Most tour spaces arent prepared to hand the fifteen tons of metal that was used in the set in the revival, so no, it's not.
I actually saw the designs for the touring production when the set was being built at Virginis Scenic. They're pretty awful: a bunch of mock-Gothic curves that dont really speak to much of anything.
so i would just like to inform some of you folks about this Man of La Mancha tour...i am part of the cast, and have to tell you...the show is actually very good....and trust me, i would tell you if something was bad....and for those of you with questions about our schedule, set, and all that....first, we are doing week and split week sit downs...as for the set...it is amazing...it is based on actual pic's and knowledge of how prisons actually looked in era in which the show takes place...it is meant to bring the audience into a more intimate space with the actors, and does a wonderful job at this...so for mr. sean martin, please look at your own sets and criticize before looking at others work, and saying things about them in which you know nothing about...as for our director...his name is sam viveritto....he has an extensive resume, and has done a wonderful job with the show...as for stars...no, we don't have any stars, and we don't need any...why is there this conception that you have to have a star to have a successful show...that's crap...i am sure many of you reading this are not stars, and work just as much, and are just as talented...so why worry about who is staring in it...if you have any other questions...feel free to ask...i just thought i would give you all an idea of what is going on with this show...
In response to Mr. Martin's lackluster assesment of the set for the current tour of "Man of LaMancha" I would argue that his opinions are based on the biases of his own designs for the show. After accessing his website I understand that his opinions also are totally contradictory to the intent of the theatrical form of the play- as are his designs. Mr. Martin attempts to bring the audience out of the "play- within- a - play" mode into to the world of stunning realistic visual effect. This is where he fails to understand the material as well as the authors obvious attempt to use that thing that is so seldom called upon in the current theatrical landscape-IMAGINATION! The current production uses what I deem brilliant lighting and vivid storytelling on the part of the talented ensemble to transport the audience in a way I have seldom seen with this show. The nightly tumultous ovations have seconded this writers humble opinion!
>> so for mr. sean martin, please look at your own sets and criticize before looking at others work, and saying things about them in which you know nothing about
Mike: Sorry, I stand by my opinion. The set is about as "amazing" as the nonstop gushes for WICKED in these threads. And the very reason it fails is in Leon's post: it draws so much attention to itself that there is no room for the audience to fill in the blanks.
Leon: Insofar as my own design for it, bear in mind that a designer's work does not spring wholecloth from his own mind. It is created in tandem with the director, the choreographer, the lighting designer, and the costumer. What *these* people need to pull off *their* vision of the production is the service I offer, because my theory of good set design is a work that can be noted for the first thirty seconds of the production, then forgotten so you can concentrate on the actors, which you should be doing. FWIW, when I was first approached to do this, I wanted virtually no scenery on the stage, just lights, for the very reason you state about getting the audience to use their own imagination. The director shot it down, which is his right. I gather you have no real working knowledge of how a production team assembles the physical production if you seriously believe I have that much sway over the guy who pushes the actors into position.
Mr. Martin, I have a question, have you seen the set in person? It seems from what you've said that you've seen pieces or just a design and I don't understand how you can comment on it without seeing the production.
Cast members, Thank you for writing on the board, how has the audience reaction been? I'm really excited to see this.
to mr. martin....i can respect your opinion of the set...if you did not have a personal bias against it from the beginning...if you could see the set in it's use...i have a feeling you ideas might be changed...the best part of it is the simplicity with which it intertwines the reality of the show, and the world that cervantes creates for the prisoners and his defense...it truly helps to bring out the real meaning and understanding of what the show is about...and by no means is that message a spectacle or glitz and glamour...and i am sorry, but i find it hard to believe that our set designer, a tony nominated designer, would put anything up that was not worthy of that honor...and as for leon's comment...there was tremendous colaboration between the director and the designer...especially being that they have worked on many things together, and would not have a finished product without the others ideas and help....
for those of you wondering about the show....you can go to phoenix entertainment touring site...type in man of la mancha tour, and you should find the site...there is a commerical for the show...so hopefully it wets your taste buds, and you come and see us...
"It does what a musical is supposed to do; it takes you to another world. And it gives you a little tune to carry in your head. Something to take you away from the dreary horrors of the real world. A little something for when you're feeling blue. You know?"
I just saw this production in the Chicago area,and I was most pleasantly surprised. It IS a non-equity show, but the cast was very good. I've seen shows on Broadway that did worse (the current cast of High Fidelity comes to mind as a "WTF are they doing on Broadway??" moment). Steve McCoy is still playing Cervantes, and he does a great job... his voice is excellent, his acting is at least servicablema nde often stirring. Tess Rohan plays Aldonza with great passion. Her singing is good, at times very good, tho she shows a couple of thin spots in her range. I have to admit the Sancho (Michael Barra) was a weakness IMO, but he got a rousing applause. Speaking of applause, there was a standing ovation in the theater. Granted,lots of the folks in this city (Waukegan) don't get into Chicago much to see theater, but I recognized several from nearby towns who regularly go to the Broadway and other plays in Chicago,and they seemed happy too. Oh, and as to the controversy above about the set:I liked the set, I thought it was appealing and effective, suggesting the dungeon and also framing the action very well (along with very effective lighting) I thought it worked. And as I left at the intermission and the end, overheard several audience members remarking on how much they liked the set. You could say they really DID go out whistling the set, contrary to the old maxim.
So go, by all means, and be confident that you will see a skilled, heartfelt production that hits all the right emotional high points.
hello again- from the road it is interesting to note that the ONE constant thing in all the hundreds of reviews from across the country has been unqualified praise for the SET! go figure
I have to admit that the set in the promotional video is less overdone then the recent Broadway Revival set. I thought the revial design lent itself more to spectical which the show itself doesn't require. When Dr Carasco enters as Knight of the Mirrors HE should not appear dwarfted by a Big heavy rusty metal set. Nothing is more stirring then the gangplank staircase which was used in the original production. My main objection to both shows is why is Don Quxiote wearing a conquistadore style helmet? Those were in ready use during Cervantes' time and were in fact used by the Inquisition. I believe the Vaitcan still uses them today on the Vatican Guard.
Those Blocked: SueStorm. N2N Nate. Good riddence to stupid! Rad-Z, shill begone!
