Man of La Mancha
Musical runs through Feb. 15 at Limelight Theatre
By Bob Feldheim
How does the Limelight do it? Its current production, the musical "Man of La Mancha" is, in this reviewer's judgment, the most brilliant it's ever staged.
I was privileged to be in the audience opening night, one week ago, and I'd be surprised if word of mouth hasn't already sold out every seat of its scheduled five-week run (through Feb. 15).
And how does our Ancient City do it? How does one account for its incredibly rich lode of superstar-quality talent? The challenges posed by the leading role -- Miguel de Cervantes / Don Quixote, the "mad" Knight of the Woeful Countenance -- are so formidable, skepticism is justified. But wait till you see Lee Weaver. He's unbelievably accomplished, his trained voice and sincerity radiating his passion, with a sensitivity that brings tears and wonderment. Where has he been all these years? Welcome, welcome!
Then, could anyone conceive of a more convincing, cynical, sympathetic temptress-trollop Aldonza / lovely lady Dulcinea than as portrayed by Carrie Thornton? Her singing and pathos -- particularly when she's beaten and raped by the muleteers after she's come to her knight-errant's defense, could tear your heart out.
Patrick Robinson, who Limelight audiences have grown to love for his many superb performances -- in "Raisin In The Sun" and his recent "Classic Patric" cabaret -- delivers once again, with enthusiasm, as Quixote's man-servant/squire Sancho Panza.
In Act 2, the confrontation with a band of gypsies -- who proceed to steal the knight's horse and the squire's donkey, and all their money -- puts the spotlight on Jennifer Dournaux, who we've seen only once before, during Celebrity Cabaret. Her erotic, sensuous dancing, coupled with her beauty and dazzling smile, roused the audience to cheers. We hope Jennifer manages to stay here at least a while longer before Hollywood discovers her.
The cast is huge, and there isn't enough space here to credit them all. But I must tip the hat to Adam Mayo (The Barber / Chief Moor); "Bo" Dennis (Innkeeper); Jessica Imm and Stephanie Trull; and the band of young men and women -- the 'muleteers' -- fellow prisoners who give so much credibility and animation to the Inquisition dungeon.(Sean Sacco, as stage combat instructor, is responsible for the realism of fights where no actor is actually harmed.)
Scenically, this is one tough show to do well, but Limelight manages to come through. Wait till you see how it's solved the horse and donkey challenge, the tilting with the windmill, the dungeon drawbridge, the climactic mirrors.
Kudos, too, to Shelli Long, one of the First Coast's great music directors, at the keyboard, unseen, accompanied by guitar, percussion and flute.
In selecting Richard Curran-Kelly to direct, following his successful "Biloxi Blues," Artistic Director Beth Lambert has made an inspired choice.
In closing, a tribute to Dale Wasserman, who wrote the book for "Man of La Mancha" and the stage version of Ken Kesey's "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest." He passed away just one month ago, at age 94. He had discovered the design for a play he wanted to write ... a tribute to the indomitable spirit of Miguel de Cervantes, the man who was Don Quixote, and his impossible dream. This was his quest, to follow the star, no matter how hopeless, no matter how far.
Hurry, call 825-1164. If there's anything still available, grab it.
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