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Broadway in Bakersfield Sure to Inspire
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Anonymous user Fri Nov 17, 2006 09:25:19 PST
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0 responses 0 comments There’s an extra ounce of magic in Man of La Mancha, the second production from the 2006-2007 Broadway in Bakersfield season presented by Tejon Ranch and Jam Theatricals at Rabobank Theater. Based on The Adventures of Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes, Man of La Mancha is the epic story of knight-errant Don Quixote, his servant Sancho, and the woman of his dreams, the lovely Dulcinea.  The tale – set during the Spanish Inquisition – tells the romantic and noble journey of a man who sets out to right all wrongs and win the heart of a good woman as he duels windmills along the way. The original production played on Broadway from 1965 to 1971 and has continued to captivate audiences around the world. Steve McCoy, who plays Cervantes and Don Quixote in the play, took some time to chat with Bakersfield Life Magazine. Here’s what he had to say.

What attracted you to Man of La Mancha?
I think what attracted me to this play, was the chance to play three different roles in one play. It might sound a little confusing but when you see the show it makes much more sense. The characters are of all different ages and it presented me with a challenge.

Which character do you see more of yourself in?
I would say the first character, Cervantes, probably because he is more my age. But then again there’s a little bit of each character I can identify with.

Where do you pull your inspiration from for this particular role?
I get a lot of my inspiration from the guys over in Iraq and Afghanistan. The play starts out in kind of a prison camp and I think about that a lot. My character has witnessed a lot of horrific things and injustice in the world and still has hope for the future. There’s a great monologue of him saying he’s had friends that have died in his arms and I think it’s very powerful. The play really takes people to another level of spirituality and humanity.

What has been some audience feedback you’ve received from the play?
In the show, there’s a song called “The Impossible Dream,” so many people have said that song has really touched their hearts. Once someone pulled me aside and said their mother was in the hospital dying of cancer and we’ve given up hope and after seeing the show, it restored the family’s strength. It’s comments like those that are truly gratifying to hear.

Why would you say Man of La Mancha would be the perfect show for someone to go to if they have never been to a Broadway production before?
Never in my life have I had a response, and I’ve done a lot of shows, in my career like I do from this one. We’re like rock stars up there. We have people leap to their feet in applause and scream. It just means so much to us and to the audience too. I think this play means a lot, but differently, to everyone. It touches upon the human spirit. This is a story about no matter how bad things seem to you, there’s always hope for the future. It’s not this terribly gloom and doom production. There’s comedy too. It’s just such a wonderful play and has stood the test of time.  I just love it and I find something new in it every time I’ve done it.
What was your first introduction to Broadway?
I’m from Boston and my Mom was a single parent and I can remember she recognized very early on that I enjoyed music and theater. We were kind of strapped financially and I can remember her saving money and finally took me into the city, Boston, to see a pre-Broadway tryout for a show called “Hell’s A Poppin” with Jerry Lewis Lin. It never made it (to Broadway) because it was so bad (laughing). I can remember sitting there, watching these people have such a good time and thinking ‘I want to do this.’ My mom sacrificed so much for me, she would take me at least once a month to see whatever show was playing. The first Broadway show I saw was around 1981, and it was the original cast of 42nd Street.

You’ve done a lot of international performances. What are some of the differences between theater in the States and overseas?
The difference is every town, no matter how small, over in Europe has a theater house. Theater is where people meet, socialize and it’s not nearly as expensive as it is here. It’s the social-fun thing to do over there. Here, it’s something you do once every couple months or once a year. People in the States really should come out to the theater more.



Tickets are still available for the November 26 performance. For more information, log on to www.rabobankarena.com or call 852-7777. Ticket prices range
between $27 and $47.

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