The Boston Crusaders are excited to bring their 2016 production, Quixotic, to the field; a reflection of the masterpiece The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha. Considered one of the most influential works of literature from the Spanish Golden Age, Don Quixote has been called “the best literary work ever written” by the Bokklubben World Library. Authored by Miguel de Cervantes, the novel takes the readers through the adventures of Mr. Alonso Quixano. Quixano reads so many books he loses his sanity, re-imagines himself as “Don Quixote,” and sets out to revive chivalry and bring justice to the world. This ‘knight errant’ is a visionary, defining his own reality, on a noble quest so real in his imagination.

“When life itself seems lunatic, who knows where madness lies? Perhaps to be too practical is madness. To surrender dreams — this may be madness. Too much sanity may be madness — and maddest of all: to see life as it is, and not as it should be!”

-Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote

Cervantes scholar, Ilan Stavans (Quixote: The Novel and the World) states that quixotic is the only word coined by the actual title of a novel. “It’s just extraordinary… the name of the character has become an adjective… you can be quixotic without having any understanding of who Don Quixote is or what he does.” Quixotic is defined as, “exceedingly idealistic: unrealistic and impractical; utopian; visionary; romantic.” This is the inspiration for our 2016 production. On a field of windmills, the show opens with an interpretation of The Impossible Dream” and “I, Don Quixote” from the Broadway musical. The corps travels the entirety of the field, in itself a challenging musical and visual feat, reflecting Quixote’s quest “to travel the world, righting all wrongs.” The heart of the program presents a series of juxtaposed visual and musical events, non sequiturs reflecting the hero’s various adventures, battles and visions. Solo performers, small ensembles, mixed large ensembles, percussion interludes, guard layering and interruptions present full sensory “quixoticism.” The production climaxes with “tilting at windmills” (literally) ((or are they giants?)), the definitive image of Don Quixote.

The program concludes with the iconic “The Impossible Dream,” the musical reflection of Don Quixote’s spirit and journey, an anthem for the quixotic dreamer in us all.

“What we really wanted was a departure from the last few years,” said Corps Director Jeff Pearson. “It still captures the soul of the Boston Crusaders, but in a new way on the field. Quixotic is, at it’s heart, a story of dreams and triumph, something that really resonates with this corps.”

Musical Selections

“The Impossible Dream (The Quest)” from Man of La Mancha (Mitch Leigh) “Man of La Mancha (I, Don Quixote) from Man of La Mancha (Mitch Leigh)

“Dulcinea” from Man of La Mancha (Mitch Leigh)

“Asturias (Leyenda)” from Suite España, Op 47 (Isaac Albéniz)

“Kiriki Film” from IRIS (Danny Elfman)

“Quixotic” (Ryan George, Ellis Hampton, Marty O’Donnell)