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| Talia Thiesfield, David Pittsinger and Brian Michael Hoffman All photos by Anne Hudson |
Having been privileged to see the original production of
“Man of La Mancha” starring Richard Kiley, it’s difficult to shake those fond
memories when I see a revival of this iconic musical. I’m happy to report,
however, that what I recently saw out at Ivoryton made me forget the Washington
Square production, for the storied Playhouse has boarded a near perfect staging
of Dale Wasserman’s musical, one that should please just about everyone and
perhaps bring a tear or two to the eye.
Under the perceptive, sensitive direction of David Edwards,
with efficient, effective choreography by Todd Underwood, music by Mitch Leigh
and lyrics by Joe Darion, the story of the Knight of the Woeful Countenance
comes gloriously to life with at least two star-turn performances.
For those who have been living in a cave for the last five
decades, the show posits the Spanish author, Miguel de Cervantes, being thrown
into jail to be held until the Inquisition can ask him some pointed questions.
His fellow inmates, thieves and cutthroats, decide to put him on trial. To
defend himself, Cervantes decides to tell the (abbreviated) story of Don
Quixote de la Mancha, enlisting the inmates to play characters in the saga.
Initially disdainful of Cervantes’ philosophy and of his character’s misguided
nobility, by play’s end, as Cervantes is called to face the Inquisition, the
inmates rise and salute the man and his “dream.”
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| David Pittsinger |
Although the lead role in the musical was originated by
Kiley, many an opera veteran has been called upon to portray the somewhat addled
Don, often with less than satisfying results, mainly because of a deficiency in
acting skills: big voice but awkward, stiff performance. “La
Mancha ” ain’t “Rigoletto.” Fortunately, Ivoryton tapped David
Pittsinger to play the role, the same bass-baritone who played Emile de Becque
in last year’s outstanding production of “South Pacific” at Ivoryton. Yes,
Pittsinger has a big voice, but he can also act, very subtly at times. Thus,
his performance as Quixote/Cervantes is both nuanced and moving, and he
absolutely nails (spoiler alert!) the death scene. A formidable figure,
Pittsinger ably morphs into a tottering, slightly addled old man who tilts at
windmills, and he brings the house to its feet with Quixote’s two signature
numbers: “Man of La Mancha” and, of course, “The Impossible Dream.”
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| Talia Thiesfield |
However, Quixote is nothing without his Dulcinea, and here
Ivoryton has struck absolute gold in casting Talia Thiesfield as the kitchen
slut who becomes Quixote’s female ideal. Thiesfield gives the audience an
earthy, fiery Aldonza who fights against Quixote’s idealization of her as
Dulcinea. Captivating throughout the show, she rises to mesmerizing heights
with her performance of “Aldonza” late in the second act – it ably stands
against Pittsinger’s “Impossible Dream” as a candidate for the ultimate
show-stopping moment.
Quixote also needs his Sancho Panza, and although Brian
Michael Hoffman lays it on just a bit too thick in the opening moments of the
production, he quickly eases into his character and delivers a delightful “A
Little Gossip” to try and cheer up his companion.
The production is also graced with a strong supporting cast,
with Edwards doing double duty as director and playing the haughty Dr. Sanson
Carrasco, and a notable Amy Buckley as Antonia, a young woman who is “only
thinking” of her uncle as she connives to have him declared insane.
Subtle lighting by Marcus Abbott and a sturdy, multi-purpose
set by Daniel Nischen that utilizes every inch of Ivoryton’s stage add to the
enjoyment of a production that absolutely glows from start to finish.
Compliments galore to everyone involved, including the seven-person orchestra
sequestered beneath the stage, in this wonderful production that packed the
house the day I saw it.
“Man of La Mancha ” plays
through October 2. For tickets or more information call 860-767-7318 or go to www.ivorytonplayhouse.org.
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