Dream the impossible dream at ‘Man of La Mancha’

The Colonnade Players will present “Man of La Mancha” in six performances beginning Friday, July 19, at The Colonnade in Ringgold, Georgia.

“Man of LaMancha” is the classic musical and play-within-a-play based on the story of Don Quixote.

As the show begins, failed author-soldier-actor and tax collector Miguel de Cervantes and his manservant have been thrown into a dungeon by the Spanish Inquisition. They have been charged with foreclosing on a monastery.

Their fellow prisoners attack them, eager to steal the contents of the large trunk Cervantes has brought with him. However, a sympathetic criminal known as The Governor suggests setting up a mock trial instead. Only if Cervantes is found guilty will he have to hand over his possessions.

A cynical prisoner, known as The Duke, charges Cervantes with being an idealist and a bad poet. Cervantes pleads guilty, but then asks if he may offer a defense in the form of a play, acted out by him and all the prisoners. The Governor agrees.

So Cervantes and his manservant put on makeup and costumes, transforming themselves into Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.

They then proceed to play out the story with the prisoners taking on the roles of other characters. The pair takes to the road in a comical adventure to restore the age of chivalry, battle all evil and right all wrongs.

The musical is known for its show-stopping number “The Impossible Dream.”

Jake Wallin plays Cervantes/Don Quixote and Ed Huckabee is his sidekick Sancho. Anna Marie Brendel is cast as Aldonza, the serving girl whom Quixote declares to be his lady.

Steve Jordan plays The Governor, Andrew Boone is The Duke and Mark Williams plays the padre.

The ensemble of prisoners includes Greg Jackson, Gage Goza, Jason Worthington, Sean Teal Jr., Caleb Smith, Alex Walker, Eric Jackson, Tyler Vaughn and Austin Massey.

For more information: 706-935-9000.