Click for Long Synopsis, from the Original Broadway Cast Recording

MEET THE DIRECTOR

MARIA GERAKIOS - Maria was last seen on the FWP stage as the ditsy, tap-dancing fiend Dorothy, in last season's “Stepping Out”. Her favorite acting credits include: “Romantic Comedy”, “Lost in Yonkers”, “The Odd Couple”, and “The Women” all at 8 O’Clock Theatre. Directorial credits include “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Sweet Charity” at 8 O’clock Theatre and other shows too numerous to mention in her years of directing theatre at Countryside High School. She is currently a teacher of senior English Honors and AP Literature at Countryside High School and she would like to acknowledge her students both past and present for their daily inspiration. She sends thanks to her mother, Esther, and to the rest of her family for everything they do, and a special, final acknowledgment goes to her Don Quixote, tonight and always, for his encouragement, talent and love.

MEET THE MUSICAL DIRECTOR

MARK JELKS - Mark has done terrific jobs on all of our FWP musicals this year; the most recent being the memorable “Unsinkable Molly Brown”. Mark has been a part of nearly every aspect of the performing arts. He has trained and performed as a dancer internationally and musically directed the national tours for such shows as “Evita”, “A Chorus Line”, and “Sweeney Todd”. In 1994 he was the pianist and casting assistant for Tony award winning revival of “Carousel” at New York City's Lincoln Center and the highly acclaimed Broadway production of Mathew Bourne's “Swan Lake”. Mark would like to thank his partner Anthony for his never ending support.

MEET THE CHOREOGRAPHER

CHERIE ALBURY - The multi-talented Cherie played “Molly Brown” for FWP just last January and here she is doing another of the things she does best, choreography. She won a LARY Award for her choreography of “Pippin'” at the Royalty Theatre which is where she also choreographed “The King & I”, “Little Shop of Horrors”, “Fiddler on the Roof”, “Sullivan and Gilbert” and “A Little Night Music”, amongst others. Most recently, she choreographed “Damn Yankees” for 8 O’Clock Theatre. The Francis Wilson Playhouse is delighted to have her share her marvelous talent with us for “Man of La Mancha”.

Director's Notes

Because a theatrical production of this magnitude is never the result of a single person, I wish to extend a sincere thank you to the Francis Wilson Board of Directors and to Ray Kenney for affording me the opportunity to direct one of the most hauntingly beautiful musicals of our time. Much thanks to my family; Anna, Manuel, and Esther (my Mom), and my friends. Thank yous also to "CJ" Rosemire, James Grenelle, Dianna Hanger, Thorn Duke, Mickey & Milt Bronson, Sharon Price, Cherie Albury, Mark Jelks, James Demetrius, my talented cast and crew.

Most importantly - I thank you, our audience, who sit wrapped in the cool darkness of the theatre trusting us to guide you to on a journey - a journey where each of you will assume the role of prisoner during this dark time in history.

The cast and crew welcome you to the world of Don Quixote de La Mancha – a world where the base find lost honor, where wrong is vanquished by right, where chivalry conquers ignominy, and where hope enlivens the hopeless...but not without a price.

A dungeon cell during the Spanish Inquisition is the physical setting of this show; however, the imaginings of one man - a man who sees the world and its people not as appearance suggests but as soul demands - provide the real journey.

Because we also live in particularly difficult times, perhaps setting our sights on "chasing" a few "windmills" will do more for our psyches than just providing us with a whimsical cliché.

Maria Gerakios, Director

Cast of Characters

Captain of the Inquisition .......................................................... “CJ" Rosemire

Prisoner ..................................................................................Darlene Giannuzzi

Manservant (Sancho Panza) ...........................................................Kurt Gawlik

Miguel De Cervantes/Don Quixote/Alonso Quijana ....... James Demetrius

Governor/Innkeeper.....................................................................Greg Giannuzzi

Duke .............................................................................................Gene Kachurak

Paco/Guard/Barber.......................................................................Tim Magdison

Anselmo/Guard.............................................................................. David Bostick

Tenorio............................................................................................Dave Edwards

Jose .......................................................................................................Mike Pollet

Aldonza/Dulcinea....................................................... Kathleen Goelz-Edwards

Maria/Housekeeper ..................................................................Kaela Flanagan

Fermina.................................................................................................. Jolie Hart

Antonio............................................................................................... Cheri Albury

Padre/Pedro...........................................................................................Trey Ryan

Dr. Carrasco/Knight of the Mirrors..........................................Gene Kachurak

Moorish girl ........................................................................................... Jolie Hart

Attendants to the Knight ................................. ......Trey Ryan, Tim Magdison,

.............................................................................Greg Giannuzzi, David Bostick

Horses .........................................................David Bostick, Timothy Magdison,

Meet the Cast

CHERIE ALBURY (Antonia) - Cherie has won four LARY Awards; for acting, in “Oklahoma” (City Players), “Nunsense” (8 O’Clock Theatre “EOT”), for choreography with “Pippin'” (Royalty Theatre) and for costume design with “Gigi” (Richie Suncoast Theater). You last saw her here as the unstoppable, upbeat heroine of The “Unsinkable Molly Brown” and she now loans us her talents for the “Man of La Mancha”.

DAVID BOSTICK - (Anselmo) This is David's 5th performance at FWP. He appeared here most recently with the Gilbert & Sullivan Player's “Ruddigore” in which he played a “spirited" fellow. He teaches fifth grade at North Ward Elementary and he would like to dedicate this show to his beautiful daughter, Sophia, who brings him joy and inspiration every day.

JAMES DEMETRIUS (Cervantes/Don Quixote) - Of all the roles Jim's played in 30 plus years, “La Mancha” is his favorite. Like Quixote he still believes in heroes and thus has tilted at windmills his whole life. He sends many thanks to Dr. G. for keeping him going, Pookie for her never ending belief, and to his mother, Patricia Duncan, who recently passed away. This was her favorite show and he deeply regrets she won't be able to be in the audience. "This one’s for you Ma!"

DAVID EDWARDS (Tenorio) - David has performed in several shows at FWP but most recently you've seen him in “Six Guns & Sasparilla” (EOT) and in “My Fair Lady” (Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center “TSPAC”). He's also performed in “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” (8 O’Clock Theatre), “Getting Momma Married” (Early Bird Theatre), “Carousel” (City Players) and in “La Cage aux Folles” and “Oliver” (FWP). To his wife, Kathleen, "I love you!"

KAELA FLANAGAN (Housekeeper/Maria) - Kaela is 16 years old and a sophomore at Clearwater High School. This is her first, and definitely not her last, show at FWP. She loves theatre and the stage and hopes never to part with it and she sends thanks to everyone who has supported her through this adventure.

KURT GAWLICK (Sancho Panza) - Kurt feels privileged to be working with Maria again and to be involved with such a talented cast. Kurt's first show at FWP was “Detective Story” in 1989 and since then some of his favorite roles have been in “Cabaret”, “110 In the Shade” and “The Goodbye Girl” all at EOT. Kurt is dedicating his performances to the wonderful folks at "Castle in the Park."

DARLENE GIANNUZZI (Prisoner) - This is Darlene's debut at FWP and she thanks Maria for the opportunity to be in this production.

GREG GIANNUZZI (Governor/Innkeeper) - Greg hopes every one of you achieve your Impossible Dream. OK, he knows that's corny, but he means it, and there are seven people staring at him, forcing him to write "something", and he is hungry.

KATHLEEN GOELZ-EDWARDS (Aldonza/Dulcinea) -Kathleen is very honored to be working with this talented group. Her last appearance of several at FWP was in “Oliver”, you've also seen her here in “Stepping Out”, “Of Thee I Sing” and “Brigadoon” (Lary Award). She recently appeared as Eliza in “My Fair Lady” at TSPAC. She sends many thanks to Maria and Mark for the opportunity to be a part of this great production. Love and Kisses to my husband, David, from your little "Ho"!

JOLIE HART (Fermina/Moorish girl) - A senior at Countryside High School, this is Jolie's 3rd show at FWP; you may remember seeing her in “The Unsinkable Molly Brown”. She has had considerable experience at Countryside including parts in “Peter Pan”, “Schoolhouse Rock Live”, “Moby Dick-the Musical”, “Grease” and ”My Name is Alice”. If Johnny Depp is in the audience, please meet me backstage after the show.

GENE KACHURAK (Dr. Carrasco/Knight of the Mirrors) -Gene is pretty excited to be performing at FWP! Although this is his debut here, he has many local theatre credits, for a few: “Fiddler On the Roof” (TSPAC), “Murder at the Howard Johnson's” (Angel Theatre), “Much Ado About Nothing” (TSPAC), and “New Odd Couple” (Angel Theatre). He is also an experienced Stage Manager. He truly enjoys the theatre and regrets that his work keeps him from performing more often. His motto is; "Life is a daring adventure or nothing". - Helen Keller

TIMOTHY MAGDISON (Paco) - Timothy began acting when he was 4 years old. He has performed at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Church of the Ascension, St. Paul's School and Tampa Preparatory School. He is excited about his first performance at FWP because he is following in the footsteps of his great aunt, Dorothy Dimmitt Baxter, who performed here in the 1930's and 40's.

MIKE POLLETT (Jose) - Born and raised in New York City, Mike came to Florida in 1988. He has performed in NYC and sang in the All City Chorus there. Currently, he's bank manager for a Largo branch of BB&T, and performs with the Heralds of Harmony. He and his wife, Mary Jane, and children, David and Michelle, reside in Kenneth City.

 "CJ" ROSEMIRE (Captain of the Guard/Stage Manager) -"CJ" couldn't resist the uniform when asked to perform in Man of La Mancha. As Stage Manager, he gets to be a sort of Captain of the Guard - in reality and he hopes you'll enjoy the result of the cast and crew’s hard work. He dedicates his performance to his Mom, Grandmother, and his Uncle Jim.

TREY RYAN (Padre/Pedro) - Trey hails from Jacksonville but has been here long enough to hit the boards many times. You've seen him at FWP in “Monky Business” as the remarkable mute Monk and in “Guys and Dolls” (City Players), “Nightwatch” (West Coast Players), and “Beauty and the Beast” (EOT).

Musical Numbers

Overture.............................................................................. Orchestra

Prison Scene.....................................................Flamenco, Cantaor

Man of La Mancha ............................................. Quixote & Sancho

It's all the Same..............................................Aldonza & Muleteers

Dulcinea.........................................Quixote, Anselmo & Muleteers

I'm Only Thinking of Him............Antonia, Padre & Housekeeper

The Missive.............................................................................Sancho

I Really Like Him....................................................................Sancho

What Does He Want of Me? .............................................. Aldonza

Little Bird, Little Bird ....... Quixote, Anselmo, Pedro & Muleteers

Barber's Song ........................................................................ Barber

Golden Helmet of Mambrino ...............................Quixote, Barber,

............................................................................Sancho & Muleteers

To Each His Dulcinea..............................................................Padre

The Impossible Dream........................................................Quixote

The Dubbing..................................................... Innkeeper, Quixote

Knight of the Woeful Countenance....... Innkeeper & Ensemble

The Abduction.................................... Anselmo, Padre & Fermina

Man of La Mancha (Reprise)...............................................Quixote

Moorish Dance................................................................ Ensemble

Aldonza ................................................................................. Aldonza

A Little Gossip.......................................................................Sancho

Dulcinea (Reprise) ............................................................ Aldonza

The Impossible Dream (Reprise) ....................................Quixote

Man of La Mancha (Reprise).......... Quixote, Sancho & Aldonza

The Psalm................................................................................Padre

Finale .........................................................................Full Company

Orchestra

Conductor/Piano ...........................................................Mark Jelks

Guitar ............................................................... Connie Youngman

Percussion .................................................................Allan Brooks

Flute/Piccolo................................................................... Julie Tatro

Clarinet/Saxophone................................................Bob Poloncarz

Trumpet...........................................................................Joe Bonelli