A MASTERFUL “MAN OF LA MANCHA” AT CONNECTICUT REP

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Rarely in the history of musical theater hasthere been a play  with the majesty and power of “Man of LaMancha,” a story  within a story that portrays courage and idealismwrapped in  a fragile coating of possible madness.  The tale of Don  Quixote is one such example of greatness.
         IfDon Quixote had a middle name, it would surely be Idealist or Dreamer. Agallant and brave individual driven by unrealistic goals, he rides off tobattle giants even if they are really windmills, envisions castles when theyare actually only humble inns and courts ladies who are in fact lowly scullerymaids.         Tomeet the classically heroic figure of Don Quixote, one must journey to theConnecticut Repertory Theatre on the campus of the University of Connecticut bySaturday, June 16 to witness Dale Wasserman’s legendary tale of the “Man of LaMancha.”         WhenMiguel de Cervantes, poet, playwright, actor and tax collector is thrown into prisonand forced to plead his case before the Spanish Inquisition, he finds to hisdismay that his fellow prisoners want to put him on trial first.  They charge him with being an idealist,a poet and an honest man.  In hisdefense, he conjures up a charade, an entertainment, a tale of a country squireturned knight, one Don Quixote.         Usingthe inmates as his actors, Cervantes, magnificently portrayed by Terrence Mann,plays his hero who sallies forth into battle to slay dragons and rescue fairmaidens. With his trusty servant Sancho Panza, a loyal and adaptable andaffable Richard Ruiz at his side spouting proverbs of encouragement, DonQuixote first faces the Great Enchanter, a giant with many arms, that to somemight resemble a windmill.         Soonhe seeks shelter at a nearby castle, wanting hospitality from the lord (AlexGibson), who for all the world looks like a mere keeper of an inn.  But it is when Quixote’s eyes beholdthe unkempt maid, whom he claims as his Dulcinea, a fiery and fierce AlixPaige, that his illusions truly take wing.  Is he a mad man or the sanest of us all?         Musicalnumbers soar from the title song to the lyrical “Dulcinea,” the sweetness of“Little Bird,” the laughter of “I Really Like Him” to the power of “TheImpossible Dream.”  This productionis gallantly directed by Vincent J. Cardinal who leads a troupe of trulytalented performers to glory.         Fortickets ($10-42), call the Harriet S Jorgensen Theatre, at 860-486-2113 oronline at www.crt.uconn.edu. Performances are Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday at7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., and Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.    Come early to experience the wonderful displayof costumes, dress from the Industrial Age, 1850-1900, on  view next door in the gallery untilAugust 17.  Exhibit curator LauraCrow has done an outstanding job of collecting Victorian women’s clothing thatdepicts the beauty and style of the times.             Experience theater at its best as you travelacross the dusty Spanish plains with a slightly foolish knight who dreams of attaininghonor and chivalry.