Aside from the fact that they make up the Old Globe’s 2009 Shakespeare Festival, William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” and “Coriolanus” and Edmond Rostand’s “Cyrano de Bergerac” appear to have little in common other than all are big shows and play exceptionally well outdoors. What they do have in common, however, is magic. Resident artistic director Darko Tresnjak stages “Coriolanus” and “Cyrano,” each of which presents a fascinating protagonist — one cocksure and the other not so, except when dueling or writing verse. Festival newcomer Greg Derelian portrays the warrior Coriolanus, who returns heroic from battle but is not the statesman his mother wishes him to be. The versatile Patrick Page, previously seen at the Globe in “The Pleasure of His Company” and “Dancing in the Dark” (San Diego Theatre Critics Award), plays Cyrano, whose bulbous nose, at least in his mind, makes him unfit for the love of the beautiful Roxane. Page also portrays the overweening servant, Malvolio, a man entirely different from Cyrano, in “Twelfth Night.” Lest one think the men are having all the fun this season, veteran director Paul Mullins stages Shakespeare’s romantic comedy “Twelfth Night,” which has three meaty women’s roles: the shipwrecked Viola (Dana Green, also Roxane in “Cyrano”), the noblewoman Olivia and the fun-loving household attendant Maria. Other than uniformity of excellence, what the three productions have in common is a 26-member core company of fine actors — 12 Equity and 14 USD/Globe MFA students — perfectly cast and directed, who bring each play to life all summer long. Some are veterans of as many as four festival seasons. Moreover, design and musical elements are extraordinary this year. The three classic works play in rotating repertory through Sept. 27. Repertory is a glorious thing for actors and playgoers alike. It allows the actors to “stretch,” portraying contrasting roles in the space of a week (yes, they relish learning all those lines). Those sitting in the dark are challenged to realize that the disarming actor of one play is so devious in the next. For instance, Bruce Turk twirls his mustachios as the lecherous Comte de Guiche in “Cyrano,” and in contrast turns in deliciously physical comedy as Sir Andrew Aguecheek, the gauche houseguest in “Twelfth Night.” Celeste Ciulla plays a small role in “Cyrano,” then breaks our hearts with a profound Volumnia, Coriolanus’ mother in “Coriolanus.” Heard on the street: “Have you seen the Globe’s festival season yet?” “Yes, I’ve seen all three.” “Which is the best?” “‘Cyrano.’” Ask someone else and there’s bound to be a different answer. There might be dueling in the streets and coffeehouses, but it all depends upon which genre one prefers, classic action (“Coriolanus”), classic romance (“Cyrano”) or Shakespearean staple (“Twelfth Night”). Pick your preference, or see all three. So grand a dilemma of choice may not come this way again. “Cyrano de Bergerac,” “Twelfth Night” and “Coriolanus” play through Sept. 27 in rotating repertory, at 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays in the outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre at the Old Globe, Balboa Park. For tickets ($29-$68), visit www.oldglobe.org or call (619) 239-GLOBE. There are several weekends during which all may be seen on consecutive nights. For a complete schedule, go to http://www.theoldglobe .org/calendar/index.aspx.