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"Man of La Mancha" is the rare musical that wins an audience far larger than its original source material, contained in Miguel de Cervantes' 17th-century novel.
A cynic would say that's because more people have time for an evening at the theater (or classic ballet, as Ballet West's "Don Quixote" won critical raves for its February production) as opposed to blinking through a novel ranging to 1,000 pages. A fan would say that the music of Mitch Leigh, lyrics of Joe Darion and story by Dale Wasserman simply make "Man of La Mancha" one of the most enjoyable musicals in the catalog since its 1964 premiere at a Connecticut opera house.
The long story behind this musical is that it's about the historical figure of Cervantes, set in a fictional situation in which he performs in a drama recounting the novel he's writing. The short story, as the cast of Pioneer Theatre Company's upcoming production will tell you, is that the audience can happily dispense with complicated plot summaries and enjoy the musical for all its jovial, big-hearted, achingly true moments.
It's all that, plus a score bursting with full-strength numbers including "The Impossible Dream," produced in this Utah production with a 17-piece orchestra.
As the final production in Chuck Morey's 28-year reign as PTC's artistic director, you might expect him to wax philosophical about its weighty themes of honor to be found in every person, or the redemption waiting at the long road of hard work and dedication. Or, alternately, how the script speaks to the ways memory and love become the designs and patterns of life itself.
It's all there, Morey admits. But this production is special not just because it marks his final stint as theater company director. As Morey pointed out when "Man of La Mancha" was announced as the final installment of this year's season, it represents the first time he has directed the work since the passing of Robert Peterson. The beloved Utah actor made the role a specialty over the course of his 34 years on the PTC stage, including productions under Morey's direction.
"The last thing you want to do is re-create something you did a long time ago with completely different people. In fact, that's a recipe for disaster," Morey said.
Morey cut no corners casting William Michals in the lead. The East Coast actor and singer graced Broadway as Emile de Becque in the Tony Award-winning revival of "South Pacific." He's no stranger to Utah audiences, wielding his golden baritone in Broadway musical reviews several times with the Utah Symphony, and leading national orchestras at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and Lincoln Center.
"It's a fun, terrific monster of a role," Michals said. "It feels like the first time I've played this role, even if I got my [Actors'] Equity card playing it 20 years ago."
Along with Frank Sinatra's rendition of "My Way," "The Impossible Dream" sits atop the pantheon of anthems celebrating hope's defiance atop the heaping embers of life's dangers, and considered the show's centerpiece. The task of wrapping three characters into one role — folding Alonso Quijana and Cervantes himself into Don Quixote — is the narrative structure buttressing not just that number, but the entire work.
Aldonza, played by Maria Eberline, is a character moving through a similar path of multiple identity, if only because Don Quixote confuses her for lady Dulcinea. But where Don Quixote moves between real and fantasy worlds, Aldonza swings between personal wounds that hold her to a life of misery and the promise of Don Quixote's respect.
"It's a contest between the devil you know beating the devil you don't know at all," Eberline said. "I adore this character because, in the end, she's inspired."
With "Man of La Mancha" the whole is, in the end, greater than the sum of its parts. Even when the knight-errant takes center stage, there's also Sancho Panza, played by Daniel Marcus, three raucous fight scenes, and belly laughs everywhere.
"When a great piece of theater comes together with a great script and great director, you have to see it for what it is," Michals said. "It's magic; a great blessing, and that's how I feel about this production."
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To dream the impossible dream
Pioneer Theatre Company presents "Man of La Mancha."
When • May 4-19. Mondays-Thursdays, 7:30 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Saturday matinees, 2 p.m.
Where • Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre, 300 S. 1400 East, Salt Lake City
Info • $36-$57. Call 801-581-6961 or visit http://www.pioneertheatre.org for more information.