Muses Project to present ‘Man of La Mancha’
The Muses Project will present the Tony Award-winning musical “Man of La Mancha” June 11-17. Inspired by Miguel de Cervantes’ 17th century novel, “Don Quixote,” this playwithin-a-play musical tale, written by Dale Wasserman and Mitch Leigh, tells the story of an impractical idealist who sets aside the burden of sanity and believes only what he chooses to believe.
Show times
• Monday — Student show, Muses Cultural Arts Center, 428 Orange St., 6 p.m. All artists, students and teachers are admitted for free. Call 501-609-9811 to register.
• June 13 — Murphy Arts District, El Dorado, 7 p.m. Visit http://www.eldomad.com for tickets and information.
• June 14 — Private patron show, Arkansas Arts Center, Little Rock, 7 p.m.
• June 15 — Woodlands Auditorium, Hot Springs Village, 7 p.m.
• June 16 — Muses Cultural Arts Center,
6 p.m.
• June 17 — Muses Cultural Arts Center,
3 p.m.
Over the years, critics have called this powerful and beloved musical “a testament to man’s unquenchable spirit,” utilizing a clever comedic device in which the “sanest characters can’t see the real truth of life, and only the lunatics are truly wise,” a news release said.
The Muses’ troupe of outstanding touring and resident professional performers, vocalists, instrumentalists and young artists will deftly guide audiences through this timeless tale. Accomplished baritone Stacey Murdock, along with newcomer to the Muses, baritone Seth M. Renne, both of Portland, Ore., play Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, respectively. Murdock performs extensively throughout Oregon and the Northwest, appearing in Opera, Oratorio, and musicals, and most recently as Gaston in “Beauty & the Beast,” and in the title role of “Man of La Mancha.” He has performed with the Muses Project in numerous and diverse opera and musical theater productions, from the title role in “Don Giovanni” to Nathan Detroit in “Guys & Dolls.”
Renne will be making his debut with the Muses. He has worked in numerous theater productions in the Portland area, and is a delightful and engaging performer, the release said.
Resident professional mezzo-soprano Roxanna Collingwood plays Quixote’s heroine, Aldonza. Collingwood has a BFA in acting and directing, with minor studies in music, and has been delighting audiences in central Arkansas for the past few years. She is a frequent performer at the Pocket Community Theatre, The Town Cryers Acting Troupe, and was last seen in “The Cigar Box” and the Muses’ “Celtic Spring” production in March.
Baritone/tenor Tanner Oglesby, who plays the part of Padre, is a choir director at Bryant High School, and has been a member of the Muses Young Artist Program since 2016. He recently received his bachelor’s degree from Henderson State University and is completing coursework for his master’s degree from ASU. This is his first principal role with the Muses Project.
Rounding out the lead cast are Alex Boyd and Jeanne Bennett of New York City, Thomas Cooper and Lauren McClendon, of Hot Springs, and Muses artistic director Deleen Davidson. Bennett and Davidson will also serve as the production’s stage and musical directors.
The Muses’ “Man of La Mancha” is two hours, plus intermission, of transcendent storytelling and spellbinding musical performances.
Tickets are $35. Call the Muses at 501-6099811 or visit online at http://www.themusesproject.org for tickets or more information.