Opera Saratoga’s Season of Impossible Dreams: Man of La Mancha

In partnership with The Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Opera Saratoga will present MAN OF LA MANCHA, the Tony Award winning musical, featuring Broadway and Opera star Zachary James in the role of Cervantes / Don Quixote; and Opera Saratoga favorite, Kelly Glyptis, returning to Saratoga Springs as Aldonza. The production, directed and choreographed by Opera Saratoga’s Artistic and General Director Lawrence Edelson in full compliance with New York State COVID safety guidelines, will feature projection and lighting design by Barry Steele, costumes by Glenn Avery Breed, and will be conducted by Laura Bergquist – who most recently led the musical Allegiance on Broadway. The beloved musical, with a book by Dale Wasserman, music by Mitch Leigh, and lyrics by Joe Darion, was inspired by Miguel de Cervantes’ 17th Century masterpiece Don Quixote. A universal tale of love, hope, and adventure, Man of La Mancha celebrates the perseverance of one man who refuses to relinquish his ideals, and who is determined to see life not as it is, but as it ought to be. The celebrated score includes “The Impossible Dream,” “I, Don Quixote,” “Dulcinea,” “I Really Like Him,” “Little Bird,” and “To Each His Dulcinea.” Three performances are scheduled on the SPAC Amphitheater Stage on July 8th, 9th, and 10th at 8pm. https://www.operasaratoga.org/

MAN OF LA MANCHA – MUSICAL
SARATOGA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AMPHITHEATER
Thursday, July 8th @ 8pm
Friday, July 9th @ 8pm
Saturday, July 10th @ 8pm

Written by DALE WASSERMAN
Music by MITCH LEIGH 
Lyrics by JOE DARION 
Original Production Directed by Albert Marre

Director and Choreographer: Lawrence Edelson
Conductor: Laura Bergquist
Projection and Lighting Design: Barry Steele
Costume Design: Glenn Avery Breed
Wig and Makeup Design: Sue Sittko-Schaefer
Audio Design and Mixing: Paul Bevan

Cervantes / Don Quixote: Zachary James
Aldonza: Kelly Glyptis
Sancho: Brian Yeakley
Governor / Innkeeper: Aidan Smerud
Paco / Padre: Steven Ricks
Antonia: Lauren Cook
The Housekeeper: Whitney Robinson
Anselmo / Barber: Jeremiah Tyson
Captain of the Inquisition / Tenorio: Bradley Bickhardt
Duke / Jose / Dr. Carrasco / Knight of the Mirrors: Joel Balzun
Pedro: Titus Muzi
Maria: Jouelle Roberson
Fermina: Laura Soto-Bayomi
Ensemble: Lisa Buhelos, Naomi Brigell, Blake Jennings, Marcus Lee, De’Ron McDaniel

TICKET PRICES:
A: $125 (single tickets) or $250 (two-person pod)
B: $100 (single tickets) or $200 (two-person pod)
C: $80 (single tickets) or $160 (two-person pod)
D: $60 (single tickets) or $120 (two-person pod)
E: $40 (single tickets) or $80 (two-person pod)

LAWN: Lawn tickets are available to purchase for $30 (single tickets); $60 (two-person pod) or $120 (four-person pod) Opera Saratoga Members should call 518.584.6018 for member priority tickets. SPAC Members should log in to their online account at www.tickets.spac.org for access to member priority tickets. As of May 10th, tickets will be available to the public online at www.spac.org 

MAN OF LA MANCHA is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC. www.concordtheatricals.com

OPERA SARATOGA COVID-19 AUDIENCE SAFETY PROTOCOLS
Opera Saratoga is committed to ensuring that audiences have a safe and enjoyable experience this summer. All performances will be produced in compliance with New York State and CDC guidelines to ensure the health and safety of audience members, artists, and staff. As required by New York State, all ticket buyers will be required to show either proof of vaccination at least 14 days prior to their attendance, or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the performance they are attending. In addition, attendees will be required to complete a health screening questionnaire and pass a mandatory temperature check prior to entry. Audience members will be required to wear masks at all performances, regardless of vaccination status or proof of a negative test. Restrooms will be available with social distancing and enhanced cleaning and sanitation protocols in place in accordance with recommended guidelines. 

TICKETING INFORMATION  
Due to social distancing at all performances, tickets are extremely limited this season, and it is anticipated that performances will sell out in advance. At all venues, tickets will be sold in socially distanced pods of two seats. At SPAC, pods of one, two, or four seats will also be available on the SPAC lawn for Man of La Mancha. Very limited single tickets will be available under the roof of the amphitheater for Man of La Mancha, but single tickets are not available for Quixotic Opera or Don Quichotte at Camacho’s Wedding due to the seating configurations at these venues. Advance ticket purchases are required for Quixotic Opera and Don Quichotte at Camacho’s Wedding. Advance ticket purchases are strongly advised for Man of La Mancha. If tickets are available on the day of performance at SPAC, ticket purchases will be subject to an additional fee.

PRINCIPAL GUEST ARTISTS 
ZACHARY JAMES (debut) – Cervantes / Don Quixote, MAN OF LA MANCHA
Zachary James is an international opera singer, Broadway/TV actor, and recording artist recently named BroadwayWorld’s Performer & Vocalist of the Decade. On Broadway, he’s performed in The Addams Family, South Pacific, and Coram Boy. Off-Broadway productions include The Most Happy Fella, Irma La Douce, Sweeney Todd, and The Pirates of Penzance. Additionally, he’s been seen on TV & FILM in such shows as 30 Rock, Murphy Brown, Succession, Charmed, The Gift, ESPN Great Outdoor Games, Late Nite with David Letterman, and The Tony Awards. On the opera stage, Mr. James has performed at such houses as the Metropolitan Opera, English National Opera, Teatro Real, Opera Philadelphia, LA Opera, Opera Queensland, Arizona Opera, Virginia Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, Nashville Opera, Opera Roanoke, Anchorage Opera, Central City Opera, Union Avenue Opera, Shreveport Opera, Fort Worth Opera, Opera Ithaca, Knoxville Opera and more. Mr. James has solo albums including On Broadway, Call Out, and Exordium, available where music is streamed.

KELLY GLYPTIS – Aldonza, MAN OF LA MANCHA
Soprano Kelly Glyptis recently recorded Suor Angelica (Suor Angelica) at the ARTfactory and was Fruma Sarah and Golde/Yente cover (Fiddler on the Roof) and Mother Abbess (Sound of Music) in the North American National Tours. Previously at Opera Saratoga as a member of the company’s Young Artist Program, she was seen as Sir Elton John’s Trainer (Vinkensport, or the Finch Opera) and The Foreign Woman/Magda Sorel Cover (The Consul). Miss Glyptis has also performed leading roles and in concert with Virginia Opera, The Atlanta Opera, Fargo- Moorhead Opera, Shreveport Opera, OperaDelaware, Prizery Theatre, Cardinal Stage, Baltimore Concert Opera, Brooklyn Metro Chamber Orchestra, George Mason University, Pied Piper Theatre. Miss Glyptis won 1st place in the 2021 Odin International Music and Canadian International Music Competitions, 3rd place in the John Alexander Competition, audience choice award in Tri- Cities Opera and New Voice of UK Musicals Competitions. Upcoming engagements: Madeleine in Surrey Opera’s World Premiere of Madeleine, Finalist Concert Music International Grand Prix, Winner’s Concert New Voice of UK Musicals on the West End in London, England. 

LAURA BERGQUIST (debut) – conductor, MAN OF LA MANCHA
Laura Bergquist (Music Director/Conductor) most recently was on Broadway, conducting Allegiance, a new musical starring George Takei and Lea Salonga. Off-Broadway, she has conducted Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish and Daddy Long Legs. Ms. Bergquist has also conducted the National Tours of The King and I, Titanic, Miss Saigon, Camelot, The Music Man and My Fair Lady. She has conducted concerts at notable venues such as Avery Fisher Hall, Merkin Hall, Symphony Space, 54Below, Joe’s Pub. Ms. Bergquist has worked with regional companies such as Chicago Shakespeare, Arena Stage, The Old Globe, Paper Mill Playhouse, Music Theatre of Wichita, and Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma and has conducted the world premieres of Emma, Sense and Sensibility, Daddy Long Legs, and Jane Eyre. Ms. Bergquist received her BME in Opera from Wichita State University and MM in Voice and Conducting from Friends University. She is a published composer of the musical, Christmas Letters and an ASCAP awards recipient. Ms. Bergquist is a guest masterclass clinician for colleges around the country and is on faculty at NYU and Friends universities. She has participated in cast recordings, published choral and piano works, and has a large vocal coaching studio in NYC where she lives with her husband in Hell’s Kitchen. 

ABOUT OPERA SARATOGA
Opera Saratoga, formerly known as Lake George Opera, began with a production of Die Fledermaus at the Diamond Point Theatre on July 5, 1962, playing to an audience of 230. The Company now calls Saratoga Springs home and performs for more than 25,000 people annually. Opera Saratoga celebrates its 60th Anniversary this season. The company serves the communities of Saratoga Springs, the Lower Adirondack and New York State Capital areas by providing access to world-class opera through the production of an annual Summer Festival, as well as year-round activities including extensive educational programs, mentorship of emerging operatic artists, and unique opportunities for the public to experience opera in both our home theater and non-traditional venues that leverage and embrace the unique cultural, historic, and natural resources of the area. To date, the company has performed 104 different fully staged works by 65 different composers, including 42 works by American composers and 14 premiere productions. In 2014, the Board of Directors appointed Lawrence Edelson Opera Saratoga’s Artistic and General Director. Edelson’s leadership has marked a new chapter in the company’s history, with increased emphasis on community partnerships throughout the year, diversification of the company’s repertoire, and a reaffirmed commitment to both the presentation of American works and the mentorship of emerging artists as core activities in the company’s programs each season. For more information, visit www.operasaratoga.org