The Impossible Dream
Last night, Mitch and I drove to Saginaw to see "Man of La Mancha." I have, on occasion, jokingly given credit to this show for bringing us together--Mitch played Cervantes in high school, it's one of my favorite shows, and that shared information led to a long chat at our first meeting. But, after seeing the show last night, I wonder if perhaps it is not such a joke, after all...
What amazes us both about the show is the beauty of the language and the poetic idealism of Don Quixote's "madness." In the scene leading up to "The Impossible Dream," Quixote holds vigil, and chastises himself for wondering how future generations will regard his brave deeds:
Maker of empty boasts...
on this of all nights to give way to vanity.
No. Don Quixote, take a deep breath of life...
and consider how it should be lived.
Call nothing thine except thy soul.
Love not what thou art, only what thou may become.
Do not pursue pleasure...
or thou mayest have the misfortune to overtake it.
Look always forward.
In last year's nests...
there are no birds this year.
Be just to all men, courteous to all women.
Live in the vision...
of the one for whom great deeds are done...
I come in a world of iron...
to make a world of gold.
Wasserman outdid himself with the script for this play. The sentiments are painfully beautiful, the story both simple and complex, and the ideals those that so few actually strive to live up to. I think it says a lot about a person simply if this is their favorite musical. But if they should chance to truly understand and internalize the seemingly "mad" ideals of Quixote, Sancho, and eventually Aldonza, they are a truly rare breed.
On a lighter note, the production itself was quite good. They had a few opening night problems with tempo at the beginning, but quickly recovered, and by the second act were nearly perfect. It is rare that you see old men crying in the theatre, but the old man next to me did, even as I was brushing away my own tears. It is a shame that it is not performed more often, as the story alone is powerful, but it requires that the performers be able to both sing and act VERY well, or it will suffer. Luckily, we saw a production where every one of the actors gave their heart, and had the vocal and acting talent to back it up.
What amazes us both about the show is the beauty of the language and the poetic idealism of Don Quixote's "madness." In the scene leading up to "The Impossible Dream," Quixote holds vigil, and chastises himself for wondering how future generations will regard his brave deeds:
Maker of empty boasts...
on this of all nights to give way to vanity.
No. Don Quixote, take a deep breath of life...
and consider how it should be lived.
Call nothing thine except thy soul.
Love not what thou art, only what thou may become.
Do not pursue pleasure...
or thou mayest have the misfortune to overtake it.
Look always forward.
In last year's nests...
there are no birds this year.
Be just to all men, courteous to all women.
Live in the vision...
of the one for whom great deeds are done...
I come in a world of iron...
to make a world of gold.
Wasserman outdid himself with the script for this play. The sentiments are painfully beautiful, the story both simple and complex, and the ideals those that so few actually strive to live up to. I think it says a lot about a person simply if this is their favorite musical. But if they should chance to truly understand and internalize the seemingly "mad" ideals of Quixote, Sancho, and eventually Aldonza, they are a truly rare breed.
On a lighter note, the production itself was quite good. They had a few opening night problems with tempo at the beginning, but quickly recovered, and by the second act were nearly perfect. It is rare that you see old men crying in the theatre, but the old man next to me did, even as I was brushing away my own tears. It is a shame that it is not performed more often, as the story alone is powerful, but it requires that the performers be able to both sing and act VERY well, or it will suffer. Luckily, we saw a production where every one of the actors gave their heart, and had the vocal and acting talent to back it up.