(Vero Beach, FL) Riverside Theatre, led by Producing Artistic Director/CEO Allen D. Cornell and Managing Director/COO Jon R. Moses, presents the American Classic, Man of La Mancha. Sponsored by Cynthia & David Bardes, Bill & Eva Gurley, David Horner & Constance Pitcher, Ron Hunt & Lisa Amorosa and Riverside Theatre’s Patron Producers Group, Man of La Mancha performs on the Stark Stage from January 3-22, 2023.
Inspired by Miguel de Cervantes’ 17th century masterpiece, Don Quixote, Man of La Mancha is one of the most honored musicals of the American theatre.
With a book by Dale Wassermen, music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion, the story follows failed author and tax collector, Miguel de Cervantes, who is imprisoned during the chaotic days of the Spanish Inquisition. Imprisoned with his manservant, Sancho Panza, for crimes against the church, Cervantes must persuade his fellow inmates not to destroy the few possessions he brought with him in a trunk, which includes his unfinished novel, Don Quixote.
Seeking to save his manuscript, Cervantes performs as Don Quixote in front of his fellow inmates. Donning a costume and makeup from his trunk, he turns into an old knight and engages the other prisoners with his adventures of chivalry and injustice. In the end, Cervantes’ story deeply affects those imprisoned and he is able to keep his precious novel.
Man of La Mancha started out as a non-musical play for written for television by Mr. Wasserman and aired on CBS’ “DuPont Show of the Month” starring Lee J. Cobb and Colleen Dewhurst. Years after the broadcast, Mr. Wasserman was approached by director Albert Marre to turn the play into a musical.
After opening off-Broadway at a theater in Greenwich Village in November 1965, Man of La Mancha moved to the Martin Beck Theatre and two subsequent theaters before it closed in March 1971 with a Broadway run of 2,328 performances.
The production won 5 Tony Awards in 1966 including Best Musical, Best Actor in a Leading Role (Richard Kiley), Best Director (Albert Marre), Best Score (Mitch Leigh and Joe Darion) and Best Scenic Design (Howard Bay). Man of La Mancha made Richard Kiley an international star.
Riverside Theatre’s production is Directed and Choreographed by DJ Salisbury and stars Edward Staudenmayer (Cervantes/Don Quixote), Lianne Marie Dobbs (Aldonza), Tony Chiroldes (Sancho), Derrick Davis (Carrasco), Edward Juvier (The Padre), David Benoit (Innkeeper/Governor), Caitlin Finnie (Antonia), April Armstrong (Housekeeper), Tauren Hagans (Maria), Wesley Slade (Barber) and Paola Hernandez (Fermina).
The remaining cast includes: Philp Ancheta, Kara Arena, Andre Aultmon, Rhys Kauffman, Bernell J. Lassai, Alexander Levin, Enrique Miguel, Alexandra Osorio and Kit Treece.
The production crew includes: Michael Gribbin (Music Director), Michael Schwiekardt (Scenic Designer), Lauren T. Roark (Costume Designer), Sioban Jones (Wig Designer), Travis McHale (Lighting Designer), Craig Beyrooti (Sound Designer), Ingrid Louise Olson (Production Stage Manager) and Sarah Luedloff (Assistant Stage Manager). Casting was done in New York City by Wojcik Casting Team.
Man of La Mancha performs January 3-22, 2023 on the Stark Stage at Riverside Theatre. Tickets start at $45. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 772-231-6990 or online at www.riversidetheatre.com.
Performances are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 7:30pm; Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm; with matinees on Wednesdays, select Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm.
Performance Schedule:
January 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18 & 19 @ 7:30pm
January 4, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 18, 21 @ 22 @ 2pm
January 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 & 21 @ 8pm
Man of La Mancha is presented by Cynthia & David Bardes, Bill & Eva Gurley, David Horner & Constance Pitcher, Ron Hunt & Lisa Amorosa and Riverside Theatre’s Patron Producers Group: Brad and Fran Anderson, Anonymous, Lois Appleby, Linda Aronberg, Anita Astrachan^, Carol Atkinson, Barbara Baldwin, David and Cynthia Bardes, Paul and Jayne Becker, Sam and Susie Bell, Dick and Sue Bergeman, Ted and Debbie Berghorst, Eric and Fuzzy Billings, Jerry and Anne Blatherwick, John and Anita Brennan, Peter and Susie Brinckerhoff, Camille Broadbent, Bill and Laura Buck, Tim and Carol Buhl, Tony and Joyce Caldarone, Bill and Karen Campbell, Chris and Faris Chesley, Don and Rose Ciampa, Dottie Currie, Dick and Maryanne Davis, Willem and Marion de Vogel, Don and Vicky DeMuth, John and Sue Dobbs, VJ and Veronica Dowling, Bill and Laura Frick, Michael and Mary Fuller, Bob and Wheatie Gibb, Jennifer Grant, Mary Jane “MJ”^ Grant, Herb and Anne Gullquist, Bill and Eva Gurley, Duke and Gael Habernickel, Robert and Pat Hall, Dick and Rosemary Haverland, Calvin and Sally Hills, Joan and Michael Hoben, Dave Horner and Constance Pitcher, Ron Hunt and Lisa Amorosa, Pete Justi, Dave and Barb Kaytes, John and Pam Kean, Robert and Nell Kleinschmidt, Judy and Lou LaFage, Bill and Joy Lane, Charlie Long, Betty MacMillan, Jacqueline Malloy, Jim Marver and Shirin Kaufman, Marilyn McConnell, Ray and Sonia McGowan, Mike and Sandy McManus, Brooke Megrue, Ted and Dawn Michael, Cliff and Sheridan Morris, Bob and Susan Morrison, Wally and Peggy Nelson, Jay Newman and Elissa Kramer, Bobbie Olsen, Don and Connie Patterson, Pat and Ed Pavlish, Michael and Kathie Pierce, Helen Post, Ted and Carol Price, John and Barbara Reed, Bill and Peg Regan, Michael and Anne Rhoads, Bob and Karen Ritter, John Roberts and Juli Blunt, Mary and Randy Rogers, Randy and Sandy Rolf, Ron and Nancy Rosner, Bill and Judy^ Schneebeck, Van Schreiber, Virginia and Warren Schwerin, Ned and Emily Sherwood, Dick and Nancy Shoemate, Anna Bain Slater, Joe and Mary Alice Smith, Stephanie Smith, Dick and Stephanie Solar, Charlotte Stifel, Bill and Carolyn Stutt, Doug and Dhuanne Tansill, John and Tobey Taylor, Charlie and Sue Thomas, Janet Tribus, Marjorie P. Turley, Steve and Anne Warhover, Heidi Waxlax, Lorne Waxlax, Pat and Carol Welsh, Liz and Ken Whitney, Gail D. Williams ^ deceased
Riverside Theatre is located at 3250 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963. Riverside Theatre programs are sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Riverside Theatre is a member of the Cultural Council of Indian River County, the Indian River Chamber of Commerce, and the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce.
