The Gallery Players: Man Of La Mancha

The Gallery Players in Brooklyn celebrates its 41st season this year – 41st! – Bravo!!

Last night I made the trek to go see my dear friend Jen in one of her dream roles Aldonza (or: Dulcinea) in Man Of La Mancha. Kind of a neat thing: Jen’s mother has played the role of Aldonza four times, in various theatres – and it was in a production of Man Of La Mancha that Jen’s mother met Jen’s stepfather. Jen’s stepfather has a boat called “Dulcinea”. Sniff, sniff. So Man of La Mancha is a real connector in Jen’s family, so it is just so so awesome that she would eventually get that same role. Passing on the torch.

Believe it or not, I had never seen a production of Man of La Mancha! I knew the story, and knew a couple of the songs (you know, the famous ones) – but had never seen it. So what a fun experience it was, to see it for the first time. I was mopping tears off my face at the end.

But! I also loved how funny it was! I mean, Spanish Inquisition? Prisoners? Funny? Well, frankly, yes. I loved the spirit of the company, and I loved the kind of improvisational feel that they brought to it (which is totally appropriate, if you think of the set-up – with Don Quixote assigning roles to prisoners who have to just jump up and begin “acting” … ) Everyone was terrific.

Jen and I were roommates for nine years. Nine. Years. That’s more successful than many marriages. We have since parted ways, as roommates, but she’s one of my dearest friends.

Watching her at the end of the show, staring up into the lights, with tears on her face, a scarf over her head ….

Fuggedaboutit. I was toast.

It runs through May 18th. If you’re a New Yorker, you can buy tickets here.