The Arlington Players are preparing to put on its production of “Man of La Mancha,”  which opens on Friday, Sept. 23 at 8 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre, located at 125 S. Old Glebe Road, Arlington.

Director Clare Shaffer makes her Arlington Players debut with this bold new vision of a beloved classic musical, featuring a diverse, non-traditional cast of all ages, races and backgrounds. “We could not be more excited to be sharing this wonderful musical with the Arlington community,” said Clare Shaffer, Director.

“’Man of La Mancha’ is a story very much about community. It’s about community building in the face of adversity. It’s about sharing stories and what that means to a group of people.” The Tony Award-winning musical “Man of La Mancha” is a play within a play, based on Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra’s Don Quixote. It’s the story of an old man whose impossible dream takes over his mind.

“The Arlington Players has a long history of presenting theater in the grand style, and this production of ‘Man of La Mancha’ certainly continues that tradition,” said Meghann Peterlin, president of the Arlington Players.

The Arlington Players’ production of “Man of La Mancha” will run from September 23 – October 8 with shows at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. On Sunday, Sept. 25, the audience is invited to a post-show discussion with the cast and production team to learn more about the process of putting on the show.

Also, on Saturday, Oct. 8, the production will be interpreted by an American Sign Language interpreter. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit thearlingtonplayers.org.