Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey Announces Full Cast for MAN OF LA MANCHA, Led by William Michals

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey has announced the complete cast for its production of the award-winning musical Man of La Mancha which will begin performances on October 17th at the Shakespeare Theatre's Main Stage, the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Ave. (at Lancaster Road) in Madison. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased by calling the box office at 973-408-5600 or by visiting www.ShakespeareNJ.org. Performances are Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $42 to $80; student rush tickets are available 30 minutes prior to curtain for $10.

Featuring a well-known score including one of Broadway's most famous songs – To Dream the Impossible Dream –and the winner of five Tony Awards including Best Musical, Man of La Mancha has become one of the most beloved and popular American musicals throughout the world. Inspired by Miguel de Cervante's seventeenth century masterpiece Don Quixote, the musical features a book by Dale Wasserman, lyrics by Joe Darion and music by Mitch Leigh. Shakespeare Theatre artistic director Bonnie J. Monte directs the production. Doug Oberhamer is the musical director.

"It has been nearly ten years since we've produced a musical," said Artistic Director Bonnie J. Monte, "and we are thrilled to present this gorgeous classic in our 50th Anniversary Season. Based on the response we've received since announcing the production, Man of La Mancha is already a highly anticipated audience favorite."

William Michals makes his Shakespeare Theatre debut as the writer Miguel de Cervantes who invents the iconic character of Don Quixote. Michals appeared as Emile de Becque in the Tony Award-winning South Pacific at Lincoln Center. He made his Broadway debut as the Beast in Beauty and the Beast and later returned to the production to play Gaston. He has also played lead roles in productions across the country including Javert in Les Misérables, Billy Flynn in Chicago, Henry Hill in The Music Man, the title role in Phantom, and Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music.

Michals was asked to open the December 11, 2001 memorial service at Ground Zero with a solo, a cappella rendition of Let There Be Peace on Earth which has been rebroadcast world-wide. He has also appeared with some of the country's leading orchestras including the San Francisco, San Diego, Utah, Colorado and Hartford Symphonies, The New York Pops and Peter Nero and the Philly Pops.

Broadway veteran Jane Pfitsch plays Aldonza. Pfitsch appeared earlier this season in the Shakespeare Theatre's production of The Liar. On Broadway, she appeared in the Tony Award-winning Company and Les Liaisons Dangereuses. She also appeared off-Broadway in The 39 Steps.

Blake Pfeil plays Sancho Panza. Pfeil appeared in The Shakespeare Theatre's production of A Christmas Carol. He has also appeared in Little Shop of Horrors at the New Repertory Theatre, Paula Vogel's A Civil War Christmas at the Huntington Theatre Company, and Assassins at Company One. He has appeared in concert at Joe's Pub, The Bitter End, The Underground, and Time Out Lounge.

Patrick Boll returns to the Theatre for his second season to play The Duke/Dr. Carrasco. Boll appeared in Richard II at The Shakespeare Theatre and has appeared on Broadway in Mamma Mia, Faith Healer, Twentieth Century, Hedda Gabler, Death of a Salesman and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

Making his Shakespeare Theatre debut is David Hess as the Governor/Inkeeper. Hess appeared on Broadway in Sweeney Todd and Annie Get Your Gun and has appeared in the national tours of Sweeney Todd and Ragtime.

Derin Altay returns to the Theatre for her third season to play the Housekeeper. Altay has appeared in The Shakespeare Theatre productions of Enter the Guardsman and Galileo. On Broadway, she played the title role in Evita and Julie in the revival of Show Boat, both directed by the legendary Harold Prince. She has toured throughout the United States, Europe and Scandinavia with Evita and gave a command performance for King Carl Gustav and Queen Sylvia of Sweden.

Shakespeare Theatre veteran Darren Matthias plays the Caption of the Inquisition. Matthias has appeared in The Shakespeare Theatre productions of Measure for Measure, The Winter's Tale, Henry IV, Illyria, and on the Outdoor Stage in A Midsummer Night's Dream. He has appeared in national tours of Tommy, Seussical, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Jeremy Lee Parish plays the Padre. He has appeared in the national tours of Jesus Christ Superstar and If This Hat Could Talk.

Also in The company of more than 20 actors and musicians are Kim Sava, John Seidman and Lee Harrington as well as Sean Buhr, George Abud, Jordan Laroya, John Gardner, and Katy Hinson.

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