Man of La Mancha, the legendary Broadway musical, will be
presented by the Iberia Performing
Arts League in New Iberia
March 8-24. Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings
(7:30) with Sunday Matinees at 3:00.
Performances will be at the Essanee Theater, IPAL’s Art Deco home.
Rating PG. Information can be obtained by calling the theater at 364-6114,
e-mailing ipal@cox.net,
or by visiting the IPAL website www.iberiaperformingartsleague.com.
The production is directed by
Donald Voorhies, and stars Lynn
Derouen (Cervantes/Don Quixote), Vincent P. Barras (Manservant/Sancho Panza),
and Katelyn Stelly (Aldonza/Dulcinea). Additional cast members include Mitchell
Prudhomme (Duke/Dr. Carrasco), Michael Parich (The Padre), Cindy Hebert (The
Housekeeper), Lanie Marcantel and Blythe Bull sharing the role of Antonia (The
Niece), Dawn Borel (Contora), and Will Grubbs (The Innkeeper). Mule Drivers are
Eli Hallmark, Seth Derouen, Mike
Labiche, Phillip Smith, and Kerry
Jackson. Other cast members include Michael Durand, Milton Resweber, Wanda
Price, Rayna Theriot, Jessica Babineaux, Maggie Landry, Teresa Landry, Bo
Belanger, Kerry Jackson, Keri Judice, Sheila Derouen,
Rachelle Myers, Kaylon Khamphilavong, Wendy Parich,
Renee Judice, and Kim Monroe.
Man of La Mancha opened on Broadway in 1965, won 5 Tony Awards and ran
for 2328 performances. Due to its universal appeal, it is the most performed of
all musicals, having been translated into dozens of languages with performances
worldwide. The show features Spanish and Flamenco style music and the noteworthy
anthem “To Dream the Impossible Dream.”
IPAL’s Man of La Mancha lavish production will be accompanied by
a sixteen piece orchestra. According to director, Don “Doc”
Voorhies “Man of La Mancha is simply
a beautiful show. It’s fun, it’s comic, it’s exciting, it’s uplifting and it
ultimately delivers an important and moving message, whether for the upheavals
and storms of the 1960’s or those of today.”
IPAL is working its usual magic and
are expecting to have a great show. In
Voorhies’ production staff are Lynn DeRouen and Helen Hodge, Vocal directors;
Bob Morgan, Musical Director; Mitchell Prudhomme; Assistant Director: Kim
Degeyter, Choreographer; Teresa Landry, Art Director; Frank Sierra,
Prop-Meister, and Mike and Katherine
Caffery, technical directors.
This performance is supported, in
part, by a grant from the Louisiana State Arts Council, through the Louisiana
Divisions of the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. Funding has also
been provided through the Acadiana Center for the Arts, Regions Bank, Regions
Insurance and Iberia Cultural Resources Association.