“Man of La Mancha” opened on Broadway in 1965 and besides four revivals there, it has played at theaters around the world in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. This musical, with the story written by Dale Wasserman, the music by Mitch Lee, and the lyrics by Joe Darion, which is NOT a faithful rendering of the book, “Don Quixote” or of Cervantes’ life, IS one of the most beautiful works of musical theater in the 20th century! It is now on the stage at Montgomery Theater.
Let me begin by saying that though I never saw “Man of La Mancha” on stage, I did know most of the songs. The beautiful melodies and powerful lyrics is reason enough to see this production.
It takes place in Spain during The Inquisition and Miguel de Cervantes, an actor, a playwright, and a tax collector is in a holding place of a prison for foreclosing on a monastery. The other prisoners set up a mock trial, and, in his defense, Cervantes puts on a little fake beard to becomes the character Alonso, an old man who is a bit mad. The others in the holding cell agree to this defense and willingly take on the characters of the manuscript (which he has with him) of Cervantes’ play,
I was a bit confused for a moment until my friend who accompanied me, whispered to me that it was important to suspend my disbelief, as the critic, philosopher poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge espoused in the early 19th century. Once I did, I was immersed in the passionate story of that man of La Mancha and all the other characters’ stories.
Alonzo is a dreamer. He sees things that aren’t there, like the windmill, which he thinks is the enemy and the inn, which he sees as a castle. He renames himself Don Quixote de La Mancha. He even believes the innkeeper is a Lord and insists that he bestow knighthood upon him. But the most powerful story is that of the peasant girl, Aldonza, who is a serving maid at the bar and a part-time prostitute. He calls her Dulcinea, which symbolizes beauty and virtue. She argues with him, but he sees only good in her.
And with him is his trusty squire, Sancho Panza, who supports his knight and doesn’t try to change him.
The supporting actors were all superb, especially Drew Jacobson, Dominic Santos, and Owen Corey who played multiple roles. But it was Emily Rooney’s portrayal of Aldonza that really blew me away. Her acting, her voice, her mere presence on stage was an A plus.
The three-piece band at the back of the stage performed softly and sweetly so you could hear ever word of Wasserman’s script and Darion’s lyrics. And what lyrics they are! Though the story is that of a fantasy of a crazed man, there is so much to listen to. Some of my favorites were “It’s All the Same, Dulcinea, I’m Only Thinking of Him, I Really Like Him, Little Bird, Knight of the Woeful Countenance” – wait, I am naming almost all the great songs! But I would be remiss if I didn’t mention “The Impossible Dream.”
Sadly, the one aspect of the play that I found weak was in the portrayal of Don Quixote. I told my friend at the intermission that the guy playing that part just didn’t convince me that he was delusional or that he loved Aldonza. He stood out being rather flat amongst the talented cast. And then my friend told me that the guy playing Don Quixote was a woman! Yikes!! Could a woman play the part? V. Sterling has played other male roles. I just didn’t feel that Stephen Casey, who directed and choreographed so well, succeeded in creating the complex character of Don Quixote with her. And the portrayal of Sancho Panza (Jordan Hunter Fidalgo), also played by a woman, would have worked better if she weren’t so much bigger than Don Quixote. I don’t doubt that a woman can portray a man. It just didn’t work in with this production.
Here is a 1000-page novel that deals with idealism and fantasy that was altered and reduced to 2 hours on a bare stage in a musical that will continue to play for a long time. It’s such a great piece of musical theater! And Montgomery Theater has mounted a solid production.
“Man of La Mancha” by Lindsay Joelle, music by Mitch Leigh, lyrics by Joe Darrion at Montgomery Theater, 124 Main Street, Souderton, PA 18964. 215-723-9984 montgomerytheater.org thru May 3, 2026
Philadelphia Theater Reviews by Frank Burd 