He enjoys reading almost incessantly. He eventually goes mad from reading too many books of chivalry (which were in vogue then) and decides to become a knight-errant himself - Don Quixote de la Mancha. Don Quixote, on horseback and in armor, with Sancho Panza (James Coco) riding a donkey at his side, sets out early one morning to find adventures.. Man of La Mancha is a 1965 musical with a book by Dale Wasserman, music by Mitch Leigh, and lyrics by Joe Darion. It is adapted from Wasserman's non-musical 1959 teleplay I, Don Quixote, which was in turn inspired by Miguel de Cervantes and his 17th-century novel Don Quixote.
Get ready to explore Man of La Mancha and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.. The scene is Seville, Spain, at the end of the 16th century (Overture). Tax collector, soldier, author Miguel de Cervantes and his man, Sancho, are cast into the prison common room by the Spanish Inquisition because they foreclosed on a church in default with its taxes. The thieves and robbers in the prison are quick to descend upon the new arrivals and ravish their possessions. Cervantes.