“Man of La Mancha,” is a beloved and highly acclaimed musical that has been produced in many countries and languages. Its story uplifts and brings the best of the human spirit to light and stands as an icon of one man’s indomitable vision, spirit and hope. The music itself is iconic and includes “Golden Helmet,” “I Am I Don Quixote” and the epically inspiring anthem, “The Impossible Dream.”

During the time of the Spanish Inquisition, Don Miguel de Cervantes (the actual author of the classic novel “Don Quixote”), and his friend and servant, later to be known as Sancho Panza are thrown into prison for having tried to collect taxes and for foreclosing on a church. The prisoners ransack their belongings and Cervantes’ manuscript of the yet to be completed famous novel “Don Quixote” is in danger of being burned and lost forever.

In a desperate attempt to save his precious manuscript from being burned by the prisoners, he artfully and skillfully distracts the prisoners by acting out the tale of Alonzo Quijana also known as, Don Quixote de La Mancha!

The musical play was written by Dale Wasserman, music by Joe Darion and lyrics by Mitch Leigh.

This New England Regional Theater production of “Man of La Mancha” is directed by John Willey of Bath, Rebecca Beck of Brunswick is music director and Dave Doyon of Brunswick is director and orchestra leader.

The cast: Pat Scully, Phil Chin, Melanie Willey, Ben Proctor, Clay Hawks, Kevin Gerber, Jenny Brown, Cathy Matero, Marcelle LeChance, Brian Cullen, Marc Rodriguez, Newton Dubs, Ben Weston, Lyndsay Barker, Tracy Kapocious, Michael Blakemore and Mike Rowe.

Show dates are Thursday, Nov. 6 and Friday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. with two shows on Saturday Nov. 8 at 2 and 7 p.m.

Please be advised that some of themes in this show are of a mature nature and may not be suitable for all children. Tickets are available at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/879440.

The Orion Performing Arts Center is located at 66 Republic Avenue in Topsham.

Pre-holiday food drive

As a way of embodying and being in alignment with the show’s themes of making this a better world, NERTC is pleased to work in collaboration with The Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program (MCHPP) by supporting a much needed pre-holiday food drive. We kindly ask that each audience member please bring two non-perishable food items for donation when they come to the show. MCHPP donation containers will be available in the lobby.