brave dare not go ..

Imagine it is the 16th century, and you are Miguel de Cervantes with your sidekick, Sancho, and you find yourself jailed in a dungeon with the worst of the worst to stand trial during the Inquisition. You did a quick bout as a tax collector, and accidentally foreclosed on a Monastery, not the best thing to do during the Inquisition. Arrested and thrown into the dungeon, Miguel learns he has two trials to stand, one for the Inquisition, the other by his fellow inmates. In his defense, he conjures up an unfinished manuscript with the props of knights, and reenacts the magical tale of the greatest knight of all, Don Quixote. And he took his fabled box of tricks and swords, and had himself anointed knight while falling for the graces of the lovely Aldonza.

”To right … the unrightable wrong …
To love … pure and chaste from afar …
To try … when your arms are too weary …
To reach … the unreachable star …

Kevin McGuire comes into his own as Don Quixote, in what can only be described as a spectacular performance second to none. But he doesn’t do it all alone. The entire cast of Capital Rep’s La Mancha works together like a well-oiled machine to bring together a performance that culminated in a standing ovation. Kevin McGuire looked the part. He played the part. He was the part.

But could he sing the impossible Impossible?
He could. The song we had all been waiting for. And we heard it not once, but twice.
As he was led away to stand trial, his fellow inmates gathered around him and chanted The Impossible Dream in voices that gave you goose bumps head to toe.

”This is my quest, to follow that star …
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far …
To fight for the right, without question or pause …
To be willing to march into Hell, for a Heavenly cause …”

But if Kevin McGuire took himself to the top, he did bring with him wonderful company.
Anne Fraser Thomas also gave a wonderful performance with some of the best dramatic acting we’ve seen in a long time. The passion in her character combined with an operatic voice moved the audience.

David Anderson Sutton, the Padre, proved he could hold his own among the best. We will see more of him.
It is hard to find fault with this production. I wish there was more Shannon Rafferty, who had the voice of an angel. I could have listened to her sing all day. She needs a lead role to let the world hear her magical voice.

”And I know if I’ll only be true, to this glorious quest,
That my heart will lie will lie peaceful and calm,
when I’m laid to my rest … “

I may go see La Mancha again. The Impossible Dream is, after all, a favorite song that I will have going through my head over and over again. It is almost the holidays.

And anyway, I need to buy myself an early present.

”And the world will be better for this:
That one man, scorned and covered with scars,
Still strove, with his last ounce of courage,
To reach … the unreachable star …”

Lyrics by Joe Darion
By: Rich

Theater review: ‘Man of La Mancha’ receives sparkling treatment at Cap Rep
Thursday, November 17, 2011
By Paul Lamar

WHERE: Capital Repertory Theatre, 111 N. Pearl St., Albany

WHEN: Friday through Dec. 17

HOW MUCH: $70-$40

MORE INFO: 445-7469, www.capitalrep.org

“Man of La Mancha,” that 1964 Tony Award-winning chestnut by Dale Wasserman, Mitch Leigh and Joe Darion, is being given a sumptuous treatment by Capital Repertory Theatre, thanks to the large vision of director Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill. She has assembled a first-rate cast (anchored by the estimable Kevin McGuire), snagged a gifted musical director — Adam Jones — and pulled out all the stops with her production crew. You’re going to like what you see and hear.

This is, of course, Wasserman’s take on Cervantes’ “Don Quixote.” Cervantes (McGuire) and his servant (Robert Anthony Jones) have been thrown into prison on charges of foreclosing on a church and are awaiting trial with the Inquisition. (The program’s reference to the Spanish Civil War is unclear, the guards’ costumes notwithstanding.) They are insulted by the other prisoners, who decide to put them on trial themselves, with all of Cervantes’ possessions at stake. The author asks to defend himself, so he can keep his precious literary manuscript, which is up for burning.

Knight’s story

His defense consists of telling a story about the adventures of a would-be knight, Don Quixote, a story the other prisoners begin to act out. Quixote is, of course, the knight who sees the world as he wants it to be, not the cruel, degrading reality other people live in. For this reason he’s considered a madman by the realists, but his optimism and kindness have transformative powers, particularly on a local inn’s scullery maid, Aldonza (Anne Fraser Thomas), whom he dubs Dulcinea.

The narrative ultimately affects the prisoners-turned-actors, who, when the time comes for Cervantes to meet the Inquisition, give him back his precious book.

From time to time the fiction is interrupted by Cervantes’ real-life circumstances. This play-within-a-play conceit is seamlessly executed, thanks to Stephen Quandt’s lighting design, David Thomas’s sound design, and a stunning set by Roman Tatarowicz that allows the action to flow.

Susan Cicarelli Caputo’s choreography and David Bunce’s fight routines are apt and eye-catching, and Anna Lacivita’s costume design fits the styles of both worlds.

Many of the performers do double and triple duty, singing, dancing and playing instruments on stage. Jeffrey Funaro, for example, one of the prisoners, has skills as a trumpet player as well as vocal chops and dance moves. Ditto Emily Mikesell, a singing actress and violinist/flutist.

Vocal honors
READ FULL STORY at http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2011/nov/17/1117_lamancharev/

http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2011/11/09/entertainment/doc4ebb36213d2b7319401529.txt?viewmode=fullstory
Entertainment
Musical puts a spin on ‘Don Quixote’ at Capital Repertory Theatre
Published: Wednesday, November 09, 2011
By BOB GOEPFERT
entertainment518@journalregister.com

Click to enlarge
ALBANY — Kevin McGuire, who is starring in the Capital Repertory Theatre production of “Man of La Mancha,” says he completely embodies the character he plays.

“The character is me. I am crazy. I am a dreamer with an overactive imagination. And I feel things very deeply,” he said .

“Man of La Mancha,” which will debut Friday night, is a musical based on “Don Quixote” by Miguel de Cervantes, a 17th-century novel about a man who dreams he is a knight righting wrongs and protecting the down-trodden. Some people buy into his noble vision of life — which includes windmills that are dragons and scullery maids who are royalty — while others see it as proof he is crazy.

In the musical, Miguel de Cervantes and his sidekick, Sancho Panza, are thrown into jail along with debtors, thieves and other lowlifes. The two try to plead their innocence and enlist their fellow inmates in a re-enactment of Don Quixote’s tale.

The song “The Impossible Dream,” which is performed by McGuire, seems to resonate with the actor’s life and career.

McGuire was born and raised in the rural community of Hoosick Falls and found success on Broadway playing the lead in “Phantom of the Opera” in New York City and Toronto. He also played the lead in the Broadway production of “Les Miserables” and in the national tour of the musical “The Secret Garden.”

“I knew I wanted to be on Broadway from when I played the Christmas mouse at St. Mary’s Elementary School. I think I was 6 years old,” he said.

But few believed in him, even when he was accepted to study at the prestigious Juilliard Acting School in New York City.

“Early in my life, I learned not to live by the vision of others. The truth is, those who dream truly see the future,” McGuire said.

He laughs when he recalls that in 1990 he returned home with plans to share a year with his son, who was entering his senior year in high school, and decided to start the Theatre Company at Hubbard Hall. Still, no one took him seriously.

“I told people I wanted to use local actors to do a season that would consist of Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing,’ Shaw’s ‘Saint Joan’ and Chekhov’s ‘The Cherry Orchard,’ ” he said. “They looked at me like I was crazy. After three or four years of critically acclaimed work — all done on a shoestring budget — we drew 106 percent capacity over the season.”

He ended up staying in Cambridge for nine years.

“It was the best job I ever had,” McGuire said. “I got to do plays and act characters other people only dream about.”

One of those roles was Cervantes in “Man of La Mancha” in 2006. He remembers playing the character well.

“The critics all loved the work, but almost everyone said I was probably about five to 10 years too young for the role. That was five years ago. I hope they all remember that this time around,” he said with another great laugh.

McGuire insists he loves returning to the role.

“I directed the play as well as playing the lead. I was the guy who scratched to find props and had to figure out how to costume everyone. Now all I have to do is think about the character. It helps to have the guidance of Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill, who is a very good director.”

It’s nice to know that when one dreams enough, dragons can be defeated.

“Man of La Mancha” was written by Dale Wasserman. Lyrics are by Joe Darion and music was scored by Mitch Leigh.

WHERE: Capital Repertory Theatre

WHEN: Begins Friday, with performances through Dec. 17

MORE INFO: Call 445-7469 or go to www.capitalrep.org.

Quixote’s sidekick is a dream role for Jones
Thursday, November 10, 2011
By Bill Buell (Contact)
Gazette Reporter
Aldonza (Anne Fraser Thomas) shares a moment with Don Quixote’s trusty squire Sancho Panza (Robert Anthony Jones) in “Man of La Mancha.” (JOSEPH SCHUYLER)

Pretending to be Max Bialystock was hilarious, and portraying Wilbur Turnblad was a lot of fun. Still, as far as Robert Anthony Jones is concerned, the role of Sancho Panza offers a character actor just about everything he could want in a Broadway musical.

“It’s great music, and ‘Man of La Mancha’ also has a number of dramatic moments and an awful lot of heart in it,” said Jones, who is playing Sancho, Don Quixote’s sidekick, in the 1965 Broadway classic opening Friday at Capital Repertory Theatre. “I love this show and I know the message sounds corny, but I love that message. You can do what you want as long as you set your mind to it.”

Jones, a native of Islip, Long Island, will share the Cap Rep stage with Hoosick Falls native Kevin McGuire. The founder of The Theatre Company at Hubbard Hall in Cambridge and a Broadway veteran, McGuire is playing the lead character, 16th century writer Miguel de Cervantes, and the two characters he conjures up with his imagination: a country squire by the name of Alonso Quijana and a dauntless knight known as Don Quixote.

Read full story at: http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2011/nov/10/1110_sancho/

Scene & heard
http://www.timesunion.com/entertainment/article/Scene-heard-2250738.php

Published 05:18 p.m., Thursday, November 3, 2011

"Eye of the Tiger" for Election Day
This Election Day, are you rooting for the underdogs? Well, after you vote, get yourself to Proctors in Schenectady on Tuesday, where It Came From Schenectady presents the Election Day Rumble, a double feature of movies that feature battles nearly as bloody as those waged at the ballot box.

It all starts at 7 p.m. with a screening of "Rocky 3," the 1982 sequel that finds Sylvester Stallone's Rocky Balboa again a loser, fighting his way back to challenge a younger, faster, more vicious opponent (Mr. T). Next up is ''They Live,'' John Carpenter's 1988 sci-fi/horror flick, featuring wrestler ''Rowdy'' Roddy Piper fighting aliens disguised as humans while helping to dispense satiric jabs at the economy, a culture of greed and the power of mass media.

Tickets are $9 for adults and $6 for students with ID. For more information, call 346-6204.

A fine line between stupid and clever
Taking the idea of "this one goes to 11" to, well, 11, Valentine's in Albany (along with Sir Dennis Eaton Hogg) are hosting "Tonight We're Gonna Rock You, Tonight!", an evening of Spınal Tap Tap music on 11/11/11. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Chris Ryan Arts Scholarship.

Several of the area's best known bands will be paying homage to the faux heavy metal band made famous in the 1984 Rob Reiner mockumentary "This Is Spınal Tap.'' They include: Knyghts of Fuzz, House of Vice, Big Frank and the Bargain Bingers, Von Hanzig, The Geoff Ryan Band, Vicious Jimmy, Shark Sandwich, Will Ulrich, James Wolfe and others.

The show starts at 8 p.m. For more information, call 432-6572. And yes, there will be a miniature Stonehenge. No word yet on costumed dwarves.

Fifty years of dancing to Bach
Nacre Dance Company has planned a three-day "Christmas Oratorio" 50th anniversary celebration at the Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs from Friday, Nov. 18, through Sunday, Nov. 20. The Friday and Saturday shows start at 8 p.m., Sunday's at 2 p.m. Partial proceeds will benefit the restoration project for the hall.
Nacre's production is based on Charles Weidman's later version of "Christmas Oratorio," which opened in New York City in 1961. It features the original music by Johann Sebastian Bach, which debuted in 1734, performed by the musicians and choral ensemble of Mosaic-Arts.
Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for students and seniors. For tickets or information, visit http://www.nacredance.com or call 435-0510.

Debates bring humor for Capitol Steps
Big GOP field provides fine fodder, but Dems get zingers, too
Thursday, November 3, 2011
By Bill Buell (Contact), Gazette Reporter

The Capitol Steps make a return visit to the Capital Region at Proctors on Saturday.
Elaina Newport wasn’t running out of things to write about, but as head writer of the comedy troupe “Capitol Steps” her work certainly wasn’t getting any easier.
Then, the Republican presidential debates came along.
“They are a lot of fun,” said Newport, who co-founded “Capitol Steps” back in 1981 with fellow Washington legislative staffer Bill Strauss. “Trying to figure out which candidate was going to be the story from week to week is tough. We’re holding out . . . hope that Michele Bachmann and Sarah Palin will be the Republican ticket, but I doubt that’s going to happen.”
Saturday night at 8 at Proctors, “Capitol Steps” will bring its irreverent display of political humor to the Capital Region for the fifth consecutive year. Through song and dance, the group takes potshots at just about every political leader, from Barack Obama to his predecessor in the oval office, George W. Bush.

Read all about it: http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2011/nov/03/1103_steps/

One night. One stage. Two incredible performers.

Michael Feinstein and Marvin Hamlisch

perform the Great American Songbook
Saturday, November 19, 8:00 pm
The Mainstage at Proctors

Schenectady, NY – November 1, 2011 -- “When I first moved to Los Angeles,” said Michael Feinstein, “I discovered that movie studios would throw away archives, music publishers would get rid of old arrangements, manuscripts would be discarded, and complete orchestrations for shows would be tossed out.

“Our musical heritage was literally disappearing because people didn’t understand it was valuable to save it.”



For decades, Feinstein has collected, preserved and performed these treasures of American music by the likes of George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, and Rodgers and Hart -- representing the best American songs of the 20th century, principally from Broadway theatre, musical theatre, and Hollywood musicals, from the 1920s to 1960, including dozens of songs of enduring popularity. This compilation, known as the Great American Songbook, remains a vital part of the repertoire of jazz musicians, who describe such songs simply as "jazz standards.”

American music icons
Michael Feinstein and Marvin Hamlisch
will perform from this Great American Songbook in a special concert
at Proctors on Saturday, November 19!

As a composer, Marvin Hamlisch has won virtually every major award that exists: three Oscars, four Grammys, four Emmys, a Tony® and three Golden Globe awards.
Michael Feinstein, the multi-platinum-selling, five-time Grammy-nominated entertainer, is considered one of the premier interpreters of American standards. His 150-plus shows a year have included performances at Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl as well as the White House and Buckingham Palace.
And they're coming to Schenectady.
BUY TICKETS NOW
Tickets for Michael Feinstein and Marvin Hamlisch perform the Great American Songbook are available at Proctors Box Office, (518) 346-6204 or online at proctors.org. Ticket Prices: $20, $40, $50, $60 & $90 (subject to change).

Significant discounts on tickets are available for groups of 20 or more. A listing of shows and pricing may be found on proctors.org/group_sales or by contacting Proctors Group Sales at 518-382-3884 ext. 139.

Michael Feinstein and Marvin Hamlisch perform the Great American Songbook is made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, celebrating 50 years of building strong, creative communities in New York State's 62 counties.

HGM/Hill Gosdeck & McGraw, LLC is the title sponsor for Michael Feinstein and Marvin Hamlisch perform the Great American Songbook.

ACCESS Continuing education, Inc. is the subsponsor for this event.

Michael Feinstein and Marvin Hamlisch perform the Great American Songbook is made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, celebrating 50 years of building strong, creative communities in New York State's 62 counties.

The beloved and enduring saga

MAN OF LA MANCHA

- Special Engagement - November 11 - December 17, 2011
-------
Go Backstage with Maggie* on Sunday, December 4

Albany, NY – November 2, 2011 – As enduring as hope itself, MAN OF LA MANCHA, based on the timeless Cervantes novel, has inspired audiences "To Dream the Impossible Dream" ever since winning five Tony® Awards in 1964. Adapted from Dale Wasserman's non-musical 1959 teleplay I, Don Quixote -- which was in turn inspired by Miguel de Cervantes's seventeenth century masterpiece Don Quixote – MAN OF LA MANCHA weaves the story of the "mad" knight, Don Quixote, as a play within a play performed by Cervantes and his fellow prisoners as he awaits a hearing with the Spanish Inquisition.

Audiences, no doubt will fall under the spell of this touching and magical musical when it plays by Special Engagement at the region’s esteemed Capital Repertory Theatre from Friday, November 11 through Saturday, December 17, 2011.

“MAN OF LA MANCHA is such an uplifting story,” says Capital Reps Producing Artistic Director Maggie Mancinell-Cahill who is directing this production. “The experience is further heightened by the outstanding cast we have assembled for the production at Capital Rep.

“Nearly everyone has heard the music and even young children are familiar with the story,” she said: “Thrown into prison on trumped-up charges, Miguel Cervantes and his sidekick, Sancho Panza find themselves among a throng of debtors, thieves and worse. What better way to prepare your defense and plead your innocence than by enlisting the inmates to re-enact the magical tale of the greatest knight of all, Don Quixote – slayer of dragons, windmills and defender of ladies in distress.
“Its message -- to never give up – that miracles happen – and we can reach the stars – is an inspiration to all of us.”

The original 1965 Broadway production ran for 2,328 performances and won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The musical has been revived four times on Broadway, becoming one of the most enduring works of musical theatre. The musical has played in many other countries around the world, with productions in German, Hebrew, Japanese, Icelandic, Gujarati, Uzbek, Hungarian, Slovenian, Swahili, Finnish, Ukrainian and nine distinctly different dialects of the Spanish language.

Recommended for ages 12 and up. Running time: Approx. 2 hrs and 15 minutes (including one intermission)

AN ACTOR’S PERSPECTIVE

Actor Kevin McGuire portrays Miguel de Cervantes/Don Quixote/and Alonso Quijana. A native of New York's Capital Region, he has played lead roles on Broadway, National and International tours of Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera, Jane Eyre and starred as Uncle Archie in The National Company of The Secret Garden. Mr. McGuire has garnered international recognition, traveling more than 80,000 miles and acting in more than 69 cities around the world.

He shares his thoughts on MAN OF LA MANCHA at Capital Rep:

· Kevin McGuire, Interview 1
· Kevin McGuire Interview 2

SPECIAL EVENTS FOR MAN OF LA MANCHA!
Opening Night:

Pre-Show - Live Music entertainment with special guest musician performing in the main lobby
Post Show Reception - Dessert and Champagne Toast. After the show in the café, meet the cast and company as they are introduced by Capital Repertory Producing Artistic Director, Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill.
*Backstage with Maggie: Sunday, Dec. 4 at 1:10 PM. Join Capital Rep’s Producing Artistic Director Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill for an insider’s perspective on the design of MAN OF LA MANCHA.

Early Bird Previews - The first Friday, Saturday and Sunday of each show. Be among the first to see each play before it is reviewed by the press.

PERFORMANCES

Evening Performance Times
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 7:30pm

· November 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 29, 30

· December 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15 Friday, Saturday: 8:00pm

· November 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26

· December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17 Sunday: 7:00pm

· November 20, 27, December 4

Matinee Performance Times

Wednesday: 2:00

· November 23 Saturday: 3:00

· November 12, 19, 26, December 3, 10, 17

· November 13, 20, 27, December 4, 11 Sunday: 2:00

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Weekends: $50, $60 & $70; Weekdays: $40, $50 & $60

1. In person –

At Proctors 432 State Street, Schenectady

Monday-Friday 10AM-6PM

Sat-Sunday 10AM-5PM

At Capital Rep 2 hours before any show

2. Over the phone (518) 445-SHOW (7469)

3. Online @ www.capitalrep.org

CAST of MAN OF LA MANCHA

Kevin McGuire* Miguel de Cervantes/Don Quixote/Alonso Quijana

(alphabetically)

Brendan Brierley prisoner/Jose

Chris Caron prisoner/Pedro

Jeffrey Funaro* Anselmo/prisoner/trumpet/clarinet

Robert Anthony Jones* Manservant/Sancho

Emily Mikesell* Housekeeper/prisoner/violin/flute/piccolo

Joe Phillips prisoner/Barber

Shannon Rafferty* Antonia/prisoner/donkey/Moorish Dancer/Fermina

Freddy Ramirez* The Captain/horse/Juan/Moorish Dancer

Breanna Stangel prisoner/serving girl/Belly Dancer

David Sutton prisoner/Padre

Anne Fraser Thomas* Aldonza/Dulcinea

Christopher Vettel* The Duke/Doctor Carrasco/guitar

Scott Wakefield* The Governor/Innkeeper/guitar

Erin Waterhouse prisoner/Maria/Moorish Dancer

STAGE MANAGEMENT

Liz Reddick* Production Stage Manager

Sara E. Friedman* Assistant Stage Manager

* member of Actors Equity Association

DESIGN TEAM

Roman Tatarowicz Sets

Stephen Quandt Lighting

Anna Lacivita Costumes

David Thomas Sound

PIT MUSICANS

Adam Jones keyboard/musical direction

James Doug Esmond classical guitar

Cast percussion

ABOUT CAPITAL REP

Capital Repertory Theatre has a rich, local history of excellent entertainment and strong community relationships. Established in 1981, it came into existence through the dedication and perseverance of a group of Albany business, community and civic leaders. Donated labor, materials and expertise transformed the Grand Cash Market, an abandoned supermarket at 111 North Pearl Street, into what was to become the home of Albany's first professional resident theatre.

Over the past 30 years, the facility on North Pearl Street has been renovated several times, and now includes a 286-seat theatre, a café space, a costume-making shop, and a rehearsal hall. In addition to returning more than 83% of its operating budget directly back to the local community, Capital Rep brings vitality and commerce to downtown in the form of more than 75,000 diners, shoppers, and tourists, serving as an economic engine in the entertainment district on North Pearl Street.

In all programs and services, Capital Repertory Theatre reflects its mission by embracing its community as a source of inspiration. Capital Rep embraces cast, crew and audiences from every background to expand the horizons of thought and understanding of the human condition through the power of theatre.

Capital Repertory Theatre is a professional, not-for-profit cultural organization, and the only member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT) within fourteen counties of the Upper Hudson-Mohawk Valley.

As a proud member of LORT, an esteemed organization that promotes the positive impact of theatres in the arts and communities nationwide, Capital Rep is able to create excellent opportunities for both up-and-coming and seasoned theatre professionals. Today, these affiliated theatres provide artists with a support system for developing new work, as well as reviving classics and perennial favorites. LORT members strive to provide hundreds of thousands of people with the opportunity to experience the highest caliber of performance right in their own communities. For more information about LORT, please visit http://www.lort.org/.

NYSCA Support

Capital Repertory Theatre receives general support from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), celebrating 50 years of building strong, creative communities in New York State's 62 counties.

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