Man of La Mancha finds Miguel de Cervantes in a dungeon with other prisoners, defending his life by narrating the story of Don Quixote, the naïve but faithful Sancho Panza, and the scrappy Aldonza. The treatment of Aldonza/Dulcinea in the musical, as opposed to the novel, is deeply disturbing. Cervantes's brawny farm girl becomes a prostitute who's brutally gang-raped in a barn. Quixote trounces the rapists ... then ministers to their wounds. But what of Aldonza's? What's the point of this added scene? Why not have Quixote - hell, Aldonza - prevent the attack?

Tacoma Musical Playhouse deploys undeniable talent, especially in the lead roles.

Read Christian Carvajal's full review of Man of La Mancha in the Music & Culture section.

MAN OF LA MANCHA, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, through April 6, Tacoma Musical Playhouse, 7116 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, $20-$29, 253.565.6867