‘Man of La Mancha’ opens at Castle Theater with Amy Hānaialiʻi and Richard Cray

Hawai’i’s top-selling female vocalist of all time, Amy Hānaialiʻi, returns to her roots in musical theatre to perform with professional actor Richard Cray in MAPA’s production of the iconic musical “Man of La Mancha,” opening Friday, Aug. 16. With a cast of 20 and a 16-piece live orchestra, Man of La Mancha runs Aug. 16-25 at Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Castle Theater.

One of Hawaiʻi’s most respected and beloved vocalists, Hānaiali‘i has 17 albums, six GRAMMY® nominations, and 18 Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards. As a talented songwriter, composer, producer, and performer, she remains consistently at the top of the World Album Billboard charts and has performed for sold-out crowds in Europe, Japan, China, French Polynesia, and the US. Hānaiali‘i has played and recorded with many of the industry’s biggest names, including Willie Nelson, Carlos Santana, Boz Scaggs and more.

“Man of La Mancha: brings Hānaiali‘i full circle back to her origins in theatre on Maui. After performing as a keiki at Maui Youth Theatre (now MAPA) and studying with Miss Sue Ann Loudon at Baldwin Theatre Guild, Hānaiali‘i earned a BFA in Music Theater in San Diego. She went on to produce and perform in theatrical productions on Maui with her brother Eric Gilliom before launching her successful music career.

Richard Cray joins Hānaiali‘i in the cast of “Man of La Mancha” to play the lead role Miguel de Cervantes/Don Quixote. A former Maui resident, Cray has enjoyed a distinguished nationwide career in opera and musical theatre, including Broadway, performing in “Marriage of Figaro,” “The Magic Flute,” “Carmen,” “Mame,” “Carousel,” “Kismet,” “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” and others. He was last seen on a Maui stage in the title role in “Phantom” at the MACC in 2003.

Inspired by novelist Miguel de Cervantes, “Man of La Mancha” tells the story of Don Quixote as a play within the play performed by Cervantes and his fellow prisoners as he awaits a hearing with the Spanish Inquisition. The show opened on Broadway in 1965 and won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical. With its iconic principal song The Impossible Dream, the musical has become one of the most beloved and enduring works of musical theatre.

Produced by Maui Academy of Performing Arts (MAPA) in partnership with The Makana Aloha Foundation and County of Maui Office of Economic Development, “Man of La Mancha” is directed by MAPA’s Artistic Director David C. Johnston, with music direction by John Rowehl, choreography by Andre Morissette, lighting design by Mark Astrella, and set design by Dan Hays and Jamie Tait. The show is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC. 

MAPA chose to produce “Man of La Mancha” this month as a symbol of hope and healing for the Maui community. Through the character of Don Quixote who finds the courage to dream the impossible dream even in the darkest of times, the story shares a powerful message about the human spirit’s indomitable capacity to persevere through adversity.

“Man of La Mancha” runs six performances Aug. 16-25. Tickets are $15-$62 (plus applicable facility fees) and are available at mauiarts.org. MAPA is providing free tickets for fire survivors and first responders; contact info@mauiacademy.org.