- In this superb production, Cyrano is a sort
of enigma. An excellent swordsman and poet, he is supremely self
confident and arrogant in his dealings with those around him but
cowers in self doubt in matters of love. His large nose has kept him
from expressing his love to his beautiful distant cousin Roxanne as he
considers his ugliness a certain barrier of "being loved by even an
ugly woman." When Roxanne tells Cyrano that she loves Christian, a
handsome young soldier, Cyrano is broken hearted. Worse yet when she
begs Cyrano to watch over him in war, he is devastated, but ever the
gentleman, Cyrano agrees to her request and a strange liaison forms
between the two men.
Christian wants to express his
feelings for her but lacks the scholarship and words to do so. Cyrano
longs to woo her but lacks the courage to declare himself. So he convinces
Christian that he can write letters on his behalf to Roxanne; eloquent,
romantic, flowery letters that will continue to ignite her love. Christian
reluctantly agrees and so begins a courtship of words where Roxanne swoons
over the messages and feels her love grow for him with each letter. When
their squad is sent off to the military front, the letters continue,
sometimes unknown to Christian. Cyrano’s love for Roxanne grows also but
his letters fan the flames of her love for Christian. Tragically,
Christian is killed in battle, and everything changes drastically for her
and eventually for Cyrano.
John Colella nearly walks off
with the show in the part or Cyrano. He is brash, he is insolent, he is
sympathetic but most of all he is heartbreaking as the man who could do
almost anything except find the true love he longed to have. In a perfect
coupling, Olivia D’Abo, beautiful and serene as Roxanne, brings a certain
sadness to the woman who lost her love early in her life and devotes
herself to his memory through the letters she believes came from him. Yet
we get the feeling that maybe, somewhere in back of her mind she may have
suspected that it was Cyrano who wooed her all along.
Toby Moore is excellent as
Christian, the young lover who lacked the words to express himself and
learns too late that love can only thrive when it is nurtured with honesty
and sincerity.
The costumes by Sarah Wilson and
the simple, effective set by Tom Wilson add authenticity to Director Rae
Allen’s smooth, cohesive pace that makes the three act presentation whiz
by effortlessly. The excellent cast creates a wonderfully compelling and
riveting tableau, so much so that in the ending scene several people were
moved to tears by the heartrending depiction of a love lost and
unrequited. But then again, the French are so tragique - no?
If you're looking for a good
holiday gift that will move your friends to tears, this production
is a perfect close for the year. The play runs through January 23,
2011.
Check the website for schedule and
tickets.
Must see pick.
The cast includes Sila Agavale
(Ligniere), Anni Blackhurst (Lise/Orange Girl), Tim
Cox (De Valvert), Paul Denk (Jodelet/Cadet), Bill
Ensley (Montfleury/Cadet), Kelly Gullet (Brisaille/Cadet),
Julia Mcilvaine (Duenna), Jonathan Redding (De
Guiche), Rachel Reynolds (Pickpocket/Cadet), Mark
Rimer (Raggeneau), Chad Wood (Le Bret), Michael Kripchak
(Cadet/General Understudy), Cloe Kromwell, (Roxanne
Alternate), Catesby Bernstein (Understudy Lise/Orange Girl),
Bram Barouh (General Understudy)
