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22 + WATERLOO CHRONICLE * Wednesday, September 12, 200 CFUW Kâ€"W meets the 37 Tuesday monthly. Each meeting explores a topic of cultural, educational, or social interest. We also offer over 40 interest groups such as Bridge, Investments, Arts, Theatre, Wine Tasting, Gourmet Cooking, Travel, Book Clubs, Gardening, and Nutrition. Hilliard Hall, First United Church, Waterioo (Corner of William and King Streets) www.cfuwkw.org 519â€"740â€"5249 Tuesday, September 18 6:30pm Continued from page 21 pinpoint the moment their love of dance was sparked. Laiya does have a telling photo of her when she was two years old though. Girls not ready for a lifetime commitment it was Christmas and she was wearing a tutu and ballet slippers â€" gifts from Santa â€" and standing in first posiâ€" tion with her arms above her head. "That was just my dream to be a ballerina," she said, adding she began formal lesâ€" sons when she was four years old, around the same time as Stephanie. Sofy still remembers the tears that welled in her eyes the first time she saw Laiya perform a solo. "I‘m overwhelmed every time L see them dance and see what they accomplish and what they can do, and how beautiful and mature they look," she said. Whether their futures will revolve around dance is uncertain. Stephanie may audition to the National Balâ€" let School again, and possiâ€" bly to one in the U.S. when The 2007 season at the Drayton Festiâ€" val Theatre is set to end on a high note this fall with the epic Broadway musical Man of La Mancha. This timeless tale of love and redemption is sure to enthrall audiâ€" ences with its enchanting melodies and grand theatrical transformations startâ€" ing Sept. 18. At the end of the 16th century, in a bleak dungeon, the imprisoned playâ€" wright Miguel de Cervantes is awaiting trial by the dreaded Spanish Inquisiâ€" tion. But first he must face a court of felâ€" low prisoners anxious to relieve him of his few possessions â€" including a preâ€" cious unfinished manuscript. In order to save himself, Cervantes stages the saga of Don Quixote, casting himself as the deluded knight errant, and embarks on a magical adventure to defend the noble principles of honour and truth. Man of La Mancha comes to Drayton "Man of La Mancha is a captivating tale of a play within a play," says Alex Mustakas, artistic director for Drayton Entertainment. "The production has special meaning for me, as it largely inspired me to pursue a career in the performing arts." Anchored by its breathtaking score, Man of La Mancha is a trendâ€"settingâ€" musical masterpiece that takes the audience through the entire spectrum of human emotion, from laughter to tears. Its unabashed message of idealism and unwavering courage in the depths of despair is extremely potent in our modern times. Robert More, artistic director of Vicâ€" toria Playhouse in Petrolia, is assuming directing duties. _ The outstanding 20â€"member cast is led by David Ludwig in the dual role of Cervantes and Don Quixote. Ludwig has a list of impressive credits, includâ€" ing National Tours of Titanic â€" The Musical and Phantom of the Opera, along with the role of the beast in Drayâ€" ton Entertainment‘s production of Beauty and the Beast. His faithful companion, Sancho Panza, is played by Drayton Entertainâ€" ment audience favourite Wade Lynch of Shear Madness fame. Rebecca Poff, who mesmerized audiences as Aldonâ€" za/Duicinea in the 2004 production of Man of La Mancha at Huron Country Playhouse, returns to the role which brought her universal acclaim. Man of La Mancha plays eight shows a week through Oct. 13. Tickets can be ordered by calling the Drayton Festival Theatre box office at 519â€"638â€" 5555 or toll free at 1â€"888â€"449â€"4463. For more information please visit www.draytonfestivaltheatre.com. said, _ she‘s older. She‘s also thought } lesâ€" _ about taking an arts program four _ in university that allows her same _ to continue dancing. Laiya plans to apply to another program but she doesn‘t think she will pursue a career as a ballerina. "To be able to dance every day and make that your life would be amazing," she said. "But you get out of it maybe 15 years of an actuâ€" al dance career at most, and you‘re left with nothing, and 1 don‘t really want that for myself. "So I think 1 will continue dance for as Jong as 1 possiâ€" bly can, but I‘m not so sure I‘ll make it my career."