Season 25 marks the triumphant return of Bach Aria Soloists’ original production:
The Adventures of Don Quixote, highlighting the most popular scenes from Cervantes’ literary masterpiece Don Quixote!
“Bach Aria Soloistsʼ remarkably imaginative program ‘The Adventures of Don Quixote’ enchanted the audience…” Kansas City Star
Actor Jerry Mañan portrays the famous knight and Cervantes himself in six scenes adapted by Kansas City Star columnist Patrick Neas. The beguiling backdrop of 17th c. Spanish Baroque dances and canzones accompanies Cervantes’ classic tale, performed by Bach Aria Soloists and curated by BAS Founder-Artistic Director Elizabeth Suh Lane, including Telemann’s charming Don Quixote Suite.
This event will take place at the new Zhou B Art Center in the historic Kansas City Jazz District in partnership with the Zhou B Art Foundation of Kansas City.
Adults $40 | Students $20
Jerry is excited to be making his debut with Bach Aria Soloists, to tell the story of Don Quixote! Recent productions include Little Women as Laurie with Kansas City Actors Theater, Refuge as The Wolf at The Unicorn Theatre, and The Disappointments with KCPublic Theatre. Jerry also participated in a nation & city wide tour with What If Puppets in their original show Animal Amigos. In 2019, Jerry received the Best Classical Acting award at KCACTF (Region V). Other credits include - Heart of America Shakespeare's The Tempest, ShakesFear, Shakespeare in Love, Much Ado about Nothing; KCAT's Dot, The Pests; KC Public Theater's Miss Julie, Oedipus the King; Spilled Milk, Heirlooms at The Blackbox; The New Theatre's Sherwood. Film Credits: Midwest Skidmark. Radio credits - KCART's The Hitchhiker, Kansas City: 1924, Mama Knows the Game, The Voice from the Other Side, & more; KC Public Theatre's El Sueño Que Mueve el Sol. Jerry is a graduate from Avila University. By day, he works as a graphic designer. Jerry is a company member of Kansas City Actors Theatre.
Justin Barron, Sancho Panza
Justin Barron is a professional actor based here in Kansas City. He has had the opportunity to work at local theaters such as Unicorn, KC Rep, Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, Coterie, Musical Theatre Heritage, KC Public Theatre, and more. Justin earned a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Central Missouri. When not performing, Justin runs his own small business - Tipsy Bard KC - where he hosts numerous role-playing events throughout the KC area.
With guest Beau Bledsoe, guitar
Beau Bledsoe performs and records classical music, jazz and folkloric music from around the world as he seeks to integrate different musical cultures with diverse audiences. Through his many varied projects and ensembles, Beau has toured extensively throughout Europe, Russia, South America and North America in addition to producing fifteen recordings under his recording label Tzigane. Beau is currently artistic director and founder of Ensemble Iberica which explores the music of Spain, Portugal and other areas of the world connected to the Iberian diaspora.
With guest Sascha Groschang, cello
Sascha Groschang, cellist, has performed extensively across the United States, Europe and Asia. She has appeared at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall numerous times, and gave her solo debut recital at Carnegie Hall in 2009. She has been a soloist and lecturer at the Thailand International Composition Festival, performed for the King of Malaysia with the Kuala Lumpur International Festival Orchestra, and traveled all across China on two tours with the Mantovani Pops Orchestra. She has shared the stage with artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, The Eagles, Vince Gill, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Michael Bublé, Peter Gabriel, Josh Groban, Sarah Mclachlan, Idina Menzel, Amy Grant and her recording credits include NBC, Atlantic, and Rhino Records.
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The Zhou B Art Center is a pioneering cultural institution dedicated to fostering artistic excellence, innovation, and inclusivity. Located in the 18th and Vine District, the center provides a dynamic platform for artists, patrons, and the community to engage with the arts. Its facilities include 45 studio spaces, 3 private event spaces, a sculpture garden and exhibition space. The Zhou B Art Center KC will feature a rotation of formal exhibitions to exhibit resident, local, national and international artists. The goal of this interdisciplinary arts building is to foster a vibrant community that extends beyond the arts by actively collaborating with the people of Kansas City through partnerships and a shared vision.
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The Zhou B Art Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to empowering artists and fostering a sustainable arts ecosystem by providing a supportive environment for learning, experimentation and the exploration of their creative spirit. The non-profit’s initiative towards inclusivity and accessibility can be seen with its various means of community outreach, partnerships, subsiding programs, and advocacy efforts.The center will serve as a bridge connecting local artists with regional and national art professionals acting as a beacon for artistic discovery and intercultural understanding. The generosity of donors and partners allows the Zhou B Art Foundation to further its mission to nurture a thriving arts community locally.