CORAL GABLES, Fla. \u2014 Actors\u2019 Playhouse is marking its 30th anniversary at the Miracle Theatre in Coral Gables by reviving the musical that launched its residency there: “Man of La Mancha.”<\/p>\n
The company moved into the Miracle Theatre, located at 280 Miracle Mile, after being displaced by Hurricane Andrew, at a time when the historic venue was also searching for new direction. <\/p>\n
The partnership helped solidify one of South Florida\u2019s most enduring regional theaters.<\/p>\n
On Friday, the Playhouse opened a new staging of the classic musical that inaugurated its presence on the Miracle Mile. <\/p>\n
For E.L. Losada, who stars as Don Quijote, the production feels especially meaningful.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I personally, I feel honored to get to be at the helm of this right now because it\u2019s so much bigger than me,\u201d Losada said.<\/p>\n
Losada launched his professional career at Actors\u2019 Playhouse when he was 19. Although he has performed at the Miracle Theatre before, this is his first time taking on the role of Don Quijote \u2014 a dreamer guided by chivalry and unwavering belief in goodness.<\/p>\n
Losada said the theater\u2019s longevity is a product of dedication from the people who have kept it running for decades.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s a testament to what, when you get a group of people that really love what they do and they\u2019re really good at it, and they just stick to it and keep showing up and keep showing up to do it, I think that\u2019s what this is a testament to,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Actor Jose Luaces, returning as Sancho, is also continuing a legacy. His high school drama teacher originated the role in the Playhouse\u2019s first production of Man of La Mancha 30 years ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am so happy to be able to continue that legacy of someone who taught me musical theater in high school and being able to do it professionally and now to fill his shoes at the Miracle Theater,\u201d Luaces said.<\/p>\n
Luaces said the Miracle Theatre\u2019s endurance is notable in an era when many regional theaters face financial uncertainty.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe amount of heart in this theater is amazing. Like, you don\u2019t see this in regional theaters around the country,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Losada added that the story at the center of Man of La Mancha \u2014 perseverance and refusing to give up \u2014 mirrors Actors\u2019 Playhouse\u2019s own journey.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what this whole story is about,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s why I love playing Don Quijote, and why I love doing that transition because it\u2019s, you know, I could spend the rest of my life trying to beat that.\u201d<\/p>\n