Ann McNulty Ferraro is directing this year’s musical, which will take place March 22, 23, and 24 in the auditorium at Newtown High School. Drama Club members portray the complex story set in a Spanish prison that combines reality and imagination. Miguel de Cervantes awaits his fate in the Spanish Inquisition. He tries to make the other prisoners believe he is innocent. But reality is so painful for him, he uses his imagination to create the character Don Quixote from the novel and gets the prisoners to play along.

The musical, open to the public, will not be a disappointment, according to producer Cherie Swetts. The 41-member cast is full of talent and intrigue during La Mancha.

“It’s good to support your high school,” Mrs Swetts said. “The production we put on here at Newtown High School, the spring musical is excellent. This is their [students] show.”

Audience members will be able to use their own imaginations when scenes change throughout the musical, according to technical director Erin Thomas, who has also been working with scenic designer Andy Knapp. Mr Knapp has designed shows for numerous high school productions.

“Because of the way we built it [set], everything looks big. It has this massive effect,” Erin said. “The highest point is 18 feet tall, which makes the actors look really small.”

The colors will be dark grays like the stone block of a prison, Erin said.

“It takes place within a prison,” she said. “For other scenes, it’s with the imagination. The light colors changing and the lighting helps make the effects of another scene.”

Grant Skinner will play Don Quixote during the musical. He has been captured and has to appear before the Inquisition and while waiting for his trial allows his imagination to take over, leaving the reality of prison behind.

“I put on a play using the other prisoners,” Grant said. “My character in the play I put on is actually a country squire who believes he is Don Quixote. The real world is too painful for him so he make believes he is a knight.”

Playing several characters is both challenging and exciting for Grant.

“Most challenging is playing so many characters. I play three different characters,” he said. “I like that he’s telling a story, but does it in the form of a play.”

Pat Curran plays Don Quixote’s manservant, Sancho Panza, who tries to keep Don Quixote out of trouble throughout the musical. Pat, who is usually a baritone, will sing a tenor role.

“I like musicals. They are just a lot of fun,” Pat said. “Going back and forth from reality and Don Quixote’s life is challenging. It’s a great show. The leads are incredible.”

Erin Zaruba will play Aldonza, who is a kitchen maid in the imaginary world of the musical.

“She’s a prostitute. Basically throughout the story she is the scum of the earth. That’s what she thinks of herself so everyone else thinks that too,” Erin said. “Don Quixote calls her beautiful and a lady. But no one has ever done that before. He teaches her there is good in the world and that she is worth something too.”

Erin admits that her character is difficult to portray because of Aldonza’s complexity.

“It’s a really complex character. She goes through a lot of changes,” Erin said. “It’s vocally strenuous and emotionally strenuous. It’s a difficult character to understand and portray.”

Chris Fendt is the co-director who is Mrs McNulty Ferraro’s right hand, helping actors remember the vision and actions the director wants them to portray when opening night comes.

“It’s a really good play. It’s got history,” Chris said. “It has a good connection to 16th Century Spanish literature.”

The musical is a combination of characteristics including dark, depressing, and comical, according to Chris. But the intrigue of grabbing the audience in different ways is why people should come out to see Man of La Mancha.

The spring musical will have four showings: Thursday, March 22, at 7:30 pm; Friday, March 23, at 8 pm; and Saturday, March 24, at 2 and 8 pm. Admission to the musical is Adult Reserved Seating, $12; Adult General Admission, $11; Student/Senior Reserved seating, $8; Student/Senior General Admission, $7. Tickets are available at the Newtown High School Main Office. For more information call 270-6150, ext 7529.