Dreamer's Theatre Company Presents ``The Adventures of Don Quixote in Miami''; Cosmic Comic Knight Adventure Charges Into the Colony Theatre.

Entertainment Editors/Theater Writers

MIAMI--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Aug. 25, 2000

And you thought charging at windmills was a thing of the past? Well, think again as "The Adventures of Don Quixote in Miami" brings this chivalrous tale back to life, in a cosmic comedy with a twist, set in present day Miami. In conjunction with the Don Quixote Foundation and Dreamer's Theatre Company, "The Adventures of Don Quixote in Miami" premieres on Saturday, October 7th at the Colony Theater.

Dr. Camote is a psychiatrist in Coconut Grove who, through past life regressions and future life progressions with his own psychiatrist - Dr. Goldstein, discovers he is Don Quixote reincarnated from a past life. First-time playwright Manuel Martinez has crafted this past-life regression theatre experience to put audiences in touch with their spiritual side. "Manuel and I believe there is an audience for every play," states Director Yolandi Hughes. "I hope to bring to the stage a very visual, entertaining and unique production reflecting what the art world knows as massurrealism. This play is an experimental, surrealistic journey into the life of a romantic dreamer and visionary."

A successful financial advisor, Manuel Martinez has always had a deep love for the Don Quixote era. During his childhood in Spain, Martinez first connected with the Cervantes classic. "Many of the phrases that are part of modern culture are derived directly from this book," says Martinez. Quixote's eccentric missions led him to coin the phrase "you've seen nothing yet."

But Martinez found much more in the classic dreamer's novel. "It is the most idealistic and inspiring read there is, " says Martinez. " Tilting at windmills may not always work out, but hope, faith and goodness are certainly things that we all strive for in our lives."

In addition, Martinez has opened a restaurant, called [surprise!] Don Quixote. Nestled in Coconut Grove's Commodore Plaza, Don Quixote's offers an array of Spanish culinary delights. Entrees come in large, appetizing portions served in a seventeenth century scenic and gastronomic backdrop that truly is spectacular.

With the premiere production of The Adventures of Don Quixote in Miami, Martinez tilts at yet another windmill, live theatre, as both playwright and co-founder of the Dreamer's Theatre Company with Director Yolandi Hughes.

From businessman to restaurateur to playwright, Martinez sees no irony in the path his life, and his past lives, have taken. Martinez moved to the United States in 1982 and received his MBA from Thunderbird, The American Graduate School of International Management. Since the age of eleven as a child growing up in Madrid, Martinez can remember past-life regressive episodes being a part of his life. Even then, the knights of the seventeenth century and the passion of Don Quixote completely enveloped him.

After working on the Don Quixote screenplay for more than three years, Martinez reworked his story into a live theatre work. The play will open on Saturday, October 7th at Miami Beach's Colony Theater, located at 1040 Lincoln Road. There will be two preview performances on October 4th and 5th at 8:15 p.m. - tickets are $15.00. A third preview performance on October 6th will benefit the United Way.

The world premiere takes place on Saturday, October 7th at 9:00 p.m. followed by the Sunday performance at 3:00 p.m. Performances continue Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8:15 p.m. and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. The initial run is scheduled for two weeks, but The Dreamer's Theater Company has arranged for additional weeks if audience reaction warrants extending the run. Tickets are $20 for Thursday, Friday, and Sunday performances and $24 for Saturday evening. Senior discount tickets are $10 and available one hour prior to each performance. For advance full price tickets, call Ticketmaster at 305-358-5885 (Dade), 954-523-3309 (Broward), 561-966-3309 (Palm Beach), visit any Ticketmaster outlet or visit the Colony Theatre box office. For additional information or box office hours call the Colony Theatre at 305-674-1026.