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<DIV> <STRONG><FONT size=3>It was a simply satisfying run
for the Canal Fulton Players at the UMC Family Theatre and the actors, crew and
production staff were sad to say goodbye to <EM>Man of La Mancha</EM>, by Dale
Wasserman on Sunday, May 11. The musical which debuted on Broadway in 1965
and earned Richard Kiley a Tony Award played over six nights to 353
people. May 3 was a sellout with 100 patrons and May 9 was nearly a
sellout with 81 patrons. </FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV> <STRONG><FONT size=3>Bob Boston gave an excellent
performance as Don Quixote/Cervantes. His tenor voice boomed throughout
the theatre as he told the story of Don Quixote to the prisoners of the
Spanish Inquisition. Ray Olivera gave a bravura performance as Sancho
Panza/The Manservant and was always ready to give the comical statement at the
appropriate moment. Anita Artzner used her extensive dancing background to give
Aldonza/Dulcinea the crackling Latin fire that the part requires. Her
rendition of Aldonza towards the end of the play became a show stopper as the
audience was stunned by the fury of her words. Tim Charlton was excellent
in playing the Padre, who tries to save Don Quixote from public
ridicule, and Pedro, the Muleteer, who abuses Aldonza unmercifully.
His tenor voice gave To Each His Dulcinea the right spark and ended the first
act on the right note. </FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV> <STRONG><FONT size=3>Other actors included Ken
Hehmeyer who gave a sinister performance as the Duke/Dr. Carasco. His
portrayal as the Knight of the Mirrors in disguise of Dr. Carasco was chilling
as he looked ready to defeat Don Quixote in mortal combat. Gary Liknes who
was dominating as the Governor was equally convincing as the meek and mild
mannered Innkeeper. Mary Kocsis debut as Maria and the Mad Prisoner and
transformed herself from the childish prisoner who enjoyed everything about the
story to the shrewish Innkeeper's Wife who bullies the Innkeeper. Tara
Corkery was equally impressive as the Housekeeper who is only thinking of him
and Fermina, the girl who hates Dulcinea/Aldonza and who wants to be a
Muleteer. Tessa Hammersley went from the highly flirtatious prisoner to
the pious niece of Don Miguel Alonzo who is hoping that her uncle's
hallucinations as Don Quixote does not shatter her engagement with Dr.
Carasco. Karl Blanding was humorous as the Barber who wears a shaving
basin on his head to deflect the rays of the sun only to have it taken from him
by Quixote, who thinks it to be the Golden Helmet of Mambrino. The
Muleteers, played by Park and Jon Neumann and Drew Hutchinson, were excellent
especially when they had to have a sword fight with Quixote, Sancho and
Aldonza. Sinister were Dave Van Gaasbeek as the Captain of the Inquisition
and Mike Groom, his faithful guard. </FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV> <STRONG><FONT size=3>Dave Van Gaasbeek, who also
directed the play, added a new dimension. The Horse and Burro were played
by Emily Liknes and Emma Canfield, two eleven year old girls. They never
said a word but their use of body language gave a comical flare to the scenes
especially when the Horse and Quixote charge the windmill. This was Emma's
debut on stage and she came out of her shyness shell to give the Burro an
innocent character. Emily's facial expressions especially of fear when she
finds out the she is the charger who goes into combat had the audience
laughing.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV> <STRONG><FONT size=3>The Music Director was Phyllis
Staver who also played the keyboard. She was ably supported by Mike Curtis
on classical guitar and Brad Palmer on drums. </FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=3> The total attendance of La
Mancha dwarfed the previous record of the Players- 310 who saw My Fair Lady last
year. This play which was played in the Fellowship Hall of the United
Methodist Church of Canal Fulton employed a new lighting system, sound system
and set design. The audience sat on the stage and became part of the
dungeon that housed the desperate prisoners of the Spanish Inquisition in
1593. </FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV> <STRONG><FONT size=3>If anyone is interested in
learning more about the Canal Fulton Players at the UMC Family Theatre, please
contact Dave Van Gaasbeek at either 330-494-1022 or 330-854-4387. He can
also be reached by e-mail at <A
href="mailto:dvangaasbe@aol.com">dvangaasbe@aol.com</A> or regular mail at 363
Cherry Street SE, Canal Fulton, Ohio 44614 or 1303 West Maple Street, Suite 104,
North Canton, Ohio 44720. </FONT></STRONG></DIV>
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