The Mansfield University Departments of Music and Theatre will present Man of La Mancha, opening on Thursday, March 2 and running through Sunday, March 5 in Straughn Hall.
It has been over 20 years since this delightful musical adventure has graced the Mansfield stage and Theatre Professor Michael Crum, who is designing and directing the play, feels that it is long overdue. "It is one of my favorite musicals," Crum said. "It is also one that I have never directed before. I am very excited about the show."
Playing the leading role of Don Quixote is Brady Goldsmith, a Music Education and Voice major from Montrose, PA. His faithful friend Sancho is played by Music Education Major Edward Wooten from Rochester, NY. In the role of Aldonza is Megan McFadden, from Gettysburg, PA, who is majoring in Music Education & Music Therapy.
In addition to directing the show, Crum, along with his crew, is busy building the huge set that is 40-feet wide and towers 20-feet above the stage.
Associate Professor of Music Sheryl Monkelien, music director for the production, is hard at work as well. In addition to teaching and rehearsing the soloist and a chorus of 30 cast members, she is busy conducting the pit orchestra. The shows orchestra is composed of various instrumental music majors and features the guitar.
The production's score is a musical delight, and contains one of the most moving moments in musical theatre as Don Quixote relates his personal credo in The Impossible Dream. In addition, it has become known as one of the most challenging shows scenically to produce.
In recent years, the MU Theatre and Music Departments have produced shows such as Phantom, Oklahoma, and last year's big hit, The Music Man. This season's production of Man of La Mancha should prove to be one of the biggest and most exciting yet.
Cast
Don Quixote/Cervantes | Brady Goldsmith |
Sancho Panza | Edward C. Wooten III |
Captain of the Inquisition | David B. Petty |
Aldonza/Dulcinea | Megan McFadden |
The Innkeeper/Governor | John Asby |
The Duke | Matt Petrozelli |
Dr. Carrasco/Knight of the Mirrors | Brandon W. Bitner |
Padre Perez | David Wert |
Antonia | Kerri Grewe |
The Housekeeper | Ruthanna J. Williams |
The Barber | Darris DeRemer |
Pedro, Muleteer | Bryan Hoover |
Anselmo, Muleteer | Ryan Howe |
Jose, Muleteer | Michael Paul Hobbs |
Juan, Muleteer | Steve Dixon |
Paco, Muleteer | Shaun Stuart |
Tenorio, Muleteer | Aaron Wilson |
Miguel, Muleteer | David J. VanGorder |
Maria, the innkeeper's wife | Katie Heil |
Fermina, a servant girl | Rachelle Brisson |
The Guitarist | Peter Kemerer |
The Horses | Carina Long, Lauren E. Albright, Christine Swope |
Guards and Men of the Inquisition | Panagiotis Paslis, David J. VanGorder |
Moors | Lauren E. Albright, David B. Petty, Darris DeRemer, Panagiotis Paslis |
Prisoners | Amanda Henne, Coriander Shea Detwiler, Brooke Danner, Rachel Sherman, Amber A. Adams, Christine Swope |
Orchestra
Conductor | Sheryl Monkelien |
Guitar | Jeffrey Regina |
Flute/Piccolo | Elaine Cramer, Shannon Schiavo |
Oboe | Kristi Kaster |
Clarinet | Amanda Campagna |
Bassoon/Clarinet | Lauren Bernard |
Horn | Brian Nivison, Jennifer Keelty |
Trumpet | Ben Rochford, Matt Barry |
Trombone | Trevor Roberts, Rebekah M. Olechnowicz |
Bass | Kara Edelheiser |
Percussion | Stephen R. Syrell, Timothy Bupp, Karen Loessy |
Production Staff
Technical Director | Michael Crum |
Production Assistant | Katie Heil |
Lighting Designer | Kevin Gleason |
Sound | David Bush/Dave's Audio |
Costumes | Jennifer Maxfield |
Props | Sarah Sharer, Rebekah Olechnowicz, Kahna Haynes |
Make-up | Belinda Martz |
Hair | Laura Haffner |
Sound Effects | Clayton Barr |
Stage Crew | Burkett W. Fleming |
Spotlights | Becky Eick, Kim Hulslander |
Publicity | Lauren Bernard |
Tickets (pre-show) | Katie Houseknect |
Box Office | Katie Houseknect, Gina Lupini Lehman, Jennifer DeMillo, Kylene Fosmer, Maria Orr, Shanna Hubbs |
Ushers | The members pf Sigma Alpha Iota |
Rehearsal Pianist | Lynne Gohman |
Choreography | Carina Long |
Scenic Construction | Michael Crum, Ralph Wilsten, Becky Eick, Kim Hulslander, Tanesha Arnold, Joe Mitchell, Brandon Bitner, Brian Cunningham, Dave Wert, Matt Petrozelli, Mike Hobbs, Daniel Merino-Meehan, Kristen Ewing, Sarah Derrick, Amanda Sherry, Burkett W. Fleming, Lynne Gohman, Katie Heil |
Theatre Technicians | Katie Boyer, Becky Eick, Kim Hulslander, Jennifer Swody |
Costumes by | Mac-Haydn Theatre - Barbara Pedruzzi, Scaramouche Costumes, Costume Armour Inc. |
Special Thanks To...
- Cheryl Squirrell - Aged in the Hills
- Ralph Wilsten
- Will Schlosser
- Ross Whiting, Benton Best, Tom Dixon
- MU CMENC Chapter
- Silent G Productions
- Peter Davis
Man of La Mancha
Book by Dale Wasserman
Music by Mitch Leigh
Lyrics by Joe Darion
Man of La Mancha is produced through special arrangement with TAMS-WITMARK, MUSIC LIBRARY, INC. New York, NY
Performances:
Thurs, Mar 2nd 2006 @ 8:00pm
Fri, Mar 3rd 2006 @ 8:00pm
Sat, Mar 4th 2006 @ 8:00pm
Sun, Mar 5th 2006 @ 2:00pm
Straughn Auditorium - Mansfield University
Tickets:
Adults - $10
Seniors & Children - $7.50
MU Students with ID - $2
Tickets available online
or at the door
Directed by Professor Mike Crum
Musically Directed by Dr. Sheryl Monkelien
Designed by Michael Crum