Ojai Valley News
Two local masters of illusion are building the prison set that will transport theatergoers to the Spanish Inquisition era of 1605 for the beloved musical “Man of La Mancha,” opening September 7 at the Ojai Art Center Theater. This will be one of the largest sets ever to grace the Art Center stage, stretching across the entire stage and proscenium.
Art director John Mirk and Production Designer Steve Mitchell have led a team of builders (five men and two women) to create a complex and eerie prison where Miguel de Cervantes creates the legendary Don Quixote. Director Marty Babayco says, “It is the ingenuity of Steve Mitchell’s set design that will allow audiences to witness Cervantes’ imaginative, resourceful storytelling of Don Quixote de la Mancha and his adventures bringing idealism to the soulless reality of life in a Spanish prison.”
“I took my inspiration from Marty’s sketch of what he wanted on the stage,” Steve Mitchell says. “My goal was to make the director happy. After he viewed the model and made a few adjustments, we began creating the many pieces. Marty told me about the back story and that during the Inquisition, so many people were jailed that they turned unused buildings into prisons. Our vision is the basement of an abandoned church that was used as a stable with blacksmith shop. This gave us the ability to have the prisoners find tools, blankets, and more.”
Set construction began in early July at Chaparral’s auditorium, filling the space with cells, stairways, gates, bars, and more. Throughout the heatwave, the team continued building while the cast rehearsed at the Matilija Auditorium. Finally this week, the set was moved to the Art Center Theater where audiences will get to see it starting September 7.
Mitchell designed the set and Mirk created the detailed plans that allowed their team to build the prison. “They work beautifully together. Their skills dovetail in a most effective way,” says Joan Kemper, Executive Producer. “These are guys with diverse backgrounds: Mirk is an architect and Mitchell an urban planner. Wait ‘til you see what magic they’ve made!”
“Man of La Mancha” stars Scott White, Laura Dekkers, and Adam Womack. This rousing musical opens September 7 for 5 weekends.