Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/578278
10 SEPT 30 - OCT 6, 2015 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM The Cape Fear Regional Theatre opened its new season with the classic musical Man of La Mancha. For a theatre, which has spent much of the past few years shaking up the area theatre scene, opening its season with what appeared to be a "safe bet," was a little unpredictable. But Artistic Director Tom Quaintance knew exactly what he was doing. Man of La Mancha not only meets the theatre's tag line of "Great Stories Told Here," it personifies it. In his director's notes, Quaintance explains how the show came to be part of the season. "I had it in my mind that I didn't much like Man of La Mancha. Two members of the Play Selection Committee were lobbying hard for the show. I thought of it as that creaky, old- fashioned musical known for "The Impossible Dream," a song that I only knew growing up as the song Jim Nabors belted out on The Gomer Pyle show. It sort of bored me as a kid." That being said, the passion Kathy Gaines and Lynn Legatski had for the show convinced Quaintaince to take a second look at the script, and in doing so "swept him away" in the story of Don Quixote. At Sunday's matinee, the audience was also swept away with the story of the mad knight. Having read Don Quixote in college, I was familiar with the story, my guest reviewer, Nicki, was not. We both came to the theatre with different ideas about what we thought we would see. We left in complete agreement: Quaintance was smart to listen to his selection committee. New York actors Patrick Oliver Jones, playing Miguel de Cervantes/Don Quixote and Leenya Rideout, playing Aldonza and Dulcinea were on point. Although the show, which is actually a play within a play, started slowly, Jones quickly won the audience over and brought them along on a wild ride, complete with action, chivalry, disappointment, love and courage. I believe the audience was in love with Jones, well before he launched into "The Impossible Dream," which Tom, was far from boring. Rideout's performance as the world-weary, prostitute Aldonza who was transformed though Quixote's vision to the lady Dulcinea was a perfect foil to Jones. As Nicki pointed out — and I agreed, the costuming took away from our ability to truly feel the pain of Aldonza's life. She was too clean, her clothes too pristine. Adding some grit and some dirt would have added to the reality and would have done much to win the audience quicker to her side. But that did not, by any means, keep us from cheering for her transformation. A newcomer to the CFRT stage, Gabriel Rodrigues was a amazing in the role of the Padre and Jose. Rodrigues sense of comedy, as well as tragedy, blended perfectly in his two different, but complementary role. His voice was also stellar. It would greatly enhance the theatre's ensemble if Rodrigues appears in future plays. He was a welcome breath of fresh air, in a predictable cast of CFRT actors. The deadpan delivery of Paul Wilson as the Innkeeper and The Governor brought levity to the play, which is rather dark. Wilson has appeared on Fayetteville stages for more than 30 years, and was responsible for the success of Fiddler on The Roof several years ago. Having been involved with the theatre for a number of years, Nicki and I were both excited to see the development of Freedom Christian School student, Zane Burkhardt. Burkhardt has grown up on the stage performing in the Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Return to the Forbidden Planet and as a Lost Boy in Peter Pan. Burkhardt's performance reminds us that the theatre has long developed the talent of young actors in our community — putting the heart in its role as a community theatre. Man of La Mancha may have been a "safe bet" for opening the season, but it challenged the ensemble to dream the impossible, and we were happy to go on the journey. Man of La Mancha Invites You to Dream the Impossible by JANICE BURTON AND NICKI HART • As a full service dealer we have over 50 trailer units for sale in various sizes, colors and options for any of your hauling needs. • Elite dealer for Forest River Trailers as well as other brands like dump, enclosed, pull behind and many more. 910-424-7660 910-424-7660 We also have tires available for your trailer needs. Est. 2011 www.diamondtrailersales.com • We also have trailer tires available for your trailer needs. Bring in this ad or mention it to receive