Martin Antonio Guerra to Lead MAN OF LA MANCHA in Fort Worth This May

Artes de la Rosa announces that Martin Antonio Guerra, will take on the dual role of Miguel Cervantes and Don Quixote in Artes de la Rosa's Man of La Mancha which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary with this production. Guerra is joined by soprano Sarah Powell in the role of Aldonza who Quixote confuses with the Lady Dulcinea. It is a bit of a homecoming for Guerra, who was last seen at Artes de la Rosa in the Regional Premiere of Lin Manuel Miranda's In the Heights. Sarah Powell is making her Artes de la Rosa debut.

Artistic Director Adam Adolfo says, "For its 50th anniversary, I wanted to take a new look at material that has become part of the American theatre psyche. When it was first written it was the beginning of a changing America, and it is with that spirit that we are taking a look at the text with new eyes asking ourselves the very question, Cervantes asks himself in the musical play, 'When life itself seems lunatic, who knows where madness lies?"

Sarah Powell, as the 'alley cat' Aldonza said, "I am excited to take on such a gritty character who really has a lot of emotional depth. I have actually never seen a production of La Mancha (probably the only musical theater person ever, lol). The music, of course, is wonderful and the story is classic, but we are going to be telling it in a new way, which is also exciting."

When asked to comment, on this 'new' La Mancha, Guerra offered, "Since being part of In The Heights, I have seen other works at Artes de La Rosa that were innovative in their direction, including Romeo And Juliet set in Havana, Cuba and a Hipster version of Into The Woods. Don't get me wrong; Shakespeare and Sondheim are great, but Man Of La Mancha is a classic work of Hispanic literature and deserves a fresh re-telling at Artes de la Rosa. Adam Adolfo is crazy & Quixotic himself. He's willing to take risks to reach new audiences and uncover the fire and heart of a great work. I trust that there is a method to his madness."

"The production team and I are so excited to have Martin & Sarah as the heart of our La Mancha family. They bring a singular vocal power and passionate spirit to the stage that is the heart of this fresh take on classic material. Their skill, heart, and energy are sure to bring this living breathing larger than life story to the Rose Marine stage. Audiences will fall in love with Man of La Mancha all over again," said Artistic Director Adam Adolfo.

Martin Antonio Guerra teaches English as a Second Language at Mountain View College, but has dedicated much of his evenings and weekends to following his second vocation, namely singing. He has served as a Music Minister and Cantor at the Church of the Incarnation at the University of Dallas in Irving for more than 25 years, and he sang for many seasons with the internationally acclaimed Turtle Creek Chorale. In recent years, he has expanded into opera and musical theatre. His classical work includes ensemble roles for The Dallas Opera, the Fort Worth Opera Festival, and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Chorus.

Sarah Powell received her Bachelor's Degree at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and her Masters Degree at The New England Conservatory. Though classically trained in opera, Sarah has enjoyed much success in musical theater as well. Since moving back to Dallas, Sarah has performed with Lyric Stage, Pegasus Theater, Casa Mañana, and was most recently seen with Grand Prairie Arts Council as The Baker's Wife in Into the Woods. She also maintains active voice and piano studios at The Master's Touch, in Grapevine, and Tarrant County College Southeast Campus in Arlington.

Other featured members of cast include those part of The Louis Zapata Resident Acting Company including Brittany Adelstein as Antonia, Adrian Godinez as The Captain, Jake Harris as The Governor, and Jason Solis as The Barber. The cast also includes, Jonathan Flippo as The Duke, Faith Hope as The Housekeeper, Erin Hardy as The Inn Keepers Wife, with Kirk Corley, Rodney Hudson, Kristi Smith Johnson, Edwin Osaze, and Rebekah Ruiz.

Casting of the roles of Sancho & The Padre are forth coming.

Fort Worth Weekly's VISIONARY AWARD winner Adam Adolfo as Producer/Director/Costume Designer joins Musical Director Kristin Spires who conducts the 7-piece orchestra. The production is choreographed by Maegan Marie Stewart and has stage management by Beatriz Alvarado. The design team includes Lisa Miller as Lighting Designer and frequent Artes de la Rosa collaborator Bradley Gray as Scenic Designer.

Production begins May 15th at the Rose Marine Theater in Fort Worth for a strictly limited 3 week engagement.

Revisioned as a contemporary nightmare, Artes de la Rosa's 50th Anniversary production of Man of La Mancha gives a contemporary portrait of a solider, tortured by his own mind, returning from war to face his demons within a corrupt and unsympathetic culture. With no peace in sight, he escapes into the world of Miguel de Cervantes's book, Don Quixote, a world where he will find an impossible dream.

Based on the Miguel de Cervantes novel, Man of La Mancha features music by Mitch Leigh, lyrics by Joe Darion and book by Dale Wasserman. The popular musical following the lofty escapades of Don Quixote and his pal Sancho includes the songs "Dulcinea," "The Impossible Dream," "What Does He Want of Me," "I'm Only Thinking of Him" and "To Each His Dulcinea."

Man of La Mancha runs Friday May 15, 2015 and plays Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sunday Matinees 3:00 pm through Sunday May 31, 2015. General Admission tickets are $16 for adults and $12 for students, teachers, & seniors. Tickets will go on sale on April 1st. For tickets or more information, call the Rose Marine Theater Box Office at (817) 624-8333. Special ticket prices are available for groups of 10 or more. Tickets can be purchased online at www.artesdelarosa.org.

About Artes de la Rosa Cultural Center for the Arts - Artes de la Rosa is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and interpreting the art, lives, and history of Latino culture for all. They are located at The Rose Marine Theater at 1440 North Main Street in Fort Worth. For more information, visit www.ArtesDeLaRosa.org or call 817-624-8333.

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