Asbury Memorial Theatre Returns from Hiatus with 'Man of La Mancha'

Staff Report From Savannah CEO

Thursday, February 27th, 2020

Asbury Memorial Church’s Theatre Company is slated to return from last year’s hiatus with their production of Man of La Mancha. Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 6, 7, 13, & 14, and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 8 & 15 at the church, 1008 E Henry St. 

Asbury Memorial Theatre is a thriving community theatre that has provided excellent theatrical and musical productions with local actors, musicians, production staff, and crew since 1994. Their most recent production, Plaza Suite, took place in the spring of 2018. Through the years, Savannah audiences have delighted in the Theatre’s plays, musicals, revues, and light opera productions, several of which have earned ‘Best of Savannah’ awards.

“Our Theatre Company is excited to return to the Asbury Memorial stage this year with the beloved Man of La Mancha,” said Asbury Memorial Theatre Company board member Rhonda Reed.

Travis Spangenburg will direct Asbury Memorial Theatre’s production of Man of La Mancha, and Warren Heilman will serve as music director. These individuals will be supported by Assistant Director Tom Lewis and Stage Manager Alex Hearn Swanger. The cast is comprised of Chase S. Wilkinson, Justin P. Kent, Ray Ellis, Stephen Reed, Joshua C.S. Lewis, Jordan Soto, David Jordan Willis, James Siler, Donald Jarvis, Kayla M. Black, Kelly L. Jones, Lila West, Bobbie Renee Lewis, Mickey Dodge, Rayshawn Roberts, and Kevin Fleming.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing the show,” said former New York City actor and Asbury Memorial Church’s Rev. Billy Hester. “The set looks incredible! It’s one of the biggest and best sets I’ve seen in a community production.”

Man of La Mancha is a 1965 musical with a book by Dale Wasserman, lyrics by Joe Darion, and music by Mitch Leigh. It is adapted from Wasserman’s non-musical 1959 teleplay I, Don Quixote, which was in turn inspired by Miguel de Cervantes and his 17th-century novel Don Quixote. This show 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 with the Spanish Inquisition. The work is not, and does not pretend to be, a faithful rendition of either Cervantes’ life or Don Quixote.

The original 1965 Broadway production ran for 2,328 performances and won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Man of La Mancha has been revived four time on Broadway, becoming one of the most enduring works of musical theatre.

General admission for the performance is $20, or $15 for seniors 65+ and groups of 10 or more. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online. For more information or to purchase tickets for Man of La Mancha, please visit www.asburymemorial.org/theatre/