There is no doubt that this is a transfixing tale. Its emotional impact could not be more affecting. By moving the timeline of the play to 2065 this 17th century play as presented by the SF Playhouse turns the stage into a new and thrilling Man of La Mancha. Echoes of the "Mad Max” films which took place in the future, are ever present in this achingly intense and passionately acted drama.

There is a story within a story in the well-crafted musical about adventure that has a swashbuckling cinematic feel to it. Taking place in a prison dungeon after an atomic bomb attack the sounds of clanking doors and lights that suddenly disturb the dark environs, keep us shaken as the plot twists continue. The story is about Miguel Cervantes, who has been thrown into prison by the Inquisition for crimes against the state.


Clutching a few things in a beat up old case that hides his manuscript – Cervantes first meets his less than friendly cellmates. They take his bag and toss his meager belongings all over the cell floor. They also threaten to burn his prized manuscript. He pleads with them not to do it. His pleas get him a trial before the unofficial Governor among the prisoners. They agree to hear his story and decide what will be his fate. Cervantes manages to convince the unsavory characters to become characters in his play to make his point of why he is innocent. Cervantes becomes Don Quixote de La Mancha and he believes in his mind that he really is La Mancha. The prison becomes a roadside Inn and with his vivid imagination he can make us believe that it is also a castle.

Aldonza (prison mate and prostitute) becomes his princess as the fabled story goes on. He sings to Aldonza who he has dubbed Dulcinea. “I see heaven when I see thee, Dulcinea. An angel whispers…Dulcinea!” Of course she is neither a princess nor he a Lord, but hey when you’re in prison you have to make the best out of what you have.

Bill English plays the title character and he handles the task masterfully. He is loud and boisterous as is called for in the role of Don Quixote. Sancho (Louis Parnell) is quite fabulous and enjoyable as Quixote’s manservant. Parnell also has the best voice in the cast. You will be enchanted with his rendition of “I Really Like Him.” This one will stick in your mind all evening.

Martin Rojas-Dietrich (The Padre) draws you further into the drama as he sings “The Psalm”. Truly inspired and remarkable. The potency of this play is in the subtext that masters the unspoken violent power. The book is by Dale Wasserman, which is based on Cervantes’s “The Adventures of Don Quixote.” Lyrics – Joe Darion. Jon Tracy directs this engrossing production with extraordinary insight. Music Director is the famed Dave Dobrusky, and the thrilling Choreography is by Krista DeNio.

This terrific story takes place in a dungeon prison where the prisoners wear electronic bracelets on their wrists that give them a severe disabling shock when it is their time to go before the inquisitors. Seeing them suffer in extreme pain is not an image that you will soon forget. There are other futuristic experiences on the stage. Especially fascinating are the two double doors that open to let prisoners out as they are called on to be judged. When the doors open you are greeted with an extremely white light shining through a Smokey mist. Scary stuff. It’s not a Paris Hilton Prison.

All the actors are totally amazing. It is rare to see a cast that is so reactive to what the other actors are saying. Realism is the key here. These are the elements that give this revival its richness. The accelerating plot twists, no matter how many times you have seen this musical are again fresh and surprising. Doggone it…it’s just a terrific tale with a brilliant cast. I was especially fascinated by Daniel Krueger as Muleteer #1, Ted Harvey as Muleteer # 2/Guitarist, Cathleen Riddley as Aldonza and Terry Rucker as The Barber/principal Guitarist.

The Man of La Mancha at the SF Playhouse is a stunning production. Having seen many productions of La Mancha – this one is the most innovative and emotional. You gotta see it!

RATING: FOUR GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!!! –trademarked- (Highest Rating)

BUZZIN – FLICKER BITS>>>> (These are not reviews. They are special comments)

EVENING: Its O.K. If you want to take Two and Half Hours of your life to watch someone die. Great acting though.

EVAN ALMIGHTY: Sink this ship. A not funny Steve Carell as Noah is tiresome. A barnacle anyone?

TRANSFORMERS: Really big high tech movie. Just like now – Giant Robots are out to get you. It's not a date movie.

OCEANS ELEVEN: Don’t try to figure out what is going on. Quick cuts don’t help. Just enjoy the fun.

NANCY DREW: Moving her to the 21st Century was a big mistake. It’s not working.

SICKO: Michael Moore takes on the Health Care industry. If Cuba can give free health care and medicine for pennies. Why can’t we? Good Question.

THEATRE EXTRA: THE NEW CONSERVATORY THEATRE WILL OPEN SOON WITH THE AMAZING VOCALIST CONNIE CHAMPAGNE! It’s a good bet that you are going to like this remarkable songstress in a brand new show.

Walnut Creek has revived that Stephan Sondheim musical that dropped from heaven – “Into the Woods”. What a fun show based on the Grimm Fairy Tales. At the Crosswoods Theatre.

Will Franken is at the Marsh Theater with his one man show “Grandpa It’s Not Fitting”. Will, is actually a one-man cast of thousands.

Tango on this Grave! A Traveling Jewish Theatre is playing “The Gravedigger’s Tango.” A Grave Digger exhumes graves. The angry caretaker is not amused.

THIS IS FREE: Dance, music and theater performances at Union Square Noon-Friday thru this Sunday. It’s called ‘Jewels in the Square.’ And the weather seems to want to shine on those Jewels.

Give me your FAST, FUNNY AND ULTRA COOL COMMENTS @ any of the links below.



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