The Southwestern College theatre department will present the Tony Award-winning musical “Man of La Mancha” on Thursday, Oct. 23, at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 24, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 26, at 2 p.m., in the Richardson Performing Arts Center.  There is no admission charge to attend. 

“Man of La Mancha” is a 1965 musical with a book by Dale Wasserman, music by Mitch Leigh, and lyrics by Joe Darion. It is adapted from Wasserman's non-musical 1959 teleplay “I, Don Quixote,” which was in turn inspired by Miguel de Cervantes and his 17th-century novel, “Don Quixote.”  It tells 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.

Terry McGonigle, director of theatre at Southwestern College, says that this is a timeless musical.

“This is a great show with a story and music that is timeless,” McGonigle says.  “It reminds us how important it is to dream and to allow ourselves to speak out against what we see as “wrongdoing”.   It also reminds us of the importance of reaching for a goal that seems unobtainable, and that it doesn’t matter whether you reach it or not; the important thing is that you tried.”

The cast includes both staff members, students and community members, including: Doug Kinnear as Captain of the Guard, Tyron Spears and Keigan Good as Guards, Andrew Porter as Cervantes/Quixote, John Moberly as Sancho Panza, Emerson Williams as Governor/Innkeeper, Ethan Greene as Duke/Carrasco, Saherena Williams as Aldonza, Vanessa Lopez as Maria, Colton Adams, Kyle Smith, Jack Titgemeyer, and Braden Osborne as Muleteers, The play also features Adam Urich as Padre/Marcos, Abbey Denly as Antonia, MJ Harper as Housekeeper, Austin Fairbanks as Angelina/Barber,  Hannah Brown as Fermina, Gypsy, Jaidyn Soldin as Raquel/Gypsy, and Tony Farmer as Consuelo/Gypsy.

This year’s musical will also utilize live pit musicians to underscore and accompany the show’s story.

The production is the first of four this season.  Other productions include “Eagerheart,” Dec. 3 and 7; “The Wolves,” March 6-8; and “I Want to Make Magic!” April 17-19.