A Return to the Quest of a Lifetime

"The Impossible Dream" from the Classic Musical Man of La Mancha

Man of La Mancha is a 1965 musical with a book by Dale Wasserman, lyrics by Joe Darion, and music by Mitch Leigh. Adapted from Wasserman's 1959 non-musical teleplay, Don Quixote, 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.

With lyrics like "To right the unrightable wrong," "To try when your arms are too weary," and "To fight for the right," the song "The Impossible Dream" performed above by Chris Caputo, has become one of the most recognized musical standards of all time and is first sung by Don Quixote as he stands vigil over his armor, in response to Aldonza's question about what he means by "following the quest." The song is later reprised partially three more times, the last by the prisoners in the dungeon, as Cervantes and his manservant mount the drawbridge-like and leave the prison to face trial.

The RCT Musical Theater Production of Man of La Mancha ran from September 18 thru 27, 2015 in Orange County, California at the Rose Center Theater. Chris Caputo as Miguel de Cervantes/Don Quixote, and Melissa Cook as Aldonza/Dulcinea lead the talented cast. Director and Musical Director Tim Nelson, was joined by Choreographer Amanda Hinchee.