Cyrano de Bergerac Review – Seduction by Words

French poet/playwright Edmond Rostand penned the tale of Cyrano de Bergerac in 1897, a play written in verse with rhyming couplets of 12 syllables per line – and meticulously researched so that any allusions were time-appropriate to Cyrano’s day. This is a piece which has been translated into multiple languages and performed internationally. CYRANO DE BERGERAC even introduced the word “panache” to the English language. It’s hard to believe that the slyly comedic story which reaches such profound depths was authored by the same man whose first play, The Romantics, was silly, lighthearted, and shallow – but launched Rostand’s highly successful career and ended only with his death from Spanish flu at the age of 50.

Will Hochman and Chukwudi Iwuji – Photo by Jeff Lorch

It would be hard to locate anyone in this day and age who has no idea who Cyrano de Bergerac is, so ubiquitous is Rostand’s tale of a triangle composed of one desirable woman and two men, one the proverbial hunk and the other the brainy wordsmith. This classic tale has remained the perfect example of the dichotomy posed by love: Which is more appealing, the beautiful face and body or the creative brain? With that said, Martin Crimp decided to freely adapt Rostand’s CYRANO DE BERGERAC to modern sensibilities. The result is a more casual yet still powerful story skillfully presented at the Pasadena Playhouse in 2024.

Chukwudi Iwuji and Cast – Photo by Jeff Lorch

The time is the eighteenth century, and the place is Paris. Cyrano (Chukwudi Iwuji) is a nobleman/soldier known for his proficient use of the sword and his even more accomplished way with words. He is revered by his cadets and reviled by his enemies for his sharp tongue and strong opinions. But Cyrano also has the largest nose in town, a shortcoming which has adversely affected his love life. Cyrano is hopelessly in love with his niece Roxane (Rosa Salazar) but is afraid to declare his feelings because he sees himself as the ugliest man in Paris. When Roxane comes to him confessing her attraction to Christian (Will Hochman), one of his new cadets, Cyrano’s dreams become nightmares.

Chukwudi Iwuji and Sawyer Patterson – Photo by Jeff Lorch

And then life throws its unanticipated curve ball: Roxane insists on lots and lots of very romantic and poetic words as part of her courtship – and Christian doesn’t understand the request and clearly isn’t up to the task. But Cyrano definitely is – and so the two develop a fascinating duality as Christian provides the perfect body and Cyrano provides the sensuous words. Leaving Roxane in the swirling depths of love. What could possibly go wrong?

Rosa Salazar and Chukwudi Iwuji – Photo by Jeff Lorch

Brilliantly directed by Mike Donahue, CYRANO DE BERGERAC takes Rostand’s dated lines and turns them into flowing rivers of romantic love – aided and abetted by Iwuji, a man who knows his way around classical theater and makes sure that every line has a life of its own. Salazar’s Roxane has also developed some strong opinions over the years since Rostand created her. She is no longer the demure damsel in distress, courtesy of the nefarious machinations to get in her pants performed by De Guiche (Michael Nathanson). Now she wants a lot more self-determination – and has the gutsy style to prove it – than Rostand’s little flower. The talented and diverse cast does a bang-up job of bringing Rostand into the twenty-first century. Even a flowery Hamlet feels the change right from the beginning of the show.

Chukwudi Iwuji, Rosa Salazar, Kimberly Scott, Mike Donahue, and Will Hochman at the Pasadena Playhouse – Photo courtesy of Pasadena Playhouse

CYRANO DE BERGERAC is a real audience pleaser – but perhaps a bit long for today’s audiences. At the same time, audiences will probably feel a lot closer to Cyrano and company with Crimp’s alterations to the original (including having cast members seated in the audience when the play begins). This is definitely a production worth seeing. It is entertaining, thought-provoking, funny, poignant, and all the other adjectives reserved for good theater.

CYRANO DE BERGERAC runs through September 29, 2024, with performances at 8 p.m. on Wednesdays through Fridays, at 7 p.m. on Thursdays, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. on Sundays (7 p.m. on September 29), and at 8 p.m. on Tuesday September 17. The Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 S. El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101. Tickets start at $40, and membership packages are available starting at $104. For information and reservations, call 626-356-7529 or go online.