Steadstyle Chicago
	October 2009 Theatre Review by Alan Bresloff
	Man of LaMancha Theo Ubique is a marvelous theater company that brings big productions down to size in a storefront in Rogers Park.  They have tackled Shakespeare as well as Andrew Lloyd Webber and now they are taking on "Man Of La Mancha," with book by Dale Wasserman, Music by Mitch Leigh and Lyrics by Joe Darion.  The original production team included  Hal James and interestingly his son, Michael James is the co-producer of this production.  Often it hard to stage a big Broadway show on a small stage, but somehow the directors that Artistic Director Fred Anzevino brings in always find the best usage.  While they are just finishing up the run at Theatre at The Center in Munster, Theo Ubique is just revving up their engine.  For those who think "I have seen this, why again?" I can tell you that this is not the "Man of La Mancha" you know.  Not at all! Director David Heimann brings this show to a new level with his eleven talented performers.  While the play is still a play-within-a-play, it has been changed from the Spanish Inquisition to a mental institution.  Cervantes, our hero, is played by Danielle Brothers as a man, who of course becomes Don Quixote, the Man of La Mancha.  I was a little uneasy in the beginning seeing her come onstage, but once she began speaking and adding her beard and mustache, I felt the transformation take place and never looked back.  She pulled it off to perfection.  One of the highlights of viewing a play at No Exit Cafe is that you are almost a part of the action.  Actors may be so close you can feel their breath at times.  This gives us the opportunity to look into the faces of the actors and for them to see our reaction as well.  So, back to the story changes.  The "prison" is now a mental facility of some kind and our hero and his friend Sancho (Anthony John Lawrence Apodaca, who has a lot of charm) are waiting to be heard.  The inmates want to know more about them and have their own trial where he now tells his story (the play-within-a-play) and they all become members of his cast. The cast is composed of some wonderful voices, but of greater import the acting ability shines.  Each character has something to add to the storyline and they do so with great ability.  While Sarah Hayes as Aldonza does not have the richest of voices, what she lacks in voice is more than compensated for by the emotion and feeling she brings to this role.  In the ending scene, she will bring a tear to your eye.  The other players are equal in strength of character, Trisha Hart Ditsworth, the very funny Kyle Greer (who shows off his voice with "Little Bird"), Michael Herschberg, Kent L. Joseph, Tom Moore, Jennifer Young, Daniel Waters (who shows off his range as the Padre) and Maggie Portman (who also did the choreography).  This is not an easy task on a narrow stage with three skinny stairs and a pole in the middle.  Maggie, you should be proud of this one! Some of the mentions of the inquisition may confuse you, but forget about those and just watch and listen to this energetic cast tell a marvelous story in an intimate setting.  The chairs may not be as comfortable as one of the larger theaters, but where else can you feel that you are part of the story instead of 150 feet or more away.  Here you see their eyes and feel their emotion.  This is almost like having the players come over to your home for a private showing.  Cervantes' story is one of escape as he awaits the unknown.  Your escape is that for two plus hours, you get to see a marvelous little production of a big Broadway musical.  The four piece orchestra (Ryan Brewster, Kevin Brown, Nicholas Davio and Chris Skrable) fill the theater with the sounds and yet never drown out the performers.  There are some strobe lighting effects, so be prepared for this. "Man of La Mancha" has been extended through December 20, 2009 at The No Exit Cafe located at 6970 N. Glenwood Ave. (located at Morse, so the Red Line is a perfect way to go).  Performances are Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m. with optional dinner at 7 p.m., Sundays at 7 p.m. with optional dinner at 6 p.m.  Tickets range from $30-$35 ($53 including dinner) and can be purchased by calling  800-595-4849, 773-347-1109 or online at www.theoubique.org.  Free parking is available at the parking lot on the corner of Morse Avenue and Ravenswood with free shuttle on the Lifeline shuttle to and from the lot.  Note: The actors in preparation for this production spent a day at Trilogy Behavioral Center with staff members and clients to get a better understanding of what they were being asked to do. Wasserman also wrote "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" which takes place in an asylum.   About Alan Bresloff Alan Bresloff, once an actor himself, has been covering the Chicago Theater Scene since 1993, first as the Theater and Arts critic for LaRaza newspaper, then with Salsachicago.com and then onto Extra Newspaper and The Epoch Times.  He also writes for ElImparcial and TeleGuia.  His reviews can also be seen on www.theatreinchicago.com.  Alan does not call himself a "critic" but a "reviewer" as he tries to educate the reader about theater itself, what is a good value, what to look for in a play or musical and more.  "Exposure to theater is a very important part of a young person's life" he says. "Learning about the arts and culture is in fact learning about life" and he tries to explain more in his reviews than just if it is good or bad.  Even some of the poor productions have some value, he often says and he would love your feedback on shows that you have seen.  You can write him here or at albresloff@sbcglobal.net.