Page 10 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • September 11, 2013 Area Bergen County Players present ‘Man of La Mancha’ Celebrating a season entitled “From Page to Stage” and inspired by Miguel de Cervantes’ 17th century masterpiece “Don Quixote,” Bergen County Players will open its 81st season with the Tony Award-win- ning musical “Man of La Mancha.” Brad Baron, Nina Lionetti and Bill Kaufman star in Bergen County Players’ production of ‘Man of La Mancha.’ Performed at the Little Firehouse The- atre in Oradell from Sept. 14 through Oct. 12, the evening performances will begin at 8 p.m. and the Sunday matinee curtain will be raised at 2 p.m. The one exception will be opening night, Sept. 14, at which the curtain will rise at 8:30 p.m. in deference to Yom Kippur. With a book by Dale Wasserman, lyrics by Joe Darion, and music by Mitch Leigh, “Man of La Mancha” 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 original 1965 Broadway production enjoyed a six-year run and starred Richard Kiley, who won one of the show’s five Tony Awards. It also won for best musical, best direction, score, scenic design, and costume design. Considered one of the most endur- ing works of musical theater, the show has since been revived four times on Broadway, most recently in 2003 with Brian Stokes Mitchell. “Man of La Mancha” is directed by long- time BCP member Jacqueline McElroy- Poquette of Westwood, who has directed over 30 plays. The most recent include two NJACT Perry Award-nominated pro- ductions, “The Melody Lingers On” and “Follies in Concert,” and the Perry Award- winning “The Beauty Queen of Leenane.” When McElroy-Poquette was a school teacher, the centerpiece of the gradua- tion ceremony every year was the singing of “The Impossible Dream,” the fabulous anthem from the production and one of the most recognizable songs in the history of musical theater. To this day, she can hear the sobs it evoked from students, parents, and teachers. Her goal in presenting the show for the Bergen County Players is to recreate that moving experience. “Don Quixote is one of the greatest char- Seated: Jill Eras, Brian James Grace, and Shari Mendelson. Standing: Neil Kahn, Elisabeth Erdmann, Ken Fodor, Rosella DeVincenzo, and David Luke in ‘Man of La Mancha.’ (Photos courtesy of Alan Zenreich.) acters ever created – pure and gentle with great innocence. His quest is at once sad and funny and incredibly inspiring,” McEl- roy-Poquette said. The music is under the direction of Steve Bell of Teaneck, who has been the musical director for many BCP shows, including last season’s productions of “Beehive” and “The Sing-Along Sound of Music.” (continued on page 16)