BSM in 'Man of La Mancha'

If I remember correctly, the show just kind of fell flat. I really enjoyed the production, but it really didn't have much of a spark to it. BSM was INCREDIBLE, I recall his "Impossible Dream" earning the longest applause I've heard in a theater to date, and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio was also very good as Aldonza/Dulcinea. There was only one set, but it changed to fit the scene. There's just only so much you can do with that show, I guess, and it didn't really find its audience.

I think that the shadow effect I often hear about is an amazing visual. I wish I could have seen that.

(the one I am referring to is the one where BSM's shadow is of a knight on a horse)

Here's what I wrote about the revival in an earlier thread:

It ran for nine months from December 2002 to August 2003, and was not at all successful -- in fact, it lost its entire investment.

The set was this ultra modern massive modular functional thing that was completely inappropriate for the show -- it looked like it cost millions (the set for the original was a minimalist concept) and had pieces that would shift to reveal flowers or trees, etc... to suggest different landscapes over the course of Quixote and Panza's journey. But it failed to create an integrated atmosphere that could set the stage and enrich the overall storytelling of the piece -- in other words it was a great big waste of money.

Mitchell sang quite well, but I found his characterization of Quixote as an almost comically dottering old man to be wrongeheaded and undermined his performance (he seemed to be doing an impression of Tim Conway's little old man character from the Carol Burnett Show, which, I'm sorry, is just NOT the character).

Richard Kiley who created the role (and won every award in sight), played it some 5000 times in his career and IMO still owns it completely, not only sang remarkably (with more passion and pathos than Mitchell could ever summon) but he played Quixote as a valiant, but deluded, vainglorious, proud, foolish but always noble man (just as Cervantes had written him). Kiley played the role with such charismatic conviction that it was easy to see how everyone he encountered could get swept up in the man's demented vision and why Panza had left his wife and children to follow a man who was so clearly insane (even to Panza). Kiley brought such a stature and dignity to the part that the final scenes in which Quixote is dying were absolutely heartbreaking. Mitchell was good, but no one else has ever come close to playing the role as well as Kiley.
Man of La Mancha Revival Thread

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Updated On: 1/17/05 at 03:08 PM

I thought BSM was excellent. His Impossible Dream was outstanding. Marin was superb.

Man of La Mancha rarely does well anywhere, even regionally, so it's not a big surprise that it didn't have a long run

As usual, Margo, I agree completely with your assessment.

LA MANCHA seems to be the quintessential "love it or hate it" musical. I'm firmly in the "love it" camp, it's a score that I love every single note of. I'm very partial to that Latin sound. I find the bossa nova beat of "I'm Only Thinking of Him" irresistable. The gorgeous harmonies and flamenco guitar of "Little Bird" send chills up my spine. The bolero that is "The Quest (The Impossible Dream)" is haunting, and hits me right square in the emotional center of my stomach. It's the only show that I have enjoyed every single production (and there are dozens, ranging from high schools to the recent BSM revival) that I have seen.

I really did not like this show when I saw it. Although BSM was an amazing singer, the story was just dumb. I truthfully remember almost falling asleep, and I never sleep in class! The story was absolutely pointless, and the "dancer" scene was too. But I am glad I saw it because I was able to see BSM, and that was worth even seeing la Mancha.

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I really enjoyed the revival. I thought BSM was amazing. He deserved every second of his 5 minute standing ovation after "The Impossible Dream." It had a few flaws that have basically been covered, but I really liked it.

The story was absolutely pointless

Have you ever read Don Quixote?
I would recommend reading Edith Grossman's translation of the novel before you go and dismiss the story as "absolutely pointless"
Cervantes' weaves one of the greatest and most powerful novels ever written in any language.

I have found new elements and meanings to the novel each and every time I re-read it.

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I did not see the revival but saw a very good production at a local university a few months ago. I love the story and really, really enjoy BSM on the cast recording. I can't imagine it with a complicated set, as the simplicity of the set here added to the emotional appeal of the show.

As is often the case, I appreciate your firsthand observations, Margo..

I agree with much of Margo's review. BSM did an amazing job in the singing portions of his role, "Impossible Dream" was amazing and it let me forgive the rest of the production faults. He did play Don Quixote as a doddering old fool, it was a comic characterization of the role.

Mastrantonio did a good job in acting the role. In my opinion, she has an ok voice, but she doesn't have the full, powerful voice needed for the theater, it was weak.

All in all, it was ok, far from wonderful. And "Impossible Dream" was just so good that I can forgive some of it's faults.

Eileen

" That surprises me that you all are saying such good things about Marin's Aldonza...I did not see her in the role but I have heard that she is not too much of an actress...Correct me if I'm wrong..."

You are wrong. In my opinion at least. I happen to believe Marin is an amazing actress and an even more phenomenal singer. However, you obviously are not able to make any kind of opinion because you didn't see her in the role.

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