"Man of La Mancha" Candlelight Pavilion's 'Possible Dream'

---Theatre Review

Ben D. Bollinger´s Candlelight Pavilion in Claremont is known for it fine dining and exceptional musical theatre productions. Their current offering is the ever-popular, exhilarating and uplifting "Man of La Mancha," with its stirring title song, haunting "Dulcinea," and unforgettable "The Impossible Dream"

Originally written by Dale Wasserman (based on Cervantes´ book) with music and lyrics by Mitch Leigh and Joe Darion, this production is directed by George Strattan. John La Londe, the current Artistic Director of the Candlelight Pavilion, stars as Quixote.

The show is a play-within-a-play, its setting a dungeon, its players the thieves, murders and prisoners of the Spanish Inquisition.

As Miguel Cervantes (John LaLonde) and his servant (Tony Pinizzotto) descend a heavy chain-hoisted staircase into a gloomy prison, the inhabitants wake and attack them. His heavy trunk is flung open and pillaged, clothing passed to greedy hands, his treasured manuscript – the unfinished Don Quixote – dangled over the fire pit, its pages a perfect fuel for the flames.

Cervantes pleads that it be spared. When questioned by "the Governor" (Jim Brown), he proposes an entertainment in exchange. When most agree – after all, what other "amusement" do they have while awaiting execution – he begins his tale.

As Santos passes around costumes and props, Cervantes sits before an ancient makeup case, applies the greasepaint that turns him into an old man, adds the familiar pointed beard and mustaches, then pulls his hair into a madman´s do. Jumping to his feet he announces his creation, "I am I, Don Quixote, the Lord of La Mancha…"

This rousing number by the Knight and his Squire soon has the audience sitting tall and singing along. Whitney Ackerman and Frankie Marrone are magnificent as the "horses" and steal the scene with their rearing, prancing, and galloping legs. Kudos to choreographer, Orlando Alexander!

As the story of the Knight Errant progresses, the dungeon subtly becomes an inn (or a castle in Quixote´s eyes), with an obliging innkeeper (Jim Brown, whose voice can be both chatty and deeply impressive, as in the Dubbing number), a gang of rowdy muleteers, and one abused and bitter strumpet Aldonza (Jackie Lorenzo Cox).

Quixote´s lofty assessment of Aldonza never wavers despite her derision and vile revelations. As he persists in seeing her as pure and noble, she begins to believe him. "Dulcinea" is an achingly beautiful love song and LaLonde´s rich voice and compassionate delivery does it more than justice. Francisco Rodriguez´s "To Each His Dulcinea" like a sweet echo is equally moving.

Rodriguez plays The Padre, and as such must listen to the "confessions" of Alonzo Quijana´s family as they fret over his current quixotic madness. In a round of woes and wails, The Padre, Antonia (Joanna Holliman) and The Housekeeper (Sylvia Lavoie Miller) proclaim virtuously "I´m Only Thinking of Him."

Later, as Cervantes steps out of character to "block" the scene, he places these three, plus the daunting son-in-law-to-be, Dr Carrasco (Christopher Van Etten) as pieces on a chessboard: bishop, queen, castle and knight. In a subtle but clever piece of choreography, as the four reprise their pious concerns about Quixote, their movements duplicate that of their chess pieces, straight, diagonal, L-shaped.

Meanwhile, in "I Really Like Him," Sancho explains to Aldonza why he stays with his cuckoo master. Later, when a barber comes to the inn, Quixote mistakes his bowl for a magical helmet in "Golden Helmet of Mambrino." Again Alexander´s choreography is a joy to watch.

Duty demands a vigil and Quixote prepares himself. When Aldonza questions his motives, he describes his glorious quest in, "The Impossible Dream." When the number ends, the audience goes wild. La Londe is utterly convincing as the feeble Quixote, but he cannot mask his astonishingly powerful voice. Bravo!

All that is left is the battle, and the old knight comports himself valiantly, conquering his enemies on every side. So what if most of his conquests are flukes. It´s a wonderfully entertaining scene, good for laughs and hoorahs. Oh, that one might leave the play at the end of this first act. But alas, the story is but half told.

In a delightful scene that opens the second act, the good innkeeper – in his nightshirt no less – performs the royal act of dubbing Quixote "Knight of the Woeful Countenance." But after the fun and frivolity, Aldonza faces her darkest hour.

Her abduction and rape are choreographed in brutal realism. Almost gratefully do we greet the change of scene, as the inn becomes a dungeon again. The heavy staircase is lowered, hooded executioners cast about for the condemned, and he is dragged off.

Cervantes´ play resumes with the bitter and beaten Aldonza ruing the day she was born, quickly followed by a harrowing scene in which a foolish old man is confronted by his own frailty. As Quixote comes to terms with "life as it is" he crumples, defeated. The harshness of this scene, as well as the flashing mirrors is hard to watch.

A tragic end indeed if Cervantes´ judges did not urge him to "finish the play." And so, in the short time he has left, the poet "improvises" a heart-wrenching but triumphant conclusion. Afterwards, he ascends the stairs, turning once with to smile furtively (and possibly to wink) at his captive audience, and states, "I have no intention of burning." And we, his other audience, believe him and stand with the inmates in ovation.

"Man of La Mancha" is a not-to-be-missed production. When combined with the excellent waiter-served dinner or brunch in the opulent "candle-lit" dining room, it´s a theatre experience that won´t be soon forgotten.

Performances run Thursday – Sunday evenings (plus weekend matinees) through November 15, 2009. Prices for adults range from $48 - $75 depending on days and seating preferences. The ticket price includes both the dinner entrée and the show. Call the box office for specific times and prices – (909) 626-3296 or visit www.thecpdt.com

The Candlelight Pavilion is located at 455 W. Foothill Blvd., Claremont, CA 91711.