Man of LaMancha -Iberia Performing Arts League

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.