Playing Manny/Sancho Panza in "Quixote Nuevo" by Octavio Solis and directed by Lisa Portes has turned out to be more than a "gig" but a career highlight and a life-changing project. This special section will share some highlights, pictures, and *behind-the-scenes stories.
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Ernie has performed the role of Manny/Sancho Panza 178 times (28 previews, 3 student matinees, and 147 regular performances) at 6 Regional LORT Theatres.
Round House Theater in Bethesda, MD 2021
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*Ernie broke his right foot on opening night and was only able to perform one more additional performance before he had to leave the show.
The Denver Center for Performing Arts in Denver, CO, 2022
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*DCPA's version of "Quixote Nuevo" has been the most technological advanced iteration of the show, which included two lifts and several automated traps and scene changes.
South Coast Repertory Theatre in Costa Mesa, CA, 2023
SCR kicked off a 3-co production of "Quixote Nuevo" with Seattle Rep and Portland Center Stage.
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*At SCR over 20 family members (mostly from Texas) came to see the show and surprised Ernie with custom-made t-shirts.
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Seattle Repertory Theatre in Seattle, WA, 2024
*After having understudied at South Coast, the wonderful Alicia Coca joined the cast, full-time, as Juana--making her Ernie's third show wife.
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*Seattle Rep worked with various community groups to bring in nearly 100 farm workers and their families to see a matinee of the show. They were also treated to breakfast, an intermission snack, and lunch afterward. The children received gift bags with books, school, and art supplies. Some traveled over three hours to see the show (one young man remarked to Ernie, "totally worth it!!").
Portland Center Stage in Portland, Oregon, 2024
*In Portland, the lead role of Quixote (Ernie's main scene partner) was played by the amazing Tony Sancho.
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Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, OR, 2025
*Ernie got the joy and privilege to perform alongside Amy Lizardo, who originated the role of Juana, and with Alysia N. Betran, who understudied and performed, bringing his Quixote stage wife number up to FIVE!!!
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*At OSF, Ernie performed Manny/Sancho Panza in "Quixote Nuevo" and Silvius in "As You Like It," in repertory--often playing both characters on the same day.
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Each new city, stage, crew, cast member, has given Ernie the gift of diving deeper and deeper into this role and this complex, illuminating, and expertly crafted story by Octavio Solis. All of which, of course, would not be possible without the guidance, trust, and stewardship of director Lisa Portes at the helm, as well ass all the amazingly talented, gracious and inspired creatives, designers, AD's, and PA's that have turned this show into a seminal piece of Chicanx/Latine Theatre.
Notable Recognitions
2024 Orange Curtain Awards: Nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play • Manny/Sancho Panza in Quixote Nuevo, South Coast Repertory – Costa Mesa, California, 2023
2023 Broadway World Los Angeles Awards: Nomination for Best Supporting Performer in a Play • Manny/Sancho Panza in Quixote Nuevo, South Coast Repertory – Costa Mesa, California, 2023
2021 DC Metro Theatre Arts Staff Favorites: Outstanding Performances in Professional
Theatre • Manny/Sancho Panza in Quixote Nuevo, Round House Theatre – Bethesda, Maryland, 2021
2023 Broadway World Los Angeles Awards: Nomination for Best Supporting Performer in a Play • Manny/Sancho Panza in Quixote Nuevo, South Coast Repertory – Costa Mesa, California, 2023
2021 DC Metro Theatre Arts Staff Favorites: Outstanding Performances in Professional
Theatre • Manny/Sancho Panza in Quixote Nuevo, Round House Theatre – Bethesda, Maryland, 2021
Notable Reviews
"Also marvelous is González, whose comic timing makes the down-to-earth Manny hilarious..." - The Washington Post, 09/17/21
“Ernie González Jr. plays Manny wonderfully aware of the proximity of humor to heartache.” - The Denver Post, 06/03/22
“Although they are not reunited until closer to the end of the show, the build up to that moment is made better by the humor and comedic timing that Gonzalez lends to Manny…” - Broadway World, 05/27/22
"The character of Manny Diaz is the shining beacon of this show, and Ernie González Jr. plays Manny with brilliant deadpan comedy. Line after delicious line of Manny's dialogue places him in the tradition of the comedic fool, whose simplicity hides wisdom and whose sincerity empowers his friend." - DC Metro Theatre, 01/06/22
"simply superb" - Newport Beach Independent, 10/13/23
"Ernie González, Jr., guileless and charming” -The Seattle Times 1/26/24
"Comedy is abundant and Ernie Gonzalez, Jr. is wonderful as the good-natured and slightly befuddled Manny, who gets dubbed Sancho Panza, and dragged along the journey." - Seattle Gay Scene 02/05/24
Though he plays the sidekick, Gonzalez steals the show. He has some of the funniest lines in the entire play and never misses a comedic beat. He grasps not only the humor of his character but of the production overall. Solis’ witty writing and creative bilingual wordplay deserve much of the credit as well, of course, but I can’t imagine anyone better than Gonzalez to perform them. - Drama in the Hood 1/28/24
"...play by Ernie González with just the right amount of naiveté, blind allegiance, and arduousness. This is a character you can love. He just wants to believe in Quijano so badly. You can feel it in every fiber of this actor's being." - The Rogue Valley Times 07/30/25
“Ernie González Jr. plays Manny wonderfully aware of the proximity of humor to heartache.” - The Denver Post, 06/03/22
“Although they are not reunited until closer to the end of the show, the build up to that moment is made better by the humor and comedic timing that Gonzalez lends to Manny…” - Broadway World, 05/27/22
"The character of Manny Diaz is the shining beacon of this show, and Ernie González Jr. plays Manny with brilliant deadpan comedy. Line after delicious line of Manny's dialogue places him in the tradition of the comedic fool, whose simplicity hides wisdom and whose sincerity empowers his friend." - DC Metro Theatre, 01/06/22
"simply superb" - Newport Beach Independent, 10/13/23
"Ernie González, Jr., guileless and charming” -The Seattle Times 1/26/24
"Comedy is abundant and Ernie Gonzalez, Jr. is wonderful as the good-natured and slightly befuddled Manny, who gets dubbed Sancho Panza, and dragged along the journey." - Seattle Gay Scene 02/05/24
Though he plays the sidekick, Gonzalez steals the show. He has some of the funniest lines in the entire play and never misses a comedic beat. He grasps not only the humor of his character but of the production overall. Solis’ witty writing and creative bilingual wordplay deserve much of the credit as well, of course, but I can’t imagine anyone better than Gonzalez to perform them. - Drama in the Hood 1/28/24
"...play by Ernie González with just the right amount of naiveté, blind allegiance, and arduousness. This is a character you can love. He just wants to believe in Quijano so badly. You can feel it in every fiber of this actor's being." - The Rogue Valley Times 07/30/25