'Man of La Mancha' Comes to California Theatre

SAN BERNARDINO >> Considered to be one of the greatest stage musicals ever written, "Man of La Mancha" is coming to the California Theatre of the Performing Arts for four performances only in July. Presented by Theatrical Arts Foundation, the musical is being staged at 8 p.m. July 15 and 16 and 2 p.m. July 16 and 17. Tickets are $38.50 to $77.50 and are available through the box office at 909-885-5152 or www.ticketmaster.com. "We're very proud to be presenting this stage masterpiece that truly spans generations of thrilled audiences since it opened on Broadway," said Joseph Henson, producer with Theatrical Arts Foundation. "This is a stage masterpiece that tells the classic Cervantes tale about one of the most memorable characters ever, Don Quixote." The musical tells the story of the "mad" knight, Don Quixote, as a play within a play, performed by Cervantes and his fellow prisoners as he awaits a hearing before the dreaded Spanish Inquisition. "Man of La Mancha, with book by Dale Wasserman, lyrics by Joe Darion and music by Mitch Leigh, was adapted from Wasserman's non-musical 1959 teleplay "I, Don Quixote," which was inspired by Miguel de Cervantes and his 17th century book "Don Quixote." It was made into a 1972 film starring Peter O'Toole. The original 1965 Broadway production of "Man of La Mancha," which won five Tony Awards including Best Musical, ran for more than 2,300 performances. The musical has been revived on Broadway four times, with productions done in Korean, Dutch, Swedish, German, Hebrew, French, Spanish and many other languages. "Man of La Mancha" features some of the greatest songs in stage musical history, including "The Impossible Dream" and "Dulcinea." "The Impossible Dream" has been covered by such performers as Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Jim Nabors, Andy Williams and Cher. ‘MAN OF LA MANCHA' WHEN: 8 p.m. July 15-16; 2 p.m. July 16-17 WHERE: California Theatre of the Performing Arts, 562 W. Fourth St., San Bernardino. TICKETS: $38.50-$77.50 and available through www.ticketmaster.com or theater box office INFORMATION/BOX OFFICE: (909) 885-5152 ON THE WEB: www.californiatheatre.net