Robert Goulet has been reprising the role of Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha for a limited engagement, appearing in four California venues July 27-Aug. 22. The venues include the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (July 27-Aug. 1); California Center for the Arts, Escondido (Aug. 3-8); San Jose Performing Arts Center (Aug. 10-15); and, ending this weekend, The Alex Theatre in Glendale (Aug. 17-22). Goulet's career has spanned nearly half a century. He made his Broadway debut in the original production of Camelot and won a Tony in 1968 for The Happy Time. In La Mancha, Goulet will play both Cervantes facing the Spanish Inquisition and the hero of his own novel, "Don Quixote de la Mancha." Quixote and his faithful squire, Sancho Panza, voyage from 1597 Seville, criss-crossing the Spanish countryside, battling windmills and pursuing Quixote's love, Aldonza (aka Dulcinea).

The production is directed by Gary Davis. Man of La Mancha, with book by Dale Wasserman (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest), lyrics by Joe Darion and music by Mitch Leigh, opened on Broadway in 1965 and won a series of awards. One of the most popular musicals ever created, the show played seven years on Broadway and subsequently toured all over the world.

-- By Sean McGrath