Empress presenting 'Man of La Mancha'

The Empress Theatre, at 9104 West 2700 South in Magna, will present "Man of La Mancha" through March 26. Showtimes are Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.

"Man of La Mancha" features a book by Dale Wasserman and music and lyrics by Mitch Leigh and Joe Darion. The Empress' production is directed by Glen Carpenter with musical direction by Tyler Kofoed and features Shawn Maxfield as Don Quixote, Erik Barney as Sancho Panza, and Shawnee Johnson as Aldonza. Other cast members include Bret Howell, Rossy Moreno, Amanda Whitaker and Falan Memmott.

"Man of La Mancha" is a remarkable show and one of the great theatre successes of our time. This is a play-within-a-play, based on Cervantes' "Don Quixote." We have a poignant story of a dying old man whose impossible dream takes over his mind. "It's All the Same," "Dulcinea," "I'm Only Thinking of Him," "The Impossible Dream," "I Really Like Him" and "Little Bird" remain in your thoughts and in your soul well after you see the show. His dream is Everyman's dream. His tilting at windmills is every man's great adventure. Somehow, the footlights disappear, time is telescoped and the "Man of La Mancha" speaks for humankind.

Tickets range in price from $9-11 and can be purchased in advance by calling 801-347-7373, or by visiting the Empress' website at www.empresstheatre.com.