Man of La Mancha &
Kite Runner Reviews
by Merrie West

Man of La Mancha
Carmel’s Pacific Repertory Theatre

The first time I saw Man of La Mancha I fell in love with the music but was a bit confused by the plot. A play within a play, one has to realize that the story of Don Quixote lives in the mind of author, actor, and tax-collector Miguel de Cervantes who has been thrown into a dungeon by the late 16th century Spanish Inquisition. Other productions I have seen have been performed on a proscenium stage with massive and technically intricate sets. Sitting in the intimate 100-seat Carmel theater I was able to enjoy like never before the comedy and passion of author Dale Wasserman’s story.

Director Kenneth Kelleher has staged the musical simply on a central platform resembling the stone of the dungeon floor. A wooden trap door situated a bit off center lifts to become benches and reveals a turntable operated by a simple rope pulley hidden under the platform and operated by the actors. This turntable is effectively used when Antonia, Quixote’s niece (Erica Racz), and the housekeeper (El Beh) express their embarrassment of Quixote to the Padre (David Gordon) in “I’m Only Thinking of Him.”

Another of the production’s innovations is the treatment of the orchestration. Since the performance space lacks room for an orchestra, Music Director David Gordon (who also plays the Padre) rewrote the orchestration for guitar and voices. Hidden in four areas behind aisles the performers not on stage vocalize the accompaniment, imitating musical instruments. Sitting on the aisle, I was mesmerized by the vocal sounds of El Beh (Maria, Housekeeper, Moorish Girl) who was usually situated behind me during these “vocal instrumentals.” Although I was tempted to turn around to see where the music was coming from, the clever staging kept my focus throughout the production. Classical guitarist Terrence Farrell masterfully provides guitar accompaniment, enhancing the flavor of the simple yet unique handling of the score.

Playing Miguel de Cervantes is local actor Paul Myrvold. Having played the role several times in the past, Paul has honed Cervantes to perfection. His transformation from arrested criminal to story teller to the dying Don Quixote is both masterful and magical. Upon applying a mustache and goatee he becomes the Knight-errant, Don Quixote de La Mancha who sets out with his squire Sancho Panza to re-enact the pages of Cervantes’ precious manuscript. A master of interpretation, Myrvold vocally thrills us with “Man of La Mancha, “Dulcinea” and the powerful “Impossible Dream.” However when he dons the barber’s shaving basin and sings “The Golden Helmet of Manbrino” he is at the height of his character’s eccentricity. I have inside information that Myrvold has used this same helmet every time he has played the Man of La Mancha and its dents and dings give testimony to the fact.

Mike Baker, as the manservant Sancho Panza is endearing in his delivery of “I Really Like Him.” His energy is just right for providing comic relief throughout the production.

Lydia Lyons as Aldonza/Dulcinea displays the rough around the edges qualities her character, a part time serving wench and prostitute, demands. Flabbergasted and later annoyed by Quixote’s kindness she sings the “Dulcinea” reprise with the tenderness of someone who has truly been touched by Quixote’s devotion. Lydia will soon appear in San Jose Stage Company’s production of The Great American Trailer Park Musical opening May 27.

The entire cast of fourteen, who in some cases play multiple roles, is outstanding. Their energy for 110 minutes with no intermission never lets up. Man of La Mancha has been referred to as an exquisite musical play. PacRep’s production proves the reference to be correct. Future productions at Pac Rep: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? April 30 – May 17; The Blue Room May 28 – July 18; and Laughter on the 23rd Floor June 18 – July 19.

~ Merrie West

The Kite Runner
San Jose Repertory Theater

The Kite Runner is a powerful and haunting story of family and friendship, betrayal and salvation. Based on the novel first published in 2003 it enables us better to understand the history and culture of Afghanistan. It also inspires a deep reverence for all humanity.

San Jose Rep spent 18 months meeting and negotiating to find financial support and the perfect director, cast and design team that would allow them to bring this beautiful story to the stage.

It is the story of Amir, born and raised as part of an affluent Afghanistan family but forced to flee his homeland because of tumultuous social and political upheaval. When, as a college educated successful writer, he returns to Afghanistan he finds it is not the country he remembers. Although the story is a fictional account of the life of one man, it depicts the true social, political and religious climate of the country. Amir is a Sunni Muslim, a Pashtun. His childhood friend Hassan, the son of his father’s servant. is a Hazara, a Shia Muslim considered to be of a lower caste and only fit for undesirable jobs and with little or no access to education. Although the two boys grow up together in the same household, sharing the same wet nurse, they are socially worlds apart. When, after a kite running outing, Hassan is attacked by local bullies, Amir is not brave enough to defend him. Shameful events and his own cowardice cause Amir to falsely accuse Hassan of stealing and he convinces his father to dismiss his faithful servant, Hassan’s father. Although Hassan knows the truth of what has happened, his loyalty prevents him from disclosing the truth and he leaves with his father.

When the Soviets invade Afghanistan Amir and his father escape to a new life in California where Amir attends college, becomes a writer and marries, but is unable to leave the memory of Hassan behind him. When he learns that Hassan has been murdered and his child is in an orphanage, Amir returns to his native country to find the child. A series of horrifying events follow culminating in the attempted suicide of Hassan’s child. As he waits for the doctor to announce the fate of the child Amir goes down on his knees and begins to pray for the life of the child and for forgiveness for his sins against Hassan.

Of all the productions I have seen in my life, I have never been so moved by an actor. Barzin Akhavan, in the role of Amir is incredible. He offers the whole gambit of emotions, changing as the character grows and matures. He is innocent, cocky, smart, wise, frightened and contrite. He makes us laugh out loud and cry with tears streaming down our cheeks.  Craig Piaget who plays the young Amir does a fine job as a bright but emotionally torn youth. Young Hassan and Hassan’s son are played by Lowell Abellon who is believable as the uneducated youth who worships Amir and lives to be a kite runner. Especially noteworthy is Adam Yazbeck playing the cruel bully and later the amoral owner of the orphanage.

The simple set, designed by Vicki Smith, enhances but never distracts from the moving story. Director David Ira Goldstein has cleverly choreographed the kite flying scenes placing both young and old Amir center stage at the same time. Not to be overlooked is Salar Nader composer and tabla player. Native rhythms are heard throughout the production, executed by a musician who remains stationary on the stage.

The Kite Runner is not to be missed. San Jose Rep has extended its run through April 29. I have no doubt that it will continue to be sought after by theater companies world wide. If you were not lucky enough to see the world premier keep your eye open for it in the future.

~ Merrie West

Opening in May

Ballet San José offers up Song & Dance May 7 – 10 at San Jose’s Center for the Performing Arts. Song & Dance promises dance set to music with songs. New York City Ballet principal dancer Nilas Martins’ “Puccini Songs” is a classical ballet for three couples set to eleven operatic songs by Giacomo Puccini performed with live voice and piano accompaniment. Antony Tudor’s “Dark Elegies” is regarded as one of the greatest ballets of the 20th century. Set to Gustav Mahler’s “Kindertotenlieder,” this 1937 setting of poems by Rückert is a true masterpiece for the ages. And, Twyla Tharp has set “Nine Sinatra Songs” to recordings by old “Blue Eyes” himself including “High Hopes,” “Fly Me To The Moon,” “One More for My Baby (and One More for the Road),” and many more Sinatra favorites.

Pacific Repertory Company follows up its hit Man of La Mancha with Edward Albee’s now classic Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? Running April 30 – May 17 in the Golden Bough Theatre, the show is directed by resident artist John Rousseau and features resident actors Michael D Jacobs and Julie Hughett as George and Martha, the arch-monsters of American theatre, who have enthralled and appalled audiences for 50 years, as they return for another bout of marital warfare and “Get the Guests.”

South Valley Civic Theatre revives Annie Get Your Gun May 17 – June 6 in the Morgan Hill Community Playhouse. The show features Sandi Lewandowski in the title role and Rob Christopher as Frank Butler surrounded by a cast of dozens. Who can forget songs like “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” “You Can’t Get a Man With a Gun,” “They Say It’s Wonderful,” “Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better)” and many more? Irving Berlin at his song writing best.

San Benito Stage Company stages their young performers’ production of Disney’s Aladdin, Jr. May 1 – 10 at the Granada Theatre in Hollister.

And Don’t Forget… The Great American Trailer Park Musical at San Jose Stage Company May 27 – June 21 featuring Lydia Lyons, Donna Torres Koss and other sterling performers in the Stage’s intimate theatre… Gavilan Theatre Arts presents the ever popular Godspell May 1 – 9 in the College Theater…Travel to Berkeley to see the greatly anticipated The Lieutenant Of Inishmore at Berkeley Rep through May 10. It’s “a shocking script” from Martin McDonagh, Oscar Award-winning author of In Bruges. Nearby at Aurora Theatre Company, a well-received Miss Julie by August Strindberg runs through May 17. The San Francisco Chronicle calls it, “A magnetic, multifaceted dance of fear, curiosity, forbidden-fruit flirtation, desire, abandon, recriminations and sympathy”…And there is still just enough time to see and hear that Bizet favorite Carmen revived by Opera San José at the California Theatre through May 3.

~ Paul Myrvold

	~Paul Myrvold has been a member of actors equity since 1972. He is currently performing in My Fair Lady at the Western Stage in Salinas. Send your theatre information to Paul at outabout@garlic.com