The classic tale of “Don Quote” comes to life in Smothers Theatre
By Kristin Ow
Staff writer
Chasing windmills is not common. Some might even call it crazy, but Don Quixote, the lead character in “Man of La Mancha” finds this is a part of his escape from his imprisonment during the Spanish Inquisition.
Don Quixote’s story comes alive in Pepperdine’s production of the classic musical, opening tonight in Smothers Theatre.
In “Man of La Mancha,” the author of “Don Quixote,” Miguel de Cervantes, must defend his story of Don Quixote and his trusted companion, Sancho-Panza, to a group of prisoners during the Spanish Inquisition. Don Quixote’s story of his quest for glory and pursuit of his adored Aldonza serves to both entertain the prisoners and share great truths of the human spirit.
Through his trials and tribulations, Don Quixote reveals the “Impossible Dream” to man. He shows how love, truth, honor and justice can all be possible in life.
“ ‘Man of La Mancha’ is a good story for our time,” musical director Chris Stivers said. “The main character talks about the importance of not seeing life as it is but seeing life as it ought to be. (It shows) the importance of lofty goals and aspirations that seem out of our grasp.”
“Man of La Mancha” was written by Dale Wasserman, Milton Leigh and Joe Darion. It was the 1966 winner of the New York Drama Critics Award for Best Musical.
Senior Joseph Obermueller will play the lead role of Don Quixote.
“The challenge is that the role of Don Quixote actually involves two other roles: Don Miguel de Cervantes and Alsonso Quijana,” Obermueller said. “The show switches between these three characters.”
Some of Obermueller’s past productions at Pepperdine include “After the Fall,” “The Matchmaker” and “Much Ado About Nothing.”
Obermueller said he is enthusiastic about this performance.
“This musical is unique in that it really has a powerful message,” Obermueller said. “Musicals have the reputation of being purely frill and fluff, but this musical has potent themes that we really enjoy portraying.”
Stivers has helped the students to develop their characters.
“The music tells the story,” Stivers said. “Music is important to propel the story and create a mood.”
The music is a constant companion to the vocalists and actors throughout the musical and helps the audience to prepare for changes.
“The story is about a man put in prison who tells a story of a man who has delusions of who he is,” Stivers said. “In a way, the music creates an identity for each level and helps the audience to recognize the level of the story.”
Stivers said he believes this cast has done an incredible job working together to prepare.
“The cast members have been responsible and at times over prepared,” Stivers said. “Because of their hard work, they are ahead of schedule.”
Senior Miguel Villahermosa has had extensive experience in Pepperdine’s “Evita,” “Die Fledermaus,” “West Side Story” and “The Magic Flute.”
He notes that one of the greatest challenges has not entirely been what is going on in the spotlight.
“A great challenge has been in creating an atmosphere in the background,” Villahermosa said. “Characters in the background must constantly react to one another to create a full and rich picture. The music is beautiful and inspiring. It will be a great experience for whoever attends.”
Senior Jim Albarano is excited about this musical as well. He has worked up from assistant stage manager his freshman year to stage manager for this performance. This is his first musical, and he says it has been a learn-as-you-go experience.
“The main difference of a musical compared to a play is size,” Albarano said. “As an example, the normal production team of two has grown to 10 people for this production.”
He said he believes that there is more of a “family feel” in musical rehearsals because everyone has to attend and contribute. By opening night, the cast will have rehearsed for nine weeks, five times a week for four hours every rehearsal. They will have endured three dress rehearsals in three consecutive nights before running seven shows. Albarano said he hopes that the cast will have had fun with the experience and have a feeling of accomplishment. He finds that this musical is particularly entertaining and uplifting.
“Just watching the subtle looks on Ben’s (Schmitz, Sancho Panza’s) face keep me laughing throughout the show,” Albarano said.
“Man of La Mancha” has many technical elements that are still being worked out. The set is built in layers and has many different angles. Lighting and sound are being tested, adjusted and retested before the performance. The theater itself is still and quiet now. Sitting in the audience, the set made of soft sand board looks cold and hard. The set was made to enhance the mood of the play, and in a way, the set is a character of its own. Rick Aglietti, the set designer, describes this unit set as a challenge.
“Since the same scene is always involved, the design must be visually stimulating,” Aglietti said.
The set not only had to be aesthetically pleasing but also functional. The plans for the creation of the set began last May.
Since the first day of class, 40 to 50 students, either from work study or the play production class, made the construction possible.
“The construction of the set was a lot of hard work,” Aglietti said.
More than 3,500 blocks of sand board were hand cut, shaped and weathered by students to create the pieces of stone.
“(Production is) collaboration, commitment and creation,” Aglietti said.
All of the elements are falling in place as the students finalize plans, perfect pitch and finish final costume fittings for tonight’s opening performance.
“Man of La Mancha” will run Nov. 7-9 and Nov. 14-16 at 7:30 p.m. in Smothers Theatre. There will be one performance Nov 10 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for the public, $16 for faculty, $6 for students. Call (310) 506-4522 for more details.
November 07, 2002
