CenterStage presents Dale Wasserman’s tale of the “mad” knight, Don Quixote, in “Man of La Mancha” at the Jewish Community Center January 13 through January 30, 2011. Performances will be held on January 13 at 7:30 p.m., January 15 at 7:30 p.m., January 16 at 2:00 p.m., January 20 at 7:30 p.m., January 22 at 7:30 p.m., January 23 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., January 24 at 7:30 p.m., January 27 at 7:30 p.m., January 29 at 7:30 p.m. and January 30 at 2:00 p.m.

“Man of La Mancha” is a play-within-a-play based on the life and works of the great novelist Miguel de Cervantes. In a dark dungeon in Seville at the end of the sixteenth century, Cervantes is thrown into prison to await his trial by the Spanish Inquisition for an offense against the Church. Cervantes is attacked by his fellow prisoners, who proceed to hold a mock trial. If Cervantes is found guilty, he will have to hand over all his possessions. Cervantes agrees to do so with the exception of a manuscript, which the prisoners are eager to burn. He pleads to offer a defense – a play to be acted by him and the prisoners. As Don Quixote comes galloping out of the darkness to joust with windmills and win the heart of his Dulcinea, the dying old knight dreams an impossible dream – to see things not as they are, but as they ought to be.

Winner of five Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Composer, Best Lyricist and Best Director, “Man of La Mancha” boasts your CenterStage favorites, with Jason Cooper and Collete Delaney taking the stage as Manservant (Sancho Panza) and Aldonza (Dulcinea), respectively. New to CenterStage this season is Russ Dunlap as the infamous Miguel De Cervantes (Don Quixote and Alonso Quijana). Directed by John R. Leffert, choreographed by Megan Bliss and musical direction by Chris Bryant; “Man of La Mancha” features such songs as “Dulcinea”, “I’m Only Thinking of Him” and the classic “The Impossible Dream”.

Tickets for “Man of La Mancha” are being sold at the Jewish Community Center, located at 3600 Dutchmans Lane, or by calling (502) 459-0660. Single tickets are $18. If not sold out, discounted rush tickets will be available for evening performances on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays.

Now is your chance to purchase season tickets for the remaining CenterStage 2010-2011 productions. You can still catch performances of “Man of La Mancha”, “The Music Man” and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”. Show and season ticket information is available at www.jewishlouisville.org or by calling the JCC at (502) 459-0660.