MAN OF LA MANCHA Comes to Custom Made 1/11- 2/17

This intimate revival of the 1964 Tony Award Winning musical, "Man of La Mancha" is directed by Artistic Director, Brian Katz (Chess, Next to Normal). Featuring on-stage actor/musicians, it stars TBA Award-winner Edward Hightower (seen as Booth in Custom Made's "Assassins" and the Storyteller in "Cotton Patch Gospel") as Cervantes/Quixote.

This beloved musical adaptation of Miguel Cervantes' "Don Quixote" is one of the most successful musicals in Broadway history. Born in the political theatre movement of the 1960's, "La Mancha" is a play-within-a-play where Cervantes, imprisoned by The Inquisition, faces trial by his fellow prisoners. In his defense, he engages his prosecutors in weaving the tale of his errant knight, Don Quixote de La Mancha, determined to bring back the age of chivalry to a darkening world, eerily similar to our present times.

With timeless songs like "The Impossible Dream" and "Dulcinea", Custom Made puts its unique spin on this dark musical, featuring on-stage actor-musicians, and starring TBA Award-winner Edward Hightower (seen as Booth in Custom Made's "Assassins" and the Storyteller in "Cotton Patch Gospel") as Cervantes/Quixote.

Custom Made's La Mancha takes advantage of their intimate stage to bring a modern, essential musical to Union Square. Stripping the score down to its essence, and with all the music played live with actor/musicians and led by James Grady (Next to Normal) on Spanish Guitar, this production takes the show back to its downtown roots, reminding us why Cervantes' tale is beloved all over the world.

Directing is Artistic Director Brian Katz, who also envisioned Custom Made's stagings of "Chess" (winner, Best Overall Production, Bay Area Critics Circle), "Next to Normal", and most recently Kurt Vonnegut's' "Mother Night." Katz says he feels this is the perfect time to visit the wastelands of La Mancha, as we need to believe, in our current political climate, that hope can be found in the most quixotic of causes. He notes, "There are other titles that might seem more hit over the head, ones that focus on the rise of authoritarianism, or even directly the evils of Trump, but I felt we needed a glimmer of light to remind us why we fight."

"Cervantes' tale is ageless because there are is always oppression, there is always evil, and we often are exhausted from the battle. I know I'm feeling that way right now. But 'Man of La Mancha' says that, without that hope, we really are lost. I want people to come away from this show refreshed, and ready to fight for what they believe in, whatever that may be."

"Man of La Mancha" runs January 11 - February 17, 2018 at Custom Made Theatre, 533 Sutter Street in San Francisco.

Previews: January 11, 12, 13, 8:00 pm

Press Opening: Sunday, January 14 at 7:00 pm

Runs: January 11 - February 17, 2018. Wednesdays 7:30 pm; Thurs-Sat 8:00 pm, Saturday matinees Jan 27, Feb 3, 10, 17 - 2:00pm

Tickets: $30-49

Learn more & buy tickets at (415) 798-CMTC (2682)

http://www.custommade.org/lamancha

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