As the Homecoming Musical is getting closer, the Department of Theatre is pulling out all stops preparing for Man of La Mancha, a musical based on a portion of the classic novel Don Quixote by Cervantes.
“This is a show that is meant to inspire and give hope in a dark world,” said Kari Hatfield, associate professor of voice and movement, who is assisting the alumni director with preparations.
Because it takes place in a prison for much of the musical, the theatre department wants the show to help people realize that there is still hope when things look bleak. It is also giving hope to the leading cast of the musical as they have prepared.
Preparation for this year’s homecoming musical is different because alumni director Jesse Galvan has been in New York City working as a wardrobe supervisor for the Broadway musical On Your Feet. He was in Abilene for the first rehearsal and the first read-through-sing-through, but has since been Skyping in or sending his directors’ notes to Hatfield, who then navigates people on stage here in Abilene.
The set is also different this year because it will stretch out over the orchestra pit in the Abilene Civic Center. The orchestra will be located, instead, behind the set, providing a closer look to the action in the prison on stage.
Because of the size of the civic center and the large set, the theatre department is building the set backwards in Fulk’s Theatre in the Williams Performing Arts Center. It will be dismantled then relocated to the civic center next week.
Hatfield said it hasn’t been difficult having leaders and directors all across the U.S, only different. It has been a good way to show students how quickly theatre moves to put on a show in such little time. The rehearsal and preparation pace is expected to increase once Galvan starts leading rehearsals.
Showtimes include Oct. 21-22 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 23 at 2 p.m. All performances will be at the Abilene Civic Center downtown. Purchase tickets online at acu.edu/theatre or stop by the box office anytime between 1-5 p.m. Monday – Friday.
