Long considered one of the world's greatest novel, Miguel del Cervantes' "The Ingenious Hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha" has been inspiring writers, composers, artists, and filmmakers since it was first published in 1604 - everyone from Richard Strauss to Picasso, Henry Fielding and, most recently in the popular culture with the movie "They Might Be Giants," starring George C. Scott and the hit Broadway musical,"The Man of La Mancha" with Richard Kiley as Don Quixote.

Today, we feature Juli Crockett's ingenious adaptation of Chapter 1of "Don Quixote," entitled "The Dawn of Quixote, Chapter the First." It presents an intriguing rumination on reason, romance, illusion, and the hope and futility of it all for a knight errant who fights the good fight, even when it seems destined to fail - a sort of "Waiting for Godot" meets "Don Quixote." Inspired by a philosophical treatise by Miguel Unamuno and the writings of Friedrich Nietzsche, according to playwright Crockett, it takes an obsessive look at the moment in which the Man of La Mancha decides to become a Knight, after reading too many books on chivalry.  It is about being driven mad by the beauty of language, philosophy, and ideals and, finally, making the decision to take action and live the ideals.

"The Dawn of Quixote" was first performed at Edgefest and the 24th Street Theatre in Los Angeles. It was written and directed by Juli Crockett and features Shaughn Buchholz as Quixote, Patrick Ian Moore as Sancho,, and Juli Crockett as Dulcinea. Live musical accompaniment is by Henry Bermudez, Keith Lubow,  and David Hurlin of The Evangenitals.  Join us for a quixotic hour as we tilt at windmills and dream our impossible dreams. For additional info, go to www.evangenitals.com.