by Charlene Baldridge
Soon after Cyrano’s entrance into the ballroom of the Hotel De Bourgogne, he simultaneously fights a duel and composes a rhyming ballade. He is both a poet and swordsman and possesses what he terms panache.
During the evening Roxane’s eyes meet those of Christian (Brendan Griffin), Cyrano’s comrade in a military regiment known as the Gascon Cadets. Christian is long on beauty, short on brains, so the verbally adept Cyrano, touched by Roxane’s passion, composes love letters for Christian to send her, making her fall even more in love.
The scheming Comte de Guiche (Bruce Turk) is in love with Roxane too, and when he discovers that Christian has wed Roxane he sends the Gascon Cadets to war immediately, hoping to destroy both his foes for the beauteous virgin. The inarticulate Christian realizes that Roxane loves only his beauty; that it is Cyrano’s soul she truly loves. When Christian is gravely wounded and dies at the siege of Arras, Cyrano assures him that Roxane will never learn of their ruse, that she loves only Christian. Fifteen years later, the still virginal Roxane, who has lived in a cloister since Christian’s death, realizes the truth.
Page is a slightly more poetic, less physical Cyrano than most, but he makes up for it with impeccable articulation and amazing vocal athletics. Green is lovely as Roxane and Griffin a truly handsome Christian, who does not seem so much the dullard as in previously experienced productions. Turk twirls no mustachios as de Guiche, something that makes his reconciliation and later friendship with Cyrano plausible. Grant Goodman, Eric Hoffmann, Charles Janasz, Celeste Ciulla and Katie MacNichol are excellent as Cyrano’s comrades, trades people and friends. Twelve students of the Old Globe/University of San Diego Master of Fine Arts Program acquit themselves well in supporting roles.
The production looks marvelous, with scenic design by Ralph Funicello, costumes by Anna R. Oliver and lighting design by York Kennedy.
Anthony Burgess’ translation from the French is rife with beautiful language and rhymes so subtle that one is seldom aware until the rhyme is used for comic effect. The text is well spoken by the company, and Christopher R. Walker’s sound design and music are so excellent that even Page’s spoken sotto voce is audible. As usual, the imagery of Resident Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak provides breath-taking moments to savor.
The glory of repertory is that the above-mentioned actors are cast in other festival productions, so theatergoers may see them in contrasting roles. The audience loves it and so do the actors.
“Cyrano de Bergerac” plays in rotating repertory with two plays by William Shakespeare, “Twelfth Night” and “Coriolanus,” at 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays on the outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre at the Old Globe through September 27. There are several weekends during which all may be seen on consecutive nights. Tickets are $29-$68.
Old Globe Theatre
Balboa Park, San Diego
(619) 239-GLOBE
www.oldglobe.org
Charlene Baldridge is a freelance arts writer.
