Strong cast gathers for 'Man of La Mancha' production
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01:27 PM PST on Thursday, February 12, 2009
http://www.pe.com/thingst..._S_theater13.242e025.html
Reprise's production of "Man of La Mancha" stars an impossibly dreamy team of actors.
Brent Spiner, known for his role as android Data on "Star Trek: The Next Generation," plays Don Quixote opposite soprano Julia Migenes, best known for fiery roles in such operas as "Carmen."
Lee Wilkoff, the original Seymour in "Little Shop of Horrors," plays Sancho Panza.
"Man of La Mancha" tells a story based on Miguel de Cervantes' early 17th century novel, "Don Quixote," about an elderly Spanish gentleman whose studies of medieval chivalry lead him into a fantasy world of knights and quests. But his delusions inspire the people around him to rise above their oppressions.
Aldonza, Migenes' role, is an abused scullery maid whom Quixote sees as a noble lady. She sang the role for a 1990s CD with Placido Domingo.
"Why I said yes to this is because I recorded it, and I felt that I had to get the thing out of my system!" Migenes said in a phone interview from her home in Los Angeles.
She said she rarely does musicals because of the time commitment and her heavy concert schedule. "Man of La Mancha" is close to home with a limited run. Shortly after it closes, she is headed to France for a series of concerts.
She said Reprise allowed her to transpose keys in her songs, which were written for a mezzo, in order to preserve her opera voice. (Valerie Perri will play Aldonza at matinees.)
"Man of La Mancha was written in the 1960s and addressed the turbulence of its time. Migenes said today's audiences have a gut reaction to the book and score, as they do to "Tosca," one of her operatic roles.
Even though Aldonza sings several major songs, she singled out Spiner's as a favorite.
"Of course, the high point is 'The Unreachable Star.' I stand on stage and watch him sing that, and I am moved to tears."
She described him as a powerful stage actor and a great co-star.
"I look into those blue eyes, and forget it. I don't need to act."
Reach Fielding Buck at 951-368-9551 or fbuck@PE.com
