NEW WORLD PERFORMANCE LAB’S “DON QUIJOTE” RETURNS TO BALCH STREET THEATRE
“Whimsical…heartbreaking…highly physical” theatre for the whole family
Akron, OH –New World Performance Laboratory (NWPL) presents the return of“Don Quijote,” its wildly successful, bilingual adaptation of Cervantes’ enduring fable of the man of La Mancha, based on a version by Argentine playwright Patricia Suarez. The production will have its reprise engagement for three weeks at The Balch Street Theatre beginning September 14, 2018 through September 29, 2018. Performances are Friday and Saturday, September 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, at 8pm; Saturday, September 29 at 4pm; and Sunday, September 16, 23, at 2pm. The Balch Street Theatre is located at 220 South Balch Street, Akron Oh, 44302. Tickets are $15 general admission; $10 students; and are available online at https://quijote.bpt.me or by calling 330-867-3299. Seating is limited. In October, NWPL will be performing a number of sold-out school performances of the play.
When it premiered in May 2018, Northeast Ohio theatre critics called NWPL’s “Don Quijote” “stunning, electrifying and innovative,” “whimsical…heartbreaking… and highly physical.” The playchronicles the fantastic adventures of a self-created knight-errant (considered “loco” by his family and friends) and his reluctantly faithful squire, Sancho Panza. Don Quijote embarks on a quest to right the wrongs of the world and ends up teaching us all what it is to be human: to love, to dream, to fail, and most of all, to laugh. The play is performed in both Spanish and English, with classic Spanish songs, and is suitable for families. NWPL’s dynamic physical performance style allows the story to be understood by all.
“Don Quijote” is directed by NWPL co-artistic director James Slowiak, with costume design by Inda Blatch-Geib and Dred Geib, lighting design by Chris Hariasz, and scenic design and technical direction by Kirsten Williams. Actors include NWPL long time company members Chris Buck, Justin Hale, Rosilyn Jentner, and Debora Totti, with NWPL co-artistic director Jairo Cuesta playing the role of Don Quijote and company member Jamie Hale as Sancho Panza. James Marron and Adam Keeler alternate as featured guitarist, playing James Marron’s arrangements of traditional Spanish songs.
“Don Quijote” marks the culmination of NWPL’s 25th anniversary season. Funding for the project has come from The Char and Chuck Fowler Family Foundation, Ohio Arts Council, and the Akron Community Foundation.
(See here for additional production photos.)
NWPL 