Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac, freely and radically adapted by Martin Crimp and directed by Mike Donahue, is a boldly poetic retelling of a classic that gets a stunning production at Pasadena Playhouse starring Chukwudi Iwuji.
The bones of the play remain intact; Cyrano, a fearless and skilled soldier who also happens to be a talented and tortured poet, has long been in love with his distant cousin, the beautiful Roxane. Because of his perceived ugliness and exceedingly large nose, he has never dared to reveal his feelings, knowing she couldn’t possibly return his love. Roxane confides in Cyrano, not only sharing with him her feelings for the dashing Christian, but asking Cyrano to keep him safe as one of the young soldiers in Cyrano’s regiment. Christian however proves inept at expressing himself and begs Cyrano to write letters to Roxane on his behalf and so begins a deception that will have devastating consequences.
With the lack of a physical manifestation of Cyrano’s famous nose, this production puts our focus squarely on the words – their power, and the destruction our own insecurities can have in our lives.
Chukwudi Iwuju, best known for his role as “The High Evolutionary” in the 3rd installment of “Guardians of the Galaxy” shows his deep theatre roots (Obie and Olivier award winning) here with a performance that is fierce, fiery, and painfully poignant. His Cyrano captivates with rapier wit, dazzling physicality and heroic vulnerability. It really is a performance that is not to be missed. Rosa Salazar is a sexy and rebellious Roxane whose intellectual brilliance goes toe to toe with her cherished friend. Will Hochman is a charming Christian, imbuing him with a surprising pathos, confusion and his own self-doubt.
Larry Powell is delightful as Cyrano’s gender-fluid fellow poet, Lignière, Kimberly Scott brings a motherly gravitas to café owner and writing instructor, Madame Ragueneau, and Michael Nathanson is hilarious and creepy as the vain and vengeful De Guiche.
The cast is wonderful with Aaron Costa Ganis as Le Bret, Sawyer Patterson’s Valvert, and an ensemble in multiple roles, Jens Ausin Astrup, E.M. Davis, Christine Lin, Barry Livingston, Kila Packett, Jonathan Slavin, and John Garet Stoker.
The show has tremendous energy with a sublime cast delivering text that is gloriously nuanced and infused with the beauty of the written word. It is thoroughly contemporary and relatable to a modern audience who, with the tragic turn of events in the third act, may recognize that when we embrace our imperfections, our authentic selves, we can have the self-worth to know that what is meant for us will come if and when we are true to ourselves.
Cyrano de Bergerac plays through September 29, 2024 at Pasadena Playhouse located at 39 South El Molino Avenue in Pasadena, CA 91101. Tickets and info at PasadenaPlayhouse.org or call (626) 356-7529 or visit the box office in person.
