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Man Of La Mancha
Written By Dale Wasserman, Music By Mitch Leigh, Lyrics By Joe Darion
Directed by Adam Twiss , Music Direction by Katherine Anderson
June 10-26, 2022 • Raleigh
8208 Brownleigh Drive, Raleigh 27617, Umstead Park United Church of Christ
Inspired by Miguel de Cervantes’s 17-century masterpiece novel Don Quixote, MAN OF LA MANCHA is one of the most successful musicals in Broadway history. The original production won the Tony Award for Best Musical. Powerful, brutal, hilarious, and heartbreaking, 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. MAN OF LA MANCHA celebrates the perseverance of a dying old man who imagines himself a gallant knight on a noble quest to right all wrongs. His wild antics change the lives of Sancho Panza, his loyal sidekick, and of Aldonza, a prostitute who he sees as the vision of purity, Dulcinea. His noble cause begs us to question: Is it he or the world that has gone mad, as he dares to Dream the Impossible Dream?
Winner: Tony Award - Best Play
Meet the Cast and Artistic Production Team:
Dylan Bailey (Padre) is a Raleigh-based theater artist and arts educator. He holds a BFA in Theatre for Youth from East Carolina University. He’s acted with Seed Art Share, Burning Coal Theatre, Pittsboro Youth Theatre, Theatre in the Park, Pure Life Theatre, and Summer Storybook Theatre. As a teaching artist, he has worked with SAY, NCT, CYT, Raleigh Little Theatre, and Applause! Youth Theatre, TAP, The ArtsCenter, Seed Art Share, Burning Coal Theatre, and Starbright Little Players. In 2020 he was recognized as an “Outstanding Arts Educator” by Chatham Life + Style in their publication’s Best of the Year event. He currently serves as a member of Pure Life Theatre’s Core Leadership and as Seed Art Share’s Managing Director. In his free time, he writes plays for young audiences!
Shelby Barros (Antonia/Fermina/Horse) is very excited to perform in her first Justice Theater Project show! She has choreographed for the JTP summer camps and house-managed for JTP for many years. Some of her favorite theater credits include Violet in 9 to 5, Maurice in Madagascar: A Musical Adventure, Laurey in Oklahoma, Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie, and many more. Shelby is a proud BFA Musical Theatre graduate of Millikin University and a proud member of the Actor’s Equity membership candidate program. She hopes you enjoy the show just as much as she has enjoyed working on it!
Tim Fitch (Pedro) is delighted to make his Justice Theater Project debut with Man of La Mancha. Being part of such a talented cast is always a delight, and he is looking forward to many more productions with all of those involved. Tim has also appeared onstage with Raleigh Little Theatre, Forest Moon Theatre, and North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre. Thank you all for coming, and enjoy the show!
Sean Flynn (Jose/Knight’s Attendant) is thrilled to be in his first show with The Justice Theater Project! Sean has been acting in plays for nine years. Notable roles include Harriman F. Spritzer/Mr. Pinky (Hairspray), Pirate Ancestor (The Addams Family), Duncan Durbin (Aprés Opèra), Number One (The Girl Who Was Asked to Turn Blue), and Eddy (The Yellow Boat). He wishes to thank everyone who’s made this production possible and everyone reading this program for coming to see the show!
MK Gettinger (Governor’s Aide/Fight Captain) has been working in stage combat and intimacy work since 2019 and is making their first appearance in the tri-state area theater scene with Man of La Macha. They’re very excited to be back on stage and honored to work with this cast and crew throughout this experience.
Elizabeth Hankla (Aldonza/Dulcinea) is ecstatic to be making her Justice Theater Project debut. Her most recent show was Side by Side by Sondheim at NRACT, which was her first show after COVID had shut down the theater after only three performances of her last show in 2020. Elizabeth has been performing for over 20 years, studying vocal performance at The Juilliard School and Indiana University: Jacob's School of Music. Other roles include Katherine in Freaky Friday, NRACT; Jenny in It Shoulda Been You; Theatre in the Park, and Angelina in Trial By Jury; The Durham Savoyards, as well as the 2nd runner up in Raleigh Little Theater's 2019's Divas! Elizabeth wants to thank her family and friends for their undying love and support. There is no way she could continue to live her dreams without them.
Todd Hatlem (Prisoner/Knight’s Attendant) has been involved in the theater since 1974, working on-stage and behind the scenes in set construction, lighting, sound, props, and directing. One of his favorite roles has been “Captain Fisby” in the Rocky Mount, NC Playhouse production of Teahouse of the August Moon. He is also a published playwright, adapting Margery Williams’ beloved book The Velveteen Rabbit into a children’s one-act play. After a long absence, Todd is excited to be back on stage in The Justice Theater Project’s production Man of LaMancha as a raucous Muleteer.
Tony Hefner (Sancho Panza/Manservant) is thrilled to be part of this wonderful cast and crew for his first production with The Justice Theater Project. He was most recently seen as Tom/Phyllis/Leslie in Sylvia (Holly Springs Community Theater). Past favorites include Edna Turnblad in Hairspray (RLT), Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Guys And Dolls (Cary Players), and Jacob Marley in Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol (Actors Comedy Lab). Tony would like to thank his husband, Fred, along with Charlie, Jack, and Lucy, for their love and support.
Douglas Kapp (The Governor/Barber) is performing with The Justice Theater Project for a second time. Previously he was Elijah in JTP's Inherit the Wind. He appeared as The Herald in Bare Theatre's Marat Sade. Charlemagne in RLT's Pippin. Some of Doug’s favorite appearances were Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing and Rogers Canfield in Holy Ghosts. Other productions include Trojan Women, Richard III, Romeo And Juliet, Urinetown: The Musical, Fools and Macbeth. Short films include The Casserole Brigade and The Passing Storm. He has conducted several workshops with the NC School for the Blind. Douglas received his BA in Theatre from UNC Greensboro.
Taufiki Lee (Duke/Dr. Carrasco/Knight of the Mirrors) always gives glory and thanks to God. Taufiki has worked with various local theater companies, including The Justice Theater Project, TYTTA, Agape Theater, MOJOAA, WTF, and Li V Mahob. His most recent accomplishments were with both the NCCU theater department’s production of Howard Craft’s House of George, where he played the Reverend Bickerson, and Chatham Players in Pittsboro in Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park as Mr. Velasco. Taufiki is super excited to be working with this talented cast and crew and being a part of another Justice Theater Project production.
Debbie Litwak-Kring (Housekeeper) is delighted to return to The Justice Theater Project, where she was last seen as Mrs. Krebs (song leader) in Inherit the Wind. NC audiences have seen her in Cary Players’ Joseph…Dreamcoat (Mrs. Potiphar), Stageworks’ Deathtrap (Helga Ten Dorp), and NRACT’s Roe (Mary, mother of Jane Roe). New York credits include Pippin (Fastrada), Candide (The Old Woman), My Fair Lady (Eliza Doolittle), Oliver (Nancy), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Mrs. Meers), Oklahoma (Aunt Eller), Baby (Pam), Fiorello (Marie), The Music Man (Marian), Anything Goes (Reno), and Peter Pan (Peter). Special thanks to a wonderful cast and production team!
Ryan Madanick (Innkeeper) is thrilled to be performing in his first Justice Theater Project production! He returned to the stage in 2018 for the first time since his teenage years, after a brief 27-year hiatus, during which time he pursued a career as a physician. Since then, he has been in several local productions, including Something Rotten (Nostradamus); Joseph…(Potiphar/Issachar), Bright Star (Stanford), Bonnie & Clyde (Frank Hamer); These Shining Lives (Mr. Reed); & Fruitcakes (Beebo). In his distant past, he performed in Guys & Dolls (Nathan Detroit), Little Shop of Horrors (voice of Audrey II), Oliver (Artful Dodger), and Brighton Beach Memoirs (Jack). Ryan dedicates this performance to his children, without whom he would not have made it back to the theater.
Elena Montero Mulligan (Tenorio/Guitarist/Horse) is so grateful to be making her Justice Theater Project debut with such a great cast! An alumna of Meredith College, Elena holds degrees in Theatre and Biology. When not performing or working as a researcher at her day job, Elena teaches voice and piano at Bach to Rock Apex. Some previous credits include Jo March in Little Women the Musical (North Raleigh School of Music), Polpoch in Marat/Sade (Bare Theatre), and Mrs. Draper in Strike Up the Band (White Iris Light Opera).
Nile Richardson (Captain of Inquisition/Anselmo) has been a part of theater since he was eight years old. Over the years, he has developed his craft with opportunities from Springer Opera House, RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, and the Schwob School of Music. This show is Niles' first time working with the Justice Theater Project. He is grateful for the opportunity.
Derek Robinson (Miguel de Cervantes/Don Quixote/Alonso Quijana) is thrilled to make his Justice Theater Project debut in this bucket-list role. Some favorite performances: Nick Bottom in Something Rotten (Stone Soup), Father in Ragtime (Gallery Players), Albert Lennox in The Secret Garden (Theatre Raleigh), and Feuilly in Les Miserables with Aussie legend Normie Rowe. Love to Ally, Caleb, Liam & Marina. Keep arts in schools!
Noah Sennert (Paco/Knight’s Attendant) is really excited to be making his Justice Theater Project debut in this incredible production of Man of La Mancha! You may have seen him compete in Divas! 2020 and Divas! 2021 at Raleigh Little Theatre and Young Frankenstein at North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre. He would like to thank all his friends and family who have supported his endeavor in theater.
Karen Morgan Williams (Maria) is honored and thrilled to be back on stage with the Justice Theater Project, working with this amazing group of talented artists. Karen’s musical performance credits include Ragtime with The Justice Theater Project, Into The Woods, Memphis, Shrek, Freaky Friday, The Carols, Secret Garden, Gypsy, Little Women, Sister Act, Oliver!, and Music Man. Karen wants to thank her family and friends for their constant support and encouragement.
Katherine Anderson (Music Director) is happy to be music directing at The Justice Theater Project for the first time. She is a music director, voice and piano teacher, coach, accompanist, and performer. She has music directed and/or performed at many area theaters in Raleigh, Durham, Sanford, Fayetteville, and Burlington. Katherine has a Bachelor of Music from Meredith College in voice performance and musical theater with a minor in piano. Thank you to Jerry for the opportunity, to Adam, Yamila, and the cast for being so great to work with, and to her sister Rebecca and Lauren for helping create a great band.
Cory Arnold (Lighting Designer) has a B.A. in Music Business from Millikin University. Recent Lighting Design credits include Real Women Have Curves, Shadows, Every Brilliant Thing, Black Nativity in Concert, and Enemy of the People (The Justice Theater Project). Cory often uses his skills as an electrician at DPAC, PNC, and other regional venues. He is excited to be part of this production and thanks those who continue to support him in his pursuit of the arts.
Sally Beale (Costume Designer) began working on theater productions at the Granville Little Theatre in Oxford, NC, both on stage and off. Her favorite costuming shows were The Crucible and The Music Man. Sally went on to work for seven years at The Playhouse Community Theatre in Rocky Mount as their costume and prop designer. Her favorite shows there included Annie Get Your Gun, To Kill a Mockingbird, and The Diary of Anne Frank. She is excited to be working with this production of Man of La Mancha!
MK Gettinger (Fight/Intimacy Captain) has been working in stage combat and intimacy work since 2019 and is making their first appearance in the tri-state area theater scene with Man of La Macha. They’re very excited to be back on stage and honored to work with this cast and crew throughout this experience.
Juan Isler (Sound Designer) a native of Kinston, NC, grew up singing and earned a music-business degree at Winston-Salem State University in 1993. He worked as a deejay before coming to Raleigh, where he got a job as technical director at what is now Spectrum News in 2004. He has worked on more than 50 plays in venues across the Triangle on both sides of the stage, as an actor, technician, and director. He is the resident Sound Designer at The Justice Theater Project. He also serves on various boards, NRACT and Beltline To Broadway, and is on the core leadership committee at Pure Life Theater. He is an active member of the American Theater Critics Association and a recipient of the Raleigh Arts Commission’s Medal of Arts award. He is the host of the show “TORN,” where he is one of the public faces of the online hub Beltline To Broadway (beltlinetobroadway.org, formerly RDU On Stage). All of this, while working as an event coordinator at NC State University.
Jeff A.R. Jones (Fight & Intimacy Director) has staged fights and/or intimacy for over 175 shows in theater, opera, and ballet. His fights have received rave reviews in The Washington Post and The New York Times. Jeff is a Fight Director, Certified Teacher, and Theatrical Firearms Instructor with the Society of American Fight Directors and a Certified Intimacy Director with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators. He is on faculty at Elon and William Peace University. Contact jarjones@att.net about fight classes with Collaborative Combat Movement Arts (also on FaceBook) in Raleigh or the upcoming Triangle Intimacy Lab.
Yamila Monge (Stage Manager) is very excited to be Stage Managing for this production of Man of La Mancha! This is Yamila’s first production with The Justice Theater Project, and she is thankful for the opportunity. Yamila has worked closely with Theatre in the Park in the past, and some of her favorites include, Of Good Stock, Dracula, A Christmas Carol and The Dresser. She is so honored to work with such a talented group of individuals. Yamila would like to give a special thanks to her friends for always supporting her creative efforts! Theater has always been a gift, and Yamila is happy to be able to continue to share it with others.
Jeffrey Nugent (Set Designer/Master Carpenter) has been active with Triangle theater groups for more than 20 years as an actor, designer, props wrangler, builder, ninja, etc. He is excited to collaborate with the amazing cast, crew, and production team in telling this wonderful story. Thanks to them for sharing their gifts and to YOU for supporting our passion. Enjoy the show!
Adam Twiss (Director) is an award-winning theater actor, director, producer, educator, and administrator, with extensive credits in each capacity. A New England native with strong roots in Boston, Adam now resides in Wilson, North Carolina, with his family and is delighted to be working with The Justice Theater Project for the first time. After a tremendous eleven-year stint as Director of Theater for Barton College, Adam now serves as Director of the Paramount Theater in Goldsboro, NC, a municipal Department Head for this culturally diverse, artistically progressive City. Adam continues to establish collaborative performing arts initiatives within the community that raise the bar on locally produced theater and encourage broad participation in the arts. Adam’s educational credentials include a B.A. from Brandeis University, a B.F.A. from Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and an M.F.A. in Acting and Directing from Brown University/Trinity Rep Consortium. His work has garnered extensive critical acclaim and awards, including the Rita and London Lloyd Award for Artistic Excellence, Richard Kavanagh Award for Acting, Faculty Member of the Year, and numerous “Best Of” nominations for annual productions in the Triangle. Adam has served on several arts-related boards and is actively involved with his children’s schools and sports activities. If you have spent any time in the Northeast, you have undoubtedly seen him as the mustached W.B. Mason, a commercial character he has portrayed in advertising for TV, print, billboards, Major League Baseball’s outfield walls, and the iconic, yellow, W.B. Mason trucks since 2001.
Sage Amthor Twiss (Props Designer) can either be found in downtown Raleigh as the Production Manager of Red Hat Amphitheater or in pretty much any other venue in the area doing pretty much anything. She is thrilled to pieces to finally be collaborating with the much adored, Adam Twiss! Huge thank you to Wife Andrea and all the kiddos Hazel, Seneca, Isabel, and Elijah!!
