Contact: Maridith Geuder
Don Quixote, the fictional Spanish knight-errant who tilts at windmills, joins sidekick Sancho Panza on stage next week at Mississippi State University.
"Man of La Mancha" will be performed Wednesday through Saturday [April 1-4] at the McComas Hall theater. MSU's communication and music education departments are presenting the one-act production, which begins at 7:30 p.m. each day.
Set during the Spanish Inquisition, this enduring play first was performed off-Broadway in 1965, then went on to be Broadway's top hit the following year. Based on "Don Quixote," novelist Miguel de Cervantes's masterpiece 17th century satirical romance, the modern stage version is a mix of music and drama.
General admission tickets are $8; $6 for students and senior citizens. Purchases may be made at the door prior to curtain time or 1-3 p.m., Monday-Friday, at the McComas lobby box office.
"La Mancha" details the loves and foibles of Quixote, who wants to right the world's wrongs, and his befuddled aide and traveling companion. Featured are such popular tunes as "The Impossible Dream," "Little Bird, Little Bird" and "Dulcinea."
Cory M. McKern of Alpharetta, Ga., stars in the title role. Other leading cast members include Jennifer L. Blount of Jackson as "Dulcinea" and Joe C. Evans of Starkville as "Sancho." All seniors, McKern and Evans are music education majors, while Blount [5174 McCoy Dr., 39211] is majoring in communication.
The MSU performance is directed by associate communication professor Nate Bynum, with musical direction by associate music education professor Douglas McConnell. Physical education dance instructor Debbie Funderburk is the choreographer.
Instructor Sue Hinton is costume supervisor, while assistant professor Wayne Durst will direct lighting. Both are communication faculty members.
For more information, telephone (601) 325-3320.