From our friends at the Shakespeare Theatre Company...
Special Don Quixote Exhibit on Display
Tonight is Opening Night for the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production of Man of La Mancha, under the direction of STC Associate Artistic Director Alan Paul. The production features acclaimed Australian actor Anthony Warlow as Don Quixote, accompanied by Amber Iman as Aldonza and Nehal Joshi as Sancho. Man of La Mancha will play at Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street, NW) through April 26, 2015.
A story of hope and idealism rises from the darkness and despair of a prison cell in Man of La Mancha, carried aloft by some of the most familiar and moving songs of the American theatre. As Miguel de Cervantes presents his tale of knight errant Don Quixote, his journey comes alive in a play-within-the-play, featuring loyal friends, troubled maidens, giant monsters and brave knights. Don Quixote’s quest - filled with humor and poignancy in equal measure - dares everyone to dream “The Impossible Dream.”
JOURNEYS ERRANT:
A preeminent literary work since its 17th century introduction, The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha and its central character of Don Quixote have inspired playwrights, illustrators, novelists, choreographers, sociologists, and fine artists. Cervantes’ quixotic knight has become a cultural nexus for dreamers around the world, including Ralph and Barbara Alterowitz of Potomac, Maryland. Their international travels led to a collection of antique editions, multi-lingual translations, and artists’ variations of the novel and works influenced by its central figure. The Shakespeare Theatre Company is proud to display select items from the Alterowitz’s collection throughout the run of Man of La Mancha, on display on the Orchestra Terrace and in the gift shop.
Man of La Mancha, book by Dale Wasserman, lyrics by Joe Darion and composed by Mitch Leigh, will play at Sidney Harman Hall through April 26, 2015. To purchase tickets or to learn more, patrons can call the box office at (202) 547-1122 or visit ShakespeareTheatre.org.
* This production contains violent and adult situations. Recommended for mature audiences.
Man of La Mancha is sponsored by Michael R. Klein and Joan I. Fabry and the Artistic Leadership Fund, with additional support from John and Meg Hauge.
MAN OF LA MANCHA CAST:
Anthony Warlow is one of the leading stage actors in Australia, with an extensive body of work that includes originating roles in Australian productions of Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera, The Secret Garden, Doctor Zhivago, and Jekyll & Hyde, as well as revivals of My Fair Lady, Guys & Dolls, and Man of La Mancha. In 1988, he garnered international recognition as the preeminent performer of Enjolras in Les Miserables, and performed the role on the Complete Symphonic Recording. Warlow first portrayed the lead in The Phantom of the Opera in the original Australian production, and returned to the role for Melbourne’s 2007 revival and a two-year tour of Australia and New Zealand. His extensive opera credits include The Magic Flute, La Boheme, Tosca, Otello, Tales of Hoffman, La Fanciulla del West, and Don Giovanni, as well as significant Gilbert and Sullivan roles with Opera Australia including The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance and H.M.S. Pinafore. He has recorded numerous solo albums, and in 2012 he made his Broadway debut as Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks in James Lapine’s revival of Annie.
Amber Iman makes her Shakespeare Theatre Company debut in the role of Aldonza. A graduate of Howard University, she has appeared as Nina Simone in the Broadway debut of Soul Doctor and Off-Broadway in Rent and A Civil War Christmas. She has appeared locally in Stick Fly at Arena Stage, as well as at Huntington Theatre Company, Alliance Theatre, and True Colors Theatre Company.
Nehal Joshi, who plays Sancho, appeared in STC’s Bard’s Broadway concert staging of The Boys from Syracuse, and is recognizable to D.C. audiences for his roles in Oklahoma! and Mother Courage and Her Children at Arena Stage. He recently appeared as Jean Valjean in the Dallas Theater Center’s reimagining of Les Miserables, and has performed in multiple Broadway productions.
The cast of Man of La Mancha also includes Jay Adriel (Guard), Ceasar F. Barajas (Pedro), Sidney DuPont (Paco), Joey Elrose (Juan), Maria Failla (Fermina/Antonia), Rayanne Gonzales (The Innkeeper’s Wife/Housekeeper), James Konicek (The Captain of the Inquisition), Nathan Lucrezio (Anselmo/Barber), Robert Mammana (The Duke/Dr. Carrasco), JP Moraga (Tenorio), James Hayden Rodriguez (Jose), Dan Sharkey (The Governor/Innkeeper), Martín Solá (The Padre), and Ethan Watermeier (Guard).
THE DIRECTOR:
Alan Paul helms Man of La Mancha, one of the most acclaimed adaptations - musical or otherwise - of classic literature. Paul won the 2014 Helen Hayes Award for Best Resident Director of a Musical for STC's A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. His work spans theatre and opera, and he was a 2013 finalist for the European Opera Directing Prize in Vienna, Austria. In January 2015 he directed the world premiere of Penny, part of the Washington National Opera’s American Opera Initiative. His production of Man of La Mancha continues to pave the way for classically inspired musicals at STC.
MAN OF LA MANCHA DESIGNERS & ARTISTIC TEAM:
Paul’s Artistic Team includes Choreographer Marcos Santana, Music Director George Fulginiti-Shakar, and Fight Choreographer David Leong.Set Designer Allen Moyer, Costume Designer Ann Hould-Ward, Lighting Designer Robert Wierzel, and Sound Designer Ken Travis have worked together to transform Sidney Harman Hall into the world of La Mancha.
For this production, Alan Paul was assisted by Casting Director Laura Stanczyk, CSA,Resident Casting Director Carter C. Wooddell, Voice and Text Coach Ellen O’Brien, Literary Manager Drew Lichtenberg, Assistant Director Katherine Burris, Production Stage Manager Joseph Smelser, and Assistant Stage Manager Robyn M. Zalewski.
* Artists and dates are subject to change.
ABOUT THE SHAKESPEARE THEATRE COMPANY:
Recipient of the 2012 Regional Theatre Tony Award, the Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) has become one of the nation’s leading theatre companies. Today, STC is synonymous with artistic excellence and making classical theatre more accessible.
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Kahn and Managing Director Chris Jennings, STC’s innovative approach to Shakespeare and other classic playwrights has earned it the reputation as the nation’s premier classical theatre company. By focusing on works with profound themes, complex characters and poetic language written by Shakespeare, his contemporaries and the playwrights he influenced, the Company’s artistic mission is unique among theatre companies: to present theatre of scope and size in an imaginative, skillful and accessible American style that honors the playwrights’ language and intentions while viewing their work through a 21st-century lens.
A leader in arts education, STC has a stable of initiatives that teach and excite learners of all ages, from school programs and acting classes to discussion series as well as accessible programs like the annual Free For All, one of STC’s most beloved annual traditions, allowing audiences to experience Shakespeare at no charge.
Located in our nation’s capital, STC performs in two theatres, the Lansburgh Theatre and Sidney Harman Hall in downtown Washington, D.C., creating a dynamic, cultural hub of activity that showcases STC as well as outstanding local performing arts groups and nationally renowned organizations. STC moved into the 451-seat Lansburgh Theatre in March 1992, after six years in residency in the Folger Library’s Elizabethan theatre. At that time the Penn Quarter neighborhood was not considered desirable by many; since then, STC has helped drive its revitalization. The 774-seat Sidney Harman Hall opened in October 2007.
DATES: March 17 - April 26, 2015
LOCATION: Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F Street, NW
TIMES: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays at 7:30 PM, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, Saturdays and Sundays at 2 PM.
• Note: No performances on Tuesday, March 24; Wednesday, April 8; and Thursday, April 16.
TICKETS: $20.00 - $110.00. Premium seating is also available for weekend performances. Special discounts are available for military, students, seniors and patrons aged 35 and under. Contact the Box Office at (202) 547-1122 or visit ShakespeareTheatre.org for more information.
YOUNG PROSE: Every Tuesday at 12 p.m., STC releases an allotment of $20 tickets to patrons ages 35 and younger. $20 tickets are limited to performances through the following Sunday and are available in person at the Box Office and via phone at (202) 547-1122. Advance tickets are available for $25. There is a limit of four tickets per person. ID is always required to pick up Young Prose tickets.
ACCESSIBILITY: Sidney Harman Hall is accessible to persons with disabilities, offering wheelchair-accessible seating and restrooms, audio enhancement and Braille and large print programs.
• An open-captioned performance of Man of La Mancha will be on Thursday, April 2 at 8:00 PM.
• An audio-described performance of Man of La Mancha will be on Saturday, April 11 at 2 PM.
• A sign-interpreted performance of Man of La Mancha will be on Tuesday, April 14 at 7:30 PM.
• Seating in the sign-interpreted and audio description section can be reserved by calling the Box Office.
PARKING: The LAZ garage is located directly beneath Sidney Harman Hall; enter from E or F Streets between 6th and 7th Streets. E Street is the recommended entry because of events at the Verizon Center. When entering, follow signs directing you to 620 F Street. Elevators will take you to the Winter Garden lobby next door to Sidney Harman Hall on F Street.
METRO: Gallery Pl-Chinatown station on the Red/Green/Yellow lines: Use the Arena/7th Street exit. Sidney Harman Hall is visible one block to your left. Judiciary Square station on the Red line: use the F Street exit to the National Building Museum, turn left and walk 1.5 blocks along F Street to 6th Street.
