By Charlene Baldridge | Downtown Theatre Critic
Cygnet Theatre Artistic Director Sean Murray is currently portraying his third Cervantes/Don Quixote in the Dale Wasserman/Mitch Leigh/Joe Darion 1965 Broadway musical, “Man of La Mancha.” His first time out in the dual-role was at Poway High School in 1978 and the second at North Coast Repertory Theatre in 2001.
Continuing through August 26, Murray’s current incarnation of Spanish author Don Miguel de Cervantes is the centerpiece of a splendid Cygnet Theatre production. Murray and his partner in life, Bill Schmidt, founded Cygnet ten years ago. To say Cygnet is known for its excellence and the excellence of its musicals is an understatement.
Thrown into prison during the Spanish Inquisition, Cervantes must defend his manuscript, presumably his masterwork Don Quixote, in a kangaroo court convened by lowlife prisoners, who transform themselves into characters in Cervantes novel, using a trunk toted into the prison by Cervantes’ faithful servant, Sancho (Bryan Barbarin).
Cervantes transforms himself into the deluded knight errant, Don Quixote de la Mancha, and sets off to right wrongs and slay dragons.
In a case of mistaken identity, he tilts with a windmill and comes out on the short end of the stick. He mistakes a rundown roadhouse for a castle, a shaving bowl for a golden helmet, and the whorish strumpet Aldonza (Erika Beth Phillips) for his ladylove, whom he calls Dulcinea.
In truth, the musical’s book concerns the delusions of old age, honor, and the belief in what is rightful and true. Mitch Leigh’s fabulous score includes “Dulcinea,” “I’m Only Thinking of Him,” “Little Bird, Little Bird,” “Golden Helmet of Mambrino,” “I Really Like Him,” and “The Impossible Dream.”
An excellent actor, Murray is a splendid Cervantes/Quixote, possessed of a lovely high baritone that seems effortlessly produced. Murray has a great talent for directing and casting quality performers, and a marvelous eye for what works on Cygnet’s stage. As director, he begins the production splendidly with two actors who play guitar extremely well, David Kirk Grant (later the prisoners’ mock Governor and Innkeeper) and Lucas Coleman, who portrays a Muleteer. The two men on guitar begin the overture and are soon joined by Billy Eldwall on trumpet, Amy Kalal on woodwinds, Dillon Casey on guitar, and Shane Simmons, as music director, conductor and keyboardist. One is swept from this brilliant overture right through to the musical’s conclusion.
Kürt Norby returns to Cygnet to assay the role of Padre. His singing of “To Each His Dulcinea” and “The Psalm” are lovely, and he displays comic chops in “I’m Only Thinking of Him,” a trio with Quixote’s niece Antonia (Katie Whalley) and his Housekeeper (Linda Libby). As Aldonza/Dulcinea – an impossible role that I’ve never heard sung well – Erika Beth Phillips gives evidence of a once glorious high voice. Her diffuse midrange conveys nothing of Aldonza’s rage – the thing that makes this so challenging a role.
Others in the company – when they sing all together it is thrilling – are Bryan Banville, Christian Daley, Justin Warren Martin, Jason Maddy, and Nathan Riley. Jeanne Reith is costume designer. Sean Fanning’s set – most ingeniously diaphanous except for the prison stairs – is splendid, creating grandeur as well as a sense of mustiness. Michelle Caron is lighting designer; Peter Herman, the wig and makeup designer; Ross Goldman and Matt Lescault-Wood, sound designers; and Angelica Ynfante, properties designer.
“Man of La Mancha” continues at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; 7 p.m. Sundays; with matinees at 3 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, at the Old Town Theatre, 4040 Twiggs Street, Old Town; ticket prices vary depending on performance and seat location; children under 5 are not admitted. Tickets: www.cygnettheatre.com or 619-337-1525.
