Casting set in 'Man of La Mancha'

LONG BEACH - Oliver Award-winning actress Lesli Margherita has been cast to star in "Man of La Mancha," opening Feb. 10 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach.Margherita won London's Olivier Award for her performance in the West End production of "Zorro." Davis Gaines will play the role of Don Quixote. Gaines performed the title role in Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera" more than 2,000 times during his run on Broadway, in Los Angeles and in San Francisco. "Man of La Mancha," one of the all-time great musicals, opened on Broadway in 1965 and takes place during the height of the Spanish Inquisition. While awaiting a hearing with the Inquisition, Miguel de Cervantes presents a play as his defense in a mock trial for the prisoners. In it, he plays Alonso Quijana, a man who has set his own reality aside and become Don Quixote De La Mancha. Assisted by Sancho Panza, Quixote attempts to avoid his mortal enemy, the Enchanter, and woo the serving wench and prostitute, Aldonza, who he takes to be the lady Dulcinea. Tickets to see "Man of La Mancha" start at $20 and can be purchased online at musical.org or by calling (562) 856-1999, ext. 4.

********** Published: January 5, 2012 - Volume 10 - Issue 38