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Theater review
Man of La Mancha
Theo Ubique. By Dale Wasserman. Music by Mitch Leigh. Lyrics by Joe Darion. Dir. David Heimann. With ensemble cast.
SWIFF GETAWAY Brothers plots her escape.In a desperate bid to keep safe his most prized possession—the manuscript of Don Quixote—Miguel de Cervantes acts out his classic novel for a group of prisoners awaiting the Inquisition. At first, La Mancha’s sweep and romance don’t seem a natural fit for Theo Ubique’s intimate cabaret style. To grub it up a bit, Heimann has recast the prison as a confining mental ward. The result is thrillingly immediate and powerful. Carrie Colden’s nightmarish set, all fluorescent lights and grimy institutional tile, forms a fitting backdrop as the cast gets wrapped up in its transportive story.
Occasionally, the production is a little too in love with its grit: A drawn-out, horrific rape scene befits the space but not the show. Yet Ubique’s ensemble of misfits and lunatics plows through the 1965 musical with irrepressible, sometimes creepy glee, capitalizing on a score generous enough to give even the smallest player a showcase moment. Standouts include Kyle Greer as the chorus’s finest chameleon and Sarah Hayes, who plays distrustful wench Aldonza with white-hot rage. But the show belongs to Danielle Brothers. Her take on the titular hero, which could have been stunt casting, is inspired. By the time she reaches “Dulcinea,” she is completely Quixote and totally heartbreaking. Someone please cast her as Caiaphas in Jesus Christ Superstar.
Time Out Chicago / Issue 244 : Oct 29, 2009–Nov 6, 2010
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Tbone--how erudite of you. Your plebian language might suggest that the show is for someone of less-refined taste. I'm all for opposing views regarding a show, but your cheeky dismissal seems to only show ignorance and intolerance. Congratulations on lowering the bar on theatre discusssions to 5 words that do very little to elucidate your opinion. Well played...
Lam and Eric.... Blow me! The show rocks.....
I don't understand the adoration this show has gotten. I saw it this weekend, and I felt like the concept (in and of itself) was confusing and didn't lend itself to the show. While Ms. Brothers is fine, I never felt like there was an honest moment -- it all seemed a bit broad (no pun intended). And, the rest of the piece was just a bit of a mess. It was as if each actor was playing in a different show -- and, I don't mean that in a good, inspirational way. I wouldn't recommend this show.
I find it particularly unfortunate that the pervious two posters have chosen to make their very justified criticism of the rating system, on this productions Page. Though rooted in honesty, these comments have no place here. Causing the user rating to plummet just because you disagree with it seems Tacky and Simple to my way of thinking. I saw this show last night and fount it Challenging, engaging and Beautiful!!! Bravo! Theo. Theatre that makes you think, is why I go to Theatre in Chicago!
This is really a fantastic re-imagining of the show. I loved the original La Mancha, but this one brings a new flavor to it, and has had us talking for days. The acting is superb, and I would agree with the reviewer's assessment of Sarah Hayes - she is ferocious in her role as Aldonza and brings a great intensity to the show. Highly recommended.
I agree with Jason. I haven't seen la mancha yet, and I'm sure it's great, but in general I don't even read Time Out theater reviews any more. It's a clown show.
I enjoyed the show very much, but a perfect 5 out of 5 stars? The star system for the theatre section has become a joke since Mr. Piatt left this magazine. Everything is 5 stars or 1 star (in one case, zero stars). If this production was a perfect 5, then I'm sorry but probably about a third of all Chicago productions would be so as well. It's ridiculous. And I don't mean to single out this review but rather illustrate that it is continuing an unfortunate and unrealistic ratings trend.