WPCNR STAGE DOOR. By John F. Bailey. November 28, 2007: When Jack Batman heard the “Leading Man of the 90s” Robert Cuccioli’s Lone Star Love show playing in Seattle was closing in September, Mr. Cuccioli told the CitizeNetReporter the new Artistic Director of WPPAC contacted him to take the lead in the White Plains Performing Arts Center debut musical production Man of La Mancha, which opens Thursday night. C uccioli did not hesitate. He took it and it was the beginning of the fulfillment of his “Impossible Dream.” It was a coup — for the theatre and the actor.
Robert Cuccioli has not only a role he has always wanted to play – but by sheer magnetism of his performance – has the opportunity to give the White Plains Performing Arts Center the cache, the professionalism, and charisma it needs.
The dashing leading man’s cross country move gives WPPAC genuine star power in its lead show of the season. The massive set created by an Emmy-winning designer, the dream tenor role created by Cuccioli, the synergy of key, expensive talent has been assembled to put White Plains to the test.
Cuccioli came to stardom playing Javert on Broadwy in Les Miserables in the early 90s, and followed that up with his Tony-nominated Jekyl lead role in Jekyll and Hyde in 1996, says he will be bringing his own feel to the role of Don Quixote.
Actors in Rehearsal Tuesday afternoon at White Plains Performing Arts Center. Two days to Opening Night.
Cuccioli told WPCNR the massive set is conducive to a more intimate Man of La Mancha experience than audiences are used to experiencing. He likes the chemistry with fellow leads and promises the audiences who know the show will experience the inspiration of the famous show more powerfully than before because of the all stops out, Broadway style of production.
Mr. Batman has spared no expense to give his star the production backup needed to win over the fickle and demanding White Plains audience who have Batman they wanted Broadway musicals. Well this Man of La Mancha is a gamble, that Mr. Batman appears to be giving every chance.
Man of La Mancha 2007 White Plains style is a distinct departure from previous WPPAC productions.
Mr. Batman is hoping this Broadway style production is the theater White Plains has been missing and has not seen previously at the WPPAC.
He commissioned Michael Hotopp, winner of 5 Emmies for set design, who has created a set of towering blue ramparts of grays and blues representing the Spanish Inquistion prison where the show takes place.
He has hired Carrie Robbins as Costume Designer who has designed the wardrobe for 33 Broadway Shows, and the lighting which was being rehearsed Tuesday afternoon with the cast in costume was created by Tom Weaver, who just “lit” the production of Frankenstein (not to be confused with Young Frankenstein.
The brief sequence WPCNR saw in run-through Tuesday afternoon created atmosphere. Even without mikes,the acoustics of the WPPAC were crisp and electric. The number I heard briefly a cappella to get the lighting shifts right was entertaining, the cast together and if a mere snip of the show grabbed my interest.
Mr. Batman may have a very appealing first gambit towards winning back White Plains and Westchester theatre aficionados .
The towering ramparts of the set evoke the sixteenth century, the costumes were intricate, realistic. The stage foreboding and soaring simultaneously. Definitely not the sets and bare bones productions WPPAC has been known for in the past. Man of La Mancha, WPPAC reckons is going to overwhelm the audience. It will be big, up close and personal, classy and Broadway.
The show is 63% sold out as of this time, which is a feat in and of itself. It runs through December 19.
Harris noted that the theatre is being programmed to appeal to The Ritz Carlton residences across the street. He said that many of the new residents of the Ritz-Carlton residences had purchased season subscriptions for the productions coming up, Ragtime, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Ain’t Misbehavin.
Man of La Mancha is a quarter of a million dollar gamble. To break even it has to sell out the show.
Mr. Cuccioli expressed regret this was such a short run, and said he would be developing the part with each performance as he had never done the role before. Asked how he saw his career going at this stage of his life –whether he would continue to perform or take on more of a producing or directing role, he said he loved to direct, but liked the whole of the theater experience, performing, acting, directing and that he was not concentrating on heading in any one direction.
Mr. Cuccioli, though has perhaps has never played a role with more consequence for the venue in which he is playing than the one he creates personally for the first time tomorrow night.
Man of La Mancha would appear to have everything going for it. The mannerisms of the technicians observing the run-through, the cast’s intricacy and concentration onstage, and the concern of the executives’ hopes were palpable. There was electricity in the air.
But that’s the glamour and the glitz of show business. You never know. You give it all to the show and maybe, just maybe you click.
For Man of La Mancha is not only a drama on stage of the significance of hope, its very production in the little theatre in the City Center is a drama of hope for the theatre born again.
Will Jack Batman’s Man of La Mancha be the smash production WPPAC needs to bring back the public?
Will Robert Cuccioli be the catalyst for a WPPAC renaissance?
It’s the drama within a drama.
See for yourself, for more information go to www.wppac.com.
