Charles Newell's Joseph Jefferson Award-winning production — seen at Chicago's Court Theatre last season — will come to Long Wharf's mainstage Feb 21, for a run to March 18. Opening night for the Dale Wasserman-Joe Darion-Mitch Leigh musical in New Haven will be Feb. 28.
Set in a Spanish prison during the Inquisition, Man of La Mancha tells the story of Don Miguel de Cervantes' prison trial (set to the music of Mitch Leigh and lyrics of Joe Darion) and interweaves "the tale of an idealistic knight who valiantly battled windmill giants," showing "Don Quixote and his sidekick Sancho Panza on their quest for hope and honor," show materials explain.
Herbert Perry will reprise his Chicago turn as Miguel De Cervantes (Alonso Quijana /Don Quixote) opposite fellow castmate Hollis Resnik (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels tour) as Escalante (Aldonza/Dulcinea). Jim Corti as the Manservant (Sancho Panza) joins the cast that also features Broadway's The Threepenny Opera actor Brian Charles Rooney (The Duke/Dr. Sansón/Carrasco/Knight of the Mirrors) and the recent revival of Sweeney Todd star Benjamin Magnuson (El Medico/The Barber/Moorish Pimp). Michael Berry (The Governor/The Innkeeper), Stephen Wallem (Judas Macabeo/The Padre), Rena Strober (Graciosa/Antonia/Moorish Girl), Lucia Spina (Mother Bane/Maria-Innkeeper’s Wife/Housekeeper), Sean Blake (El Medico/The Barber/Moorish Pimp) and Patrick Mcroberts (The Gypsy/José) also fill out the ensemble.
Doug Peck serves as musical director. The design team features John Culbert (set), Jacqueline Firkins (costumes), Mark Mccullough (lighting) with Ray Nardelli and Josh Horvath (sound). Cole P. Bonenberger is stage manager.
The season at Long Wharf continues with an as-yet untitled David Cale (Floyd and Clea Under the Western Sky) and Dael Orlandersmith (Yellowman) musical (March 28-April 29) and Anton Chekhov's Uncle Vanya (May 9-June 3). Tickets to Man of La Mancha at Long Wharf Theatre, 222 Sargent Drive in New Haven, CT, are available by calling (203) 787-4282 or by visiting the theatre's website at www.longwharf.org.
