THE HUMAN RACE THEATRE COMPANY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, interviews, etc., please contact:
Marsha Hanna, Artistic Director
marsha@humanracetheatre.org
(937) 461-3823, ext. 3111

THE HUMAN RACE’S DREAM IS POSSIBLE—
MAN OF LA MANCHA COMES TO THE LOFT OCTOBER 30

DAYTON, OH - October 15 - Monty Python had it wrong – somebody does expect the Spanish Inquisition, namely audiences for Man of La Mancha. And those who come to The Human Race Theatre Company’s production at The Loft will find themselves in the same dungeon as those awaiting their fate before the inquisitors.

Designer David A. Centers and Technical Director Scott Kimmins and crew have turned the entire Loft into the prison where Miguel de Cervantes is put on mock trial by fellow inmates. In his defense, Cervantes tells them the stirring tales of Don Quixote de La Mancha, tales that became the second best-selling book of all time. Theatregoers will be spared gruel, bedbugs, the prospect of burning at the stake or any other actual participation, but, says director Scott Stoney, “We want them to feel part of the group as Cervantes tells his story to the prisoners, to get them feeling connected with the residents of the dungeon.”

Turning The Loft into a dungeon wasn’t easy – it even involved knocking out part of a wall – but it does bring Man of La Mancha back to its roots. The acclaimed musical, written by Dale Wasserman, with lyrics by Joe Darion and music by Mitch leigh, began it’s path to five Tony Awards with a limited set that allows audiences to follow along as Cervantes’ tale expands, in the process turning the narrow confines of the dungeon into the vastness of all Spain.

The Human Race production not only doesn’t spare walls, it doesn’t spare cast, either. The 18 members of the ensemble represent the largest cast in The Loft in at least a decade.

The group is headed by Human Race Executive Director Kevin Moore as Cervantes and Don Quixote, in only his second return to the stage this millennium (Big River was the other). David C. Maxwell portrays the faithful Sancho Panza, and Aldonza/Dulcinea will be played by former area resident Melissa D’Amico. Other visiting artists include Kristoffer Lowe as The Padre and David Tillistrand as the The Innkeeper.

Many members of the cast are local favorites, including Jamie Cordes, Renee Franck-Reed, Mike Kennedy, Jake Lockwood, J.J. Tiemeyer and Aaron Vega. Two other members of The Human Race cast of Shenandoah return – Jerome Doerger and Eric Ulloa. Katherine De Boer, Jason Roberts, Matthew Natale Rush, Joseph Spieldenner and Liz Wheeler round out the cast.

The wondrous music of La Mancha, from the lightness of "I Really Like Him" to the gentle beauty of "Dulcinea" to the majesty of "The Impossible Dream," will be directed by Scot Woolley. Woolley and his four-man orchestra will be hidden backstage, watching the action on a monitor.

The Human Race will present a preview of Man of La Mancha October 29, with official opening night October 30 and performances through November 15. Tickets are available via www.humanracetheatre.org or by calling Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or toll-free (888) 228-3630.

Heather Jackson is Production Stage Manager for La Mancha, John Rensel the Lighting Designer, Laine June Marr the Costume Coordinator, Nathan D. Dean the Sound Designer and Peter Fitzkee the Fight Director.

Production sponsors are The Muse Machine, DP&L Foundation, Tim & Char Scroggins, Emerson Climate Technologies, Unibilt Industries, The Roberts Foundation, App Architecture, Taft, Stettinius and Hollister LLP and Clarksville Stave & Lumber Company.

Kevin Moore (Don Quixote) and David C. Maxwell (Sancho) in MAN OF LA MANCHA

Photos: Scott J. Kimmins

Founded in 1986, The Human Race Theatre Company moved to the Metropolitan Arts Center in 1991, taking up residence at the 219-seat Loft Theatre. In addition to the Eichelberger Loft Season, The Human Race produces for the Victoria Theatre’s Broadway Series, the Musical Theatre Workshop series, and special event programming. The Human Race, under the direction of Artistic Director Marsha Hanna and Executive Director Kevin Moore, also maintains education and outreach programs for children, teens and adults, as well as artist residencies in area schools, The Muse Machine In-School Tour, Youth Summer Stock, and The Human Race Conservatory. Human Race organizational support is provided by Culture Works, Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District, Shubert Foundation and the Ohio Arts Council. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this organization with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.