‘Man of La Mancha’ Holds Up as Endearing Musical Drama : The strong cast does justice to the timeless story. Except for ‘Impossible Dream,’ though, the songs are weak.

A legendary literary character and his author become one in “Man of La Mancha,� a clever musical that made its debut on Broadway nearly 30 years ago.

Best known for introducing the popular standard “The Impossible Dream,� the show is enjoying an unexpected revival in Ventura County this year, with productions in Camarillo and Thousand Oaks scheduled within three months of one another. The first, imaginatively staged and energetically performed by the Camarillo Community Theatre, opened over the weekend and will play through July 23.

Dale Wasserman’s script begins with author Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (better known to English-speaking readers as Cervantes) imprisoned during the Spanish Inquisition. Partly to pass time in his holding cell and mainly to ransom a manuscript being held by fellow prisoners, Cervantes “defends� himself by recounting the story of Don Quixote.

The hero of Cervantes’ novel, published in 1605, is an elderly man deluded into thinking himself a knight, although the age of chivalry was long past. Accompanied by his “squire,� Sancho Panza, Quixote travels Spain, seeking to right wrongs, rescue damsels and fight giants. A ridiculous figure, Quixote projects his fantasies so that windmills became giants in his mind and he sees the low-born barmaid, Aldonza, as his noble lady, Dulcinea.

Cervantes acts the story out, playing Quixote and enlisting guards and fellow prisoners to play other roles in the improvised drama.

What we get is not really Cervantes and not really Quixote: The author’s life is distorted, and the picture of Don Quixote is about as well-rounded as the image on a T-shirt. Which is not to say that the script doesn’t hold up as a dramatic piece, or as an introduction to Cervantes’ master work. The story is consistently involving, and it’s close enough to perhaps persuade people to read the real thing.

Despite the presence of “The Impossible Dream,� the weakest aspect of “Man of La Mancha� is the score, especially Joe Darion’s lyrics (Mitch Leigh wrote the music). While there are highlights--�Little Bird� is an appealing ballad in the style of Harry Belafonte’s Caribbean-styled material, incongruously placed in 17th-Century Spain--certainly the repetitive “I Really Like Him� (sung by Sancho Panza, referring to Quixote) is among the worst songs ever performed on Broadway, and the rest of the material falls somewhere in between.

The Camarillo group’s musical productions have been consistently strong in recent memory, and this “Man of La Mancha� is no exception. Director Mark Andrew Reyes has assembled a fine cast, featuring Damian Gravino as Cervantes / Quixote, Rex Waggoner as Sancho Panza and Linda Steigler as the earthy Aldonza.

Gabriel de la Vega is particularly impressive as the innkeeper for whom Aldonza works, and David Banuelos turns in a couple of notably comic characterizations.

Music is supplied by a versatile group under the direction of Kevin Parcher; two guitars, two woodwinds, keyboards and percussion accompany the singing.

Audiences should be aware that the story gets rather raw in places, notably in the graphic portrayal of a gang rape: This show is not for young children.

The next production, by the Santa Susana Repertory Company, will be performed at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza in mid-September.

Details

* WHAT: “Man of La Mancha.�

* WHERE: Camarillo Airport Theater, 330 Skyway Drive, on the grounds of Camarillo Airport.

* WHEN: At 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays. Through July 23.

* COST: $10 general admission; $8 students, senior citizens and active military; $5 children under 12. A special family package for two adults and up to four children is available for $25.

* ETC.: For reservations or information, call 388-5716.