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TheatreAtTheCenter.com

" Great Shows from Year to Year, with Top Talent and a Short ride from Home too....plus free parking."
Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc.

James Harms (“Don Quixote”) with Gold Helmut being assisted by
Oak Park actor Joe Tokarz ("Padre")
Photo by Johnny Knight
"A Fantastic Show with Some All Time Great Songs and Wonderful Acting...plus a local fellow" Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc

Theatre at the Center
Presents
Man of La Mancha
Book by Dale Wasserman
Lyrics by Joe Darion
Music by Mitch Leigh
review by Ed Vincent

There is a talented Oak Park actor in this Broadway hit
from years ago, Mr. Joe Tokarz, who many may remember
from his fine work at our own Village Players theater. In
this role Joe gets to use his humor and singing talents to give
empathy and smiles to his portrayal of a priest.

James Harms, a well known and admired actor at many of
the productions at the Theatre at the Center plays the role
of Don Quixote. Mr. Harms is a treasure in the roles we have
had the pleasure to see, and in this leading role he is a champion. Richard Kiley the well known performer of this
role in 1965 on Broadway (born in Chicago) would be pleased with the great job James Harms has done bringing this wonderful character to life again with charm and talent. I
saw this performance last at the Candle Light Theater in Summit, Illinois some 40 years ago and have loved the production since. This show is not too common to the stage, but has had revivals in the past few years, and this production
is near the top of any list.

David Perkovich, as “Sancho Panza", the squire and confidant
of the glorious Knight balances out the vocal strength of Harms with his own perfectly fitted voice of admiration and service.
The two are a pair performing together with remarkable fun
and mental adventures.

Ericka Mac plays the sexy enchantress “Aldonza", but
for me and thousands over she shall always be "Dulcinea".
Mac is attractive, visually temping, and talented in her
transitions of character and song. Her bawdy dancing
and emotive performance are near the center of the play.

The sets and lighting are nice, as is the dancing and sound.
The entire cast is required to perform both costume and character changes at the flash of a light and change of a
scene-all done well. You can also get the original 1965
Broadway production on iTunes. I enjoyed the performance
very much and recommend it strongly.

The idealism of the drama mixed with harshness of reality
smells as true today as any time in the past, but get your tickets soon before this show is history.

Ericka Mac stars as “Aldonza” with the male ensemble in Man of La Mancha at Theatre at the Center
Photo by Johnny Knight

James Harms (“Don Quixote”) and David Perkovich (“Sancho Panza”) star in Man of La Mancha
Photo by Johnny Knight

Theatre at the Center
Presents
A Timeless Story of Romance and Adventure
Man of La Mancha
Book by Dale Wasserman
Lyrics by Joe Darion
Music by Mitch Leigh

Munster, Indiana – Theatre at the Center will present the musical masterpiece, Man of La Mancha from September 10 through October 11
at 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana. Man of La Mancha, the winner of five Tony awards including Best Musical, will be directed by multi Jeff Award winner William Pullinsi and star James Harms as “Don Quixote”.

The epic story of knight-errant Don Quixote, his servant Sancho, and the woman of his dreams comes to life in this breathtaking production. Set in the time of the Spanish Inquisition, the tale tells of a knight who embarks on a romantic and noble journey to win the heart of a good woman and to capture “The Impossible Dream”. Based on Miguel de Cervantes’ classic book Don Quixote, Man of La Mancha has been deemed one of the all-time great musicals of the American stage.

Both inspiring and thought provoking, Man of La Mancha will warm the heart of everyone whose spirits were ever raised by the prospect of victory by an underdog against all odds. The score is considered a classic and contains one of the most moving moments in musical theatre history as
Don Quixote relates his personal credo in "The Impossible Dream".

Man of La Mancha originally played for 2,328 performances in New York at the ANTA Washington Square Theatre and on Broadway at the Martin Beck, Eden and Mark Hellinger Theatres starring Richard Kiley and Joan Diener. Kiley and Diener repeated the success at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre in 1972, and the show has since been revived on Broadway several times. The show played for 253 performances in London at the Piccadilly Theatre.

In addition to James Harms starring as “Cervantes/Don Quixote”, the cast of Man of La Mancha features David Perkovich as “Sancho Panza”, Erika Mac as “Aldonza/Dulcinea”, Dennis Kelly as “Governor/Innkeeper”, Larry Adams as “Duke/Dr. Carrasco”, Audrey Billings as “Antonia/Fermina”, Ann McMann as “Maria/Housekeeper”, Joe Tokarz as “The Padre”, and as “the Muleteers” Zach Zube, Scott Stratton, Phil Higgins, Peter Durkin, Patrick Tierney and Peter Vamvakas.

Stacey Flaster choreographs, and Musical Director is Bill Underwood.
The Design Team features Scenic Designer Ann Davis, Costume DesignerBrenda Winstead, Lighting Designer Denise Karczewski, Wig
and Makeup Designer Kevin Barthel, Props Designer Libby Fandrei and Sound Designer Matt Meier. The Stage Manager is Rita Vreeland. Production Manager is Chuck Gessert and Technical Director is Ann Davis.

Founded in 1991, Theatre at the Center is a year-round professional theater at its home, The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana. Theatre at the Center is conveniently located off I-80/94, just 35 minutes from downtown Chicago.

Performances are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. ($36.00); Fridays at 8:00 p.m. ($40.00); Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. ($40.00); Sundays
at 2:30 p.m. ($40.00) and select Thursdays at 7:30, and Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. To purchase individual tickets, call the box office at 219.836.3255 orTickets.com at 800.511.1552. For groups of 20 or more, call 219.836.3258. Gift certificates, perfect for all special occasions, are also available by calling the Theatre at the Center box office at 219.836.3255. For more information on Theatre at the Center, visit www.TheatreAtTheCenter.com.