“The Impossible Dream” may be the signature song from “Man of La Mancha,” but as far as Kevin McGuire and Sandra Bargman are concerned, it’s only second-best in the show.

McGuire, founder of The Theatre Company at Hubbard Hall back in 1999, and Bargman, a New York City singer/actress based in Woodstock, will both have the opportunity to sing their favorite, “Dulcinea,” when the smash Broadway musical from 1965 takes the Hubbard Hall stage tonight at 7 and runs through May 31.

“They wrote this musical when they wrote Broadway songs that became hits,” said McGuire, who, in this play within a play, portrays Miguel de Cervantes. The character is a 17th century writer who plays a man, a country squire by the name of Alonzo Quixarno, who thinks he is the dauntless knight known as Don Quixote. “It was absolutely a hit, but to me the most beautiful song in the show is ‘Dulcinea.’ It’s a great song.”

Bargman feels the same way, and although the song is initially sung by Quixote to her character Aldonza, she also gets the opportunity to give the music her own twist later in the show.

“I do a reprise of the song and I absolutely love it,” she said. “It speaks about transformation, and being seen for who you really are. I love all the music in this show, but that song is my favorite. The music and the words are both beautiful.”

Classic tale

“Man of La Mancha” is a musical based on the classic 17th century piece of work by Cervantes, “Don Quixote.” The play opens with Cervantes, incorporated into the musical version by book writer Dale Wasserman, awaiting his fate by the Spanish Inquisition. While he waits, he and his fellow prisoners perform a play with Cervantes acting as Quixarno, a “mad knight” known as Don Quixote. He and his faithful companion Sancho Panza travel the countryside, looking to slay dragons, save damsels in distress and generally right all wrongs.

Wasserman originally wrote a nonmusical version that first appeared on television as part of CBS’ Dupont Show of the Month program in 1959.

Persuaded by Broadway director Albert Marre to turn the play into a musical, Wasserman did just that with Mitch Leigh providing the music and Joe Darion the lyrics. In 1965, “Man of La Mancha” won five Tonys, including Best Musical and Best Actor for Richard Kiley. It ran for more than 2,000 performances and had three revivals on Broadway, the most recent in 2002 securing Tony nominations for Brian Stokes Mitchell and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio in the two lead roles.

McGuire, a Hoosick Falls native who found success on Broadway in “Les Miserables” before returning to upstate New York to form his own theater company, is performing in his first production of “Man of La Mancha.”

“It’s a show I’ve always loved and always wanted to do,” said McGuire, who is also directing the production. “I saw it in the ’70s with my father and it was an incredible experience. It’s a strange confection of classic theater and fantasy, and it’s a challenge to both direct and perform, but I also knew it would be a lot of fun.”

Leaving Hubbard Hall

Although nothing is official yet, McGuire confirmed that he is leaving Hubbard Hall, something he first mentioned last month while directing and producing the New Plays Festival at Proctors in Schenectady. His exit, however, doesn’t necessarily mean he will no longer be performing there.

“I don’t know yet just what is going to happen, but I probably won’t be here, at least not based here next year,” said McGuire. “It’s time for a change, for the company and for me, but we haven’t decided yet exactly what’s going to happen.”

Bargman’s appearance at Hubbard Hall will be her second. She was part of the cast for “He Who Gets Slapped” in 2004.

“We worked very well together before, and I knew she could sing very well,” McGuire said of Bargman. “The music is right in her vocal range, and she’s the perfect type. It’s been very enjoyable working together with her on this project.”

The role of Aldonza is also a first for Bargman.

“I saw this as a kid at the Pittsburgh Light Opera Company where I grew up,” said Bargman. “I thought it was spectacular, and although I’ve been asked to do it twice, both times it fell through for different reasons and I haven’t done it yet. So this is a lifelong dream for me.”

Bargman, who was in an off-Broadway production of “Tusk: The Musical,” also recently began a new chapter in her life, that as an interfaith minister. She was ordained last year after completing her courses at The New Seminary Center for Interfaith Ministries in New York City.

“Ultimately, I want to combine my love for the theater with my interfaith ministry, maybe as a bridge builder between different cultures,” she said. “I was raised as a Christian, but eventually I realized Christianity wasn’t answering all my questions. So I explored other faith-based traditions, and now, although we still don’t have all the answers, I look to help anyone who is seeking an alternative or wants to enhance their spirituality.”

Bargman said her own spiritual journey of the past few years has helped her appreciate even more the message of “Man of La Mancha.”

“It’s the story of the eternal search for truth,” she said, “and it speaks to this wonderful transformation. It’s a wonderful story. And when you add the absolutely beautiful music, it’s a great combination.”

Joining Bargman and McGuire in the cast for “Man of La Mancha” are Doug Ryan as Sancho Panza, Kiley St. John as Antonio and Richard Howe as the Padre.