In the musical “Man of La Mancha,” nothing is quite what it seems.

A reimagining of Miguel de Cervantes’ masterpiece “Don Quixote,” the play tells the story of a fictional author by the same name who is imprisoned during the Spanish Inquisition. When his fellow prisoners put him on trial, Cervantes stages a play as his defense using the prisoners as performers.

The play-within-the-play tells the story of Alonso Quijana, an old man who is losing his grip on reality and believes himself to be the brave knight Don Quixote de la Mancha.

Senior Jack Shales is playing the title role in this weekend’s production at St. Charles North High School.

“It’s been by far the most challenging thing I’ve ever done in theater,” said Shales, 18. “I’m telling the story of the show while also being the main vehicle through which the show runs.”

Having played mainly supporting roles in the past, Shales said he knows the importance of every person on stage and behind the scenes.

“These shows can’t be done with one person,” he said. “No matter how small (the roles) look on paper, everyone has to do their job. ... Everyone has to be on their game.”

Shales said his biggest challenge in preparing for the role is creating a character that is really three separate people. He had to find the unique aspects of Cervantes, Quijana and Quixote and then blend them into one character, he said.

Director Dale Morgan said he chose “Man of La Mancha” because he believed the school has the talent to tackle the challenging work and because he thought it would teach the student performers something about musical theater and classic literature. 

“It’s really important that we have the talent to do it, but it’s also important that kids understand how it fits into the whole history of musical theater,” said Morgan, who was a professional actor in musical theater for nearly two decades.

Senior Danielle Floyd plays Aldonza, a barmaid and prostitute who is treated roughly by patrons who frequent the inn where she works. When Quixote encounters Aldonza, he sees her as the beautiful Dulcinea.

Getting into character has been hard work, Floyd said.

“The biggest challenge for me is probably how risqué and flirty I have to be,” said Floyd, an 18-year-old.

Ben Gaddis, an 18-year-old senior, plays Sancho Panza, Don Quixote’s sidekick.

“My character in the show follows Don Quixote around,” Gaddis said. “Don Quixote is a little crazy, and so Sancho kind of supports that (craziness) while making sure he doesn’t get hurt.”

Gaddis said “Man of La Mancha” is one of his favorite musicals.

“It really does tell a story of hope,” he said. “Its message speaks really loudly today: to dream the impossible dream and go after things