Odesa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre: Don Quixote at Toyota Oakdale Theatre

To anyone familiar with the source material, thinking about going to a play where Don Quixote is the inspiration could lead them to believe they’ll be in theater forever. That’s why it’s important to clarify that this is an adaptation that’s been made from the Cervantes classic to fit into a 2-hour show. The prologue provides a bit of context for Don Quixote as a character to ensure that anyone who is not familiar with the novel has at least some sense of what’s about to unfold. To be fair, though, with Don Quixote, you must learn to expect the unexpected! What you can expect is an over-the-top production. The Odesa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre company does an amazing job when it comes to theming and costumes.

On this night, the Toyota Oakdale Theatre will be transformed into Spain as it was 500 years ago. Two of the company's most esteemed dancers will portray Don Quixote and his faithful companion, Sancho Panza. Of course, this will be a night of ballet, but with a mix of flamenco music that will surely bring out the Spanish side of the mostly Ukrainian cast. It’s an upbeat show with a moral fit for the iconic character that it aims to portray. An experience that the entire family can enjoy for sure. Actually, the fact that it’s only a 2-hour show makes the experience much more family-friendly. There won’t be as much “downtime” in the action as is usually the case with longer productions. It flows from one scene to the next beautifully to ensure the audience can appreciate both the dances and the storyline.

There are still plenty of seats available for this show on Wednesday, October 9th. Places near the stage are always in high demand. There is something, though, about watching a ballet performance from the balconies or VIP boxes. With the elevated view, you have an easier time taking in the entirety of what’s happening on stage. At the same time, there’s a sense of “pomp” and feeling important for witnessing a show like this from these seats that cannot be understated. Regardless of where you want to sit, click the get tickets button to experience the Odesa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre’s take on Don Quixote.