Saturday, May 1
“...to add some measure of grace to the world.”
This past Wednesday I attended a very well done performance of Man a La Mancha at the Clarence Brown Theatre on the UT’s campus.It’s the story of Don Quixote, the impossible dreamer. I love the story, a story that I believe is about ‘grace’, how Don Quixote saw in the town prostitute, Aldonza, what she really could be.
He called her Dulcinea. She could not accept his love, his service (i.e.- Gomer in the Old Testament). But yet Don Quixote persisted…From my favorite scene (sorry for the length, I tried to trim it down):
Don Quixote: I live in the vision of that one for whom great deeds are done…she that is called Dulcinea.
Aldonza: Why do you call me by that name?
Don Quixote: Because it is thine.
Aldonza: My name is Aldonza!
Don Quixote: I know thee, lady.
Aldonza: My name is Aldonza and I think you know me not.
Don Quixote: All my years I have known thee. Thy virtue. Thy nobility of spirit.
Aldonza: What do you want of me?
Don Quixote: …That I may be allowed to serve her. That I may hold her in my heart. That I may dedicate each victory and call upon her in defeat. And if at last I give my life I give it in the sacred name of Dulcinea.
Aldonza: Why do you do these things?
Don Quixote: What things, my lady?
Aldonza: These ridiculous…the things you do!
Don Quixote: I hope to add some measure of grace to the world.
Aldonza: The world’s a dungheap and we are maggots that crawl on it!
Don Quixote: My lady knows better in her heart.
Aldonza: What’s in my heart will get me halfway to hell. And you, Senor Don Quixote- You’re going to take such a beating!
Don Quixote: Whether I win or lose does not matter.
Aldonza: What does?
Don Quixote: Only that I follow the quest.
Aldonza: (spits) That for your quest. What does it mean- quest?
Don Quixote: The mission of each true knight…his duty-nay, his privilege!
(He then sings the song, “Impossible Dream”)
As the song ends…
Aldonza: Once-just once- would you look at me as I really am?
Don Quixote: I see beauty. Purity. I see the woman each man holds secret within him. Dulcinea. (Lights Fade)
The show this past week brought back some great memories, for myself and Pervis who was with me at the show. We did a three person version of this back in 2002...For a Sunday morning worship service at Loeb Theatre at Purdue. "I hope it added some measure of grace to the world..."
Mark Nelson at 4:49 PM 3comments
3 Comments
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at 8:56 PM
-Jenni said... Miss you guys.
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at 7:14 PM
Mrs. Jake said...
wow! I've never seen this musical...I think I need to!
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at 8:13 PM
Unknown said...
I got the rewarding opportunity of taking our 24 AVID students from BMS to see the same production of Don Quixote. It was truly a well done production!!