Musical Theatre Southwest revives 'Man of La Mancha'

Robb A. Sisneros is having a full-circle moment, directing Dale Wasserman’s classic Tony Award-winning musical “Man of La Mancha” at Musical Theatre Southwest, 36 years after he first acted in “La Mancha” with the same theater company.

“At the time, it was their 100th production,” he said.

In the intervening years, while exploring his own genealogy, Sisneros found he had a personal connection to the story.

“It was an awakening for me to relate my cultural ties to the story. I am of Hispanic descent and discovered Sephardic roots in my family tree. As the years have passed, I have discovered leaves on my family tree have fallen on both sides of the Spanish Inquisition story, including one grand inquisitor, Francisco Cisneros,” he said.

Musical Theatre Southwest revives 'Man of La Mancha'

When most people think of “La Mancha,” they probably envision Miguel de Cervantes’ legendary knight-errant, Don Quixote, valiantly singing “The Impossible Dream.” But the true focus of the musical is Cervantes himself, who was persecuted in the Spanish Inquisition.

“Cervantes escaped execution but was excommunicated by the Catholic Church for heresy. It is believed that this time in prison was in part inspiration for his novel,” Sisneros said.

At the end of the musical, “The Impossible Dream” is poignantly reprised by Cervantes’ fellow prisoners, and Sisneros made sure to cast “a talented and diverse cast representing prisoners of the period,” Sisneros said.

“While I know many of the Latino communities feel a connection to the source material — the story of Don Quixote — because of the original language, it is important to understand that Spain is not Latino, it is Hispanic. Spain is very much a part of Europe and people of color were outsiders, especially during the time our story takes place. Prisoners in a Spanish prison during the Inquisition were primarily Jewish people and Moors.”

The Spanish Inquisition may seem far removed from life in New Mexico today, but Sisneros points to a shared history.

“The reach of the Inquisition was not just felt in the Iberian Peninsula of Europe, but worldwide as Spain encompassed so much of the world – including our area now known as New Mexico,” he said. “The hidden Sephardic community has deep roots here, specifically due to the Inquisition. So, this story is connected to me — and I to it.”

The dual roles of Cervantes and Don Quixote are played by Matthew Miller, who has been seen recently in MTS’s “Into the Woods” and Albuquerque Little Theatre’s “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

“He brings a strong performance background and a lot of genuine heart to the performance,” Sisneros said.

He is joined by Sancho Panza, played by Ryan Pennington, who was last seen in MTS’s productions of “Sweeney Todd” and “Hunchback of Notre Dame.”

“His incredible voice and acting talents are complimented by those of the talented Tasha Booth as Aldonza and Dulcinea,” Sisneros said.

Booth has a career in regional and touring productions, along with local performances such as MTS’s “Hunchback of Notre Dame,” “Rent” and “Wild Party.”

Sisneros calls them a “powerhouse trio.”

“We are taking the audience into the prison and into the mind of Cervantes to learn the inspirational story and message of his novel,” he said.

Sisneros sees echoes of the Inquisition in the rise of xenophobic and Christian nationalist political discourse in the United States. “We are seeing history repeat itself,” he said. “A country trying to rid itself of foreign ethnicities while using religion to justify its actions.”

Sisneros’ production of “La Mancha” tackles these themes head-on without succumbing to despondency.

“There is also a message of resistance and hope for those being persecuted,” he said. “That ‘impossible dream.’”