Review: Chasing the Impossible Dream: Why REP’s Man of La Mancha is Masterful, Mad, and Must-See
Guest Review
When I first heard that Nonie Buencamino was stepping into the armor of Alonso Quijano/Don Quixote for Repertory Philippines’ Man of La Mancha, I knew instantly it was an unmissable theatrical event. Watching him breathe life into this hopelessly idealistic, beautifully detached-from-reality character is everything I wished it would be, and so much more.
A Masterclass in Madness
To witness greatness on stage is to surrender to it completely. For two hours without an intermission, I was held utterly captive by Buencamino’s erring knight. Whether sparked to laughter by his infamous battle with a windmill, moved to breathless awe during his first encounter with Aldonza, or swept up in the fierce resolve of "The Impossible Dream," Buencamino pulls you entirely into his ride.
It makes you wonder: Is there truth to this madness? Perhaps the reality he created in his mind is the sanctuary we all secretly need. Maybe, just maybe, delusion is the only way to break free from the (in)visible prisons we find ourselves in.
Buencamino’s performance is as nuanced as it was grand, as sincere as it was comical, and pulsing with heart at every turn. He makes you believe every single thing he wants you to believe, including seeing a rough kitchen maid as pure nobility.
The Ultimate Enabler
Of course, a knight-errant is nothing without his squire. A role that could easily be dismissed as mere comic relief is played with brilliant sharp-wittedness by Marvin Ong.
Ong doesn't just play Sancho Panza as a goofy sidekick; he roots him in a familiar, grounded reality. We all know the type: the fiercely loyal companion who feeds the madness not out of blind ignorance, but out of genuine devotion to their lord. Ong is pitch-perfect, boasting immaculate comic timing that makes him an absolute delight to watch.
Vocally Sublime, Visually Guarded
This production marked my first time seeing Katrine Sunga (Aldonza) onstage. It is a monumental challenge for any actor, regardless of experience, to hold their own against a titan like Nonie Buencamino. Unfortunately, that pressure felt a bit too apparent on opening night.
While Sunga was vocally flawless, her staging left something to be desired. Whether due to opening-night nerves or directing choices, she frequently closed herself off, barely showing her face to the audience during her most critical emotional peaks. It’s a frustrating hurdle, but one that can be easily fixed by opening up her blocking and letting the audience in on her expressions.
The Verdict: Ambitious and Unforgettable
As a whole, REP’s staging is remarkably ambitious. While some technical elements left more to be desired (the chamber orchestra could have been maximized to add to comical scenes that fell flat, and the onstage exhaust fans, a clever nod to the windmills, felt more decorative than functional), the show ultimately delivers.
The production reaches a breathtaking crescendo in the finale. As the full ensemble takes the stage, they collectively carry the massive weight of the show’s profound thesis: that in a cynical world, a fierce, defiant madness is the only thing that can truly liberate the human spirit from its everyday prisons.
Watching Nonie Buencamino command a stage should be on every theatre lover’s bucket list. Backed by the stellar Marvin Ong, his performance alone is more than enough reason to book your tickets immediately.
Production details are based on information released by Repertory Philippines. Curtain-call photos courtesy of Pia Bonalos-Mercado.