Tilting at Windmills

Circus Quixote

Lookingglass, one of Chicago’s finest and, probably, the most inventive and creative theatre company in the Windy City, has finally returned. After a pause in operations in 2023 to reorganize and create a new business model, the company is thankfully back and better than ever. The venue also sports a sparkling new look inside the Water Tower Pumping Station. The Theatre now features a spacious, newly reimagined lobby that offers plenty of seating and a variety of coffee and potent potables for purchase. But, best of all, Lookingglass Theatre Company is continuing to produce exciting, inventive and stimulating entertainment. And for its premiere production, the company reopens with CIRCUS QUIXOTE, a show in the style of one of their most popular shows of the past years, LOOKINGGLASS ALICE.

David Catlin, one of the multitalented founding members of the Lookingglass Theatre Company, has co-adapted yet another literary classic. Catlin’s known for his exhilarating adaptations for the stage of such classics as MOBY DICK, 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA, ICARUS, MARY SHELLEY’S FRANKENSTEIN and, of course, LOOKINGGLASS ALICE. Working together with Kerry Catlin, David has not only created the script but he and Kerry co-directed the production. This wildly imaginative physical presentation is infused with jaw-dropping Circus acrobatics, impossible-looking gymnastics and breathtaking aerial skills. Lookingglass Theatre Company has once again partnered with the Actors Gymnasium in Evanston, a center where actors can master Circus skills. Ensemble member, Sylvia Hernandez-Distasi, who is also the Artistic Director of The Actors Gymnasium, choreographed and helped stage this production.

Catlin’s episodic script focuses on highlights from Miguel de Cervantes’ classic novel. Don Quixote and Sancho Panza travel all over 17th century Spain trying to revive chivalry by defending the helpless and destroying the wicked. Ultimately Quixote attempts to earn the esteem of a pretty peasant woman, Dulcinea del Toboso, whom he imagines is a princess. Seldom seeing things for what they truly are, Quixote combats a herd of sheep, tilts with giants who turn out to be windmills, outwits an evil enchanter who’s really a ruthless muleteer, is cruelly tricked by a Duke and Duchess and does battle with the Knight of the White Moon, who is actually his niece’s intended.

The cast is led by the handsome, gifted and dashing Award-winning Cuban actor, circus performer and educator, Michel Rodriguez Cintra. Currently a Visiting Assistant Professor at NIU, Mr. Cintra has been seen at Hubbard Street Dance, with the International Puppetry Festival and in Lookingglass Theatre Company’s LOOKINGGLASS ALICE. In this play, the actor alternately portrays the story’s two main characters. Cintra is sweet, courteous and sincere as Don Quijano, the dreamy madman of La Mancha, who read so many courtly romances and books about chivalry that his brains dried up. But he instantly transforms before our eyes into the valiant and passionate Don Quijote/Quixote, the Knight of the Woeful Countenance who, for his Lady Dulcinea, travels Spain in search of rights to be wronged and evil to be vanquished. 

The ensemble cast of actor/singer/dancer/swordsmen/circus performers & puppeteers are truly remarkable. They include some of the finest multitalented actors in Chicago, each of whom portray multiple characters. Micah Figueroa is Don Quixote’s nemesis, Sanson Carrasco, as well as the French knight, Amadis de Gaula, whom Quixote idolizes and imitates. He’s also been seen in many of Lookingglass’ more extraordinary productions, as well as at Chicago Shakespeare, the Chicago Children’s Theatre and the Goodman Theatre. Delightful, easy-going Eddie Martinez, an ensemble member of Teatro Vista, plays the book’s author, Miguel de Cervantes. We meet him in his prison cell as he begins spinning his tale of the mad Knight-errant. Eddie, who has previously appeared Off-Broadway, at Steppenwolf Theatre and at Lookingglass, instantly transforms into Sancho Panza, Quixote’s faithful squire and friend.

Talented Julian Hester, one of my favorite Chicago actors, is a regular on several television shows and has been enjoyed in so many other theatrical productions all over the Windy City. Mr. Hester is a company member with The Artistic Home and has worked everywhere, including Writers, CST and Windy City Playhouse. He primarily plays young Master Nicolas, the traveling barber, but also plays the Duke and several other characters. Beautiful Laura Murillo Hart portrays Quixote’s housekeeper, Aldonza, as well as his Lady Dulcinea, for whom he dedicates all his quests and misadventures. Making her Lookingglass debut, Ms. Hart is a talented actor, dancer, and movement artist. She’s also an accomplished singer with a most glorious voice. 

Completing this skilled and versatile ensemble are two gifted young ladies. Lovely, petite Andrea San Miguel, who portrays Don Quixote’s niece, Antonia, as well as the Sacred Partridge and many other characters. Enjoyed at the Goodman in such physically demanding plays as THE PENELOPIAD and THE NOTEBOOKS OF LEONARDO DA VINCI, she’s appeared in many productions at Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare, Northlight, Writers and Victory Gardens. And playing Sister Sofia, the Duchess and several others, alluring Ayana Strutz is a treasure. The triple threat/circus artist has appeared on Broadway in THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL. She’s also been seen all over Chicagoland, at the Goodman in THE WHO’S TOMMY, at the Marriott in GYPSY and BIG FISH, at Paramount in CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, in THE KING AND I at Drury Lane and, in my favorite local performance, in PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT at Mercury Theater.

The entire production’s creative team must be commended for their creativity, hard work and determination to make this production a spectacular delight. High on that list is Courtney O’Neill for her incredible Scenic Design. She takes Cervantes’ description about Don Quijada’s room full of books and makes it literal. The set is built entirely of volumes and volumes of books. At first theatergoers will think the set is made of light brown stones or rustic bricks, but upon closer examination we can see the pages and spines of various sizes of texts and tomes attached together. In addition, Don Quixote’s comfy rocking chair cleverly becomes his horse, Rocinante. 

Trapdoors open up in the stage floor, allowing actors to mysteriously appear and disappear, as well as to let Daphne Agosin’s lushly atmospheric Lighting pour forth. She also has backlit the production, with tiny beams of colored light shooting out above, below and between the stacked volumes. Designer Sully Ratke’s Costumes are extraordinary, period-perfect and allow for quick changes and ease of movement. Of particular note is Ms. Hart’s oversized cloak and gown that magically turns into a working puppet theatre; and Grace Needlman’s many intricate Puppet Designs, particularly her Monkey, sometimes steal the show from the live actors. And many kudos go to Lee Brasuell for his excellent and safe Rigging Design, as well as to the devoted team of unseen technicians who help manipulate the equipment.

Don Quixote is one of the most familiar, popular and iconic characters from world literature. Indeed, Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes’ two-part 17th century story is considered to be the very first modern novel. Kerry and David Catlin’s co-adaptation and direction of this jaw-dropping production is such a powerful production that also marks the welcome reopening of Chicago’s magnificent Lookingglass Theatre. It’s also a must-see play that everyone’s bound to be talking about for years to come. Like LOOKINGGLASS ALICE and THE STEADFAST TIN SOLDIER, CIRCUS QUIXOTE will likely join the roster of the company’s most popular works that will be revived every year or two. With its combination of fine acting, incredible Circus skills and stupendous technical support, theatergoers should not miss the opportunity for tilting at windmills with that romantic idealist, Don Quixote de La Mancha.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented January 30-March 30 by Lookingglass Theatre, 821 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 312-337-0665 or by going to www.lookingglasstheatre.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.