“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” -Colossians 1:16-17
Mitch Leigh and Joe Darion wrote the music and lyrics for the Broadway musical, Man of La Mancha. This show is widely regarded as one of the greatest musicals of all time. It has won multiple awards, including the Tony for Best Musical and Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical. Since 1965, it has experienced four revivals on Broadway, and this musical has been performed all over the world. Mitch Leigh and Joe Darion were recognized for their achievement with the Tony Award for Best Original Score.
One of the most recognizable songs in Man of La Mancha is The Impossible Dream. This song describes the mission of Don Quixote, who desperately desires to become a knight. It is a powerful and uplifting song that inspires all to “reach the unreachable star.” This song has transcended the Broadway stage and been performed and recorded by some of the greatest singers of the past five decades, including Frank Sinatra, Robert Goulet, Tom Jones, Elvis Presley, Luther Vandross, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Hudson, and Josh Groban.
The two people who wrote this classic song are an improbable duo, having never met one another before they worked on Man of La Mancha. Mitch Leigh and Joe Darion were asked to collaborate on this famous story and help bring it to life on the musical stage. Mitch Leigh had worked as a jingle writer for advertising. He had no significant theatre experience when he was asked to work on the music. Joe Darion was the second person asked to work on the lyrics. He replaced a renowned poet who struggled to create positive and exciting lyrics for the demands of the show. Their lack of prior success was not an obstacle as they created the music for one of the most iconic Broadway shows in history and a song that would travel far beyond the Broadway stage.
We so often let our perception of who we are dictate the possibilities of outcomes in our lives. We limit ourselves based on our prior success or failures. We tell ourselves that we are not good enough or that God couldn’t possibly use us for good. That is just not the case. We are the good creation of God. Through God, all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26) We have been given the ability to dream impossible dreams and, by God’s grace, make our dreams a reality.
To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go
To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star
This is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far
To fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march into Hell
For a heavenly cause
And I know if I’ll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I’m laid to my rest
And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star
Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
