Man of La Mancha Cast Announced
Asolo Rep Announces Full Cast for
Man of La Mancha
Written by Dale Wasserman
Music by Mitch Leigh and Lyrics by Joe Darion
Original Production Directed by Albert Marre
Directed by Peter Rothstein
Choreographed by Cat Brindisi
May 10 – June 11
Asolo Repertory Theatre proudly announces the cast and creative team for the final show in its 64th season, MAN OF LA MANCHA. Peter Rothstein returns to direct this reimagined musical which was written by Dale Wasserman, with music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion. MAN OF LA MANCHA begins previews on May 10, opens on May 13, and runs through June 11, in the Mertz Theatre, located in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts.
Considered by many to be one of the best musicals of all time, MAN OF LA MANCHA immerses us in Miguel de Cervantes’ retelling of Don Quixote and his quest. This epic and poignant journey celebrates the perseverance of one man who refuses to relinquish his ideals and who is determined to see life not as it is, but as it ought to be.
The winner of five Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, and featuring a soaring score, including “Man of La Mancha (I, Don Quixote)” and one of theatre’s most beloved songs, “The Impossible Dream,” this classic musical celebrates the power of theatre, the bravery of holding strong to our dreams, and the resilience of imagination.
“MAN OF LA MANCHA is a celebration of the transformative power of storytelling and the transformative power of theater,” says Rothstein. “The central character, Miguel de Cervantes brings hope to a group of people who are hopeless and elevates them from a place of deep despair to a place of radical optimism. I hope our production pays homage to the lasting potency of Cervantes' epic novel and inspires us all ‘to see life not as it is but as it ought to be.’”
Rothstein returns to Asolo Rep after previously directing the highly celebrated productions of Ragtime and Sweeney Todd. He works extensively throughout the country as a director of theatre, musical theatre, opera and new work and is the Founding Artistic Director of Theater Latté Da, a Minneapolis-based company dedicated to adventurous music-theatre. Rothstein was recently announced as Asolo Rep’s incoming Producing Artistic Director when current Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards steps down at the end of June.
“I've always loved this show,” adds Edwards. “It is one of the most beloved American musicals in the world, not just for its signature song, but for its insistence on the transformative power of imagination and theatre itself.”
MAN OF LA MANCHA’s creative team includes Scenic Designer Michael Hoover, Costume Designer Fabian Fidel Aguilar, Lighting Designer Marcus Dilliard, Sound Designer Justin Stasiw, Projection Designer Greg Emetaz, Music Direction and Additional Arrangements Jenny Kim-Godfrey, Hair/Wig & Make-Up Designer Michelle Hart and Puppet Designer Frank J. Paul.
Leading the cast of MAN OF LA MANCHA is Mauricio Martínez as Miguel de Cervantes/Don Quixote, Aaron De Jesus as Sancho and Janely Rodriguez as Aldonza, all making their Asolo Rep debut. Martínez is a Mexican Emmy-winning actor and recording artist who was most recently seen on Broadway in On Your Feet!. His television work includes Señora Acero (Telemundo), over 10 telenovelas with Televisa (Univision), Kennedy Center Honors and Gershwin Prize (PBS). De Jesus has a wide range of theatre credits most recently completing a 10-year run with Jersey Boys where he played Frankie Valli. Rodriguez is a native of Miami, FL and has worked with a wide range of theatre companies in the Twin Cities area including Children’s Theatre Company, Theatre Latté Da, Ten Thousand Things Theater Company and Artistry Theater.
The cast also features Reese Britts (Anselmo/The Barber), Sydney Chow (Antonia/Fermina), Javier Ignacio (Pedro), C. Mingo Long (The Governor/The Innkeeper), Brian Kim McCormick (Paco/The Padre), Cathy Newman (Maria/The Housekeeper), Rodolfo Nieto (The Duke/Jose/Dr. Carrasco) and Edward Staudenmayer (The Captain/Tenorio).
Additional cast includes Peter S. Raimondo (The Custodian/Juan), Sydney Story (Summoned Person) and Jerald Wheat (The Guard).
The understudies are Bevin Bell-Hall, Christian Douglass, Pedro Ka’Awaloa, Celena Vera Morgan and Robert Quiles.
MAN OF LA MANCHA contains mature content and sexual situations.
MAN OF LA MANCHA runs May 10 – June 11. Previews are May 10-12. Visit asolorep.org for a full performance schedule. Orchestra and Mezzanine seats start at $75 and Balcony seats start at $35. Tickets are available now in person at Asolo Rep's Box Office at 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, by phone at 941.351.8000 or 800.361.8388, or online at asolorep.org.
CAST
(in alphabetical order)
Reese Britts*………………..………………..………Anselmo/The Barber
Sydney Chow*.…………..……………………………..…Antonia/Fermina
Aaron De Jesus*……..……….…….…………………………….…Sancho
Javier Ignacio*................................................................................Pedro
C. Mingo Long*…………..…………...……..The Governor/The Innkeeper
Mauricio Martinez*...............................Miguel de Cervantes/Don Quixote
Brian Kim McCormick*.....................................................Paco/The Padre
Cathy Newman*………….…………………………Maria/The Housekeeper
Rodolfo Nieto*……….…….……………………The Duke/Jose/Dr. Carrasco
Peter S. Raimondo………….……..………….…………The Custodian/Juan
Janely Rodriguez*……………..………………….……...…………….Aldonza
Edward Staudenmayer*………………….………...…….The Captain/Tenorio
Sydney Story…………………………………………..……Summoned Person
Jerald Wheat…………………...……..………………..……………..The Guard
*****
Bevin Bell-Hall, Christian Douglass, Pedro Ka’Awaloa,
Celena Vera Morgan, Robert Quiles………………...…...Understudies
*****
Nia Sciarretta*…………….……Production Stage Manager
Jynelly Rosario*……..................…Assistant Stage Manager
*Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
SELECT CREATIVE TEAM
Director...................................................................................Peter Rothstein
Choreographer..……………………………………………………...Cat Brindisi
Scenic Designer…..……………………......………………….. Michael Hoover
Costume Designer..……………………..…………………Fabian Fidel Aguilar
Lighting Designer……...………………..………………...………Marcus Dilliard
Sound Designer………………………………….………...….…….Justin Stasiw
Projection Designer……………………….………………………...Greg Emetaz
Music Direction and Additional Arrangements……………Jenny Kim-Godfrey
Hair/Wig & Make-Up Designer……….…………………………....Michelle Hart
Puppet Design……………………………………………………….Frank J. Paul
ENHANCED EXPERIENCES
Tuesday Talkbacks (FREE)
May 16 & 23
Attendees can enhance their experience with this post-show discussion.
PlayDate
Saturdays, June 3 and 10, 2 p.m.
These show-based workshops for young people offer a childcare option for adults attending a mainstage performance.
OUT@AsoloRep
Wednesday, May 17
Pre-show reception
For subscription and ticket information, contact the box office.
OUT@AsoloRep is Sarasota’s premier cultural event connecting local LGBTQIA+ communities with fantastic theatre.
OUT@AsoloRep is sponsored by Empath Tidewell Foundation, CAN Community Health, Morton’s Gourmet Market & Catering and Project Pride.
*All activities are subject to change or modification based on CDC recommendations.
SPONSORS
Asolo Rep is able to present MAN OF LA MANCHA because of the generosity of its sponsors. The corporate sponsors for MAN OF LA MANCHA are ABC7, Scene Magazine, Residence Inn by Marriott, Michael’s on East and Asolo Rep’s Artistic Excellence Society.
Asolo Rep’s 2022-23 Major Season Sponsors are Florida State University, the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation, Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Community Foundation of Sarasota County, the Huisking Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, the Koski Family Foundation, Designing Women Boutique/Groundworks and The Exchange. Asolo Rep is also sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts. Asolo Rep’s artistic programs are paid for in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax revenues.