New York City Broadway Theater Guide

Cyrano de Bergerac

Broadway Drama

Previews  October 12 2007
Opened  November 1 2007
Closed  January 6 2008

Run  21 previews & 56 performances

Producers

Susan Bristow LLC, James L Nederlander, Terry Allen Kramer, Stewart F Lane, Bonnie Comley, et al

Creative

Edmond Rostand author
David Leveaux director

Gregory Gale costume design
Donald Holder lighting design
Tom Pye scenic design
Daivd Van Tiegham sound design

Synopsis

In Cyrano de Bergerac the title character, thinking his appearance will not win the hand of any young maiden, uses his words to help friend Christian De Neuvillette win the heart of Roxane, Cyrano's own true love. Years after Christian dies in battle Roxane discovers who she really loves

Broadway Show History

Cyrano has been performed on Broadway, or its earlier counterparts, at least thirteen times prior to this production

Mansfield. Hampden. Ferrer. Wow! But also take a look at the 1900 production; Constant Coquelin originated the role at France's Porte Saint Martin in 1897 and was now touring the show with Sarah Bernhardt

Tidbit There are differing versions of a story concerning a benefit performance of the 1947 production. One states Jose Ferrer played the first four acts, with Walter Hampden playing the fifth. One has Hampden as Cyrano during the first two acts and Ferrer playing the third. And another has them each playing a scene or two as Cyrano in the last act. Whatever, something along those lines did occur. And Mr Ferrer received the 1947 Tony® for outstanding performance, the first four awarded

Musical Versions

The Frank Wilson Opera Company staged a Victor Herbert-Stuart Reed tuner in September-October 1899 at the Knickerbocker Theater. Francis Wilson played Cyrano, Lulu Glaser played Roxane and Charles H Bowers played Christian

It took a bit more that 70 years for another musical offering to appear. This time around it was a Michael J Lewis-Anthony Burgess attempt in May, 1973. We don't think 49 performances at the Palace Theater is what they had in mind when the Michael Kidd directed and choreographed production opened. But that's all they got out of it. Christopher Plummer starred opposite Leigh Berry as Roxana and Mark Lamos as Christian. Tovah Feldshuh made her Broadway debut in her role as a Foodseller

A third version, Cyrano the Musical, hit the boards of the Neil Simon Theater in November 1993. With a book and lyrics by Koen Van Dijk and music by Ad Van Dijk, Cyrano was played by Bill Van Dijk. Anne Ruolfsson appeared as Roxane, with Paul Anthony Stewart as Christian

In the Movies

Jose Ferrer reprised his Cyrano in the 1950 film adaptation that featured Mala Powers as Roxane and William Prince as Christian. For his performance, Mr Ferrer walked away with the best actor Oscar that year

We can't leave out comedy, especially when funny man Steve Martin puts on the big nose in 1987's Roxanne, with Daryl Hannah and Rick Rossivich

Folks in 1990 saw Gerard Depardieu on the big screen opposite Anne Brochet and Vincent Perex

On Television

The BBC broadcast the first television version of the show in 1938. It starred Leslie Banks as Cyrano, Constance Cummings as Roxane and James Mason as Christian

Jose Ferrer also brought his Cyrano to television. In a 1949 Philco Television Playhouse production he played opposite Frances Reid and Ernest Graves. And 1955 saw him in a Producer's Showcase episode with Claire Bloom and Christopher Plummer. And if that ain't enough, Mr Ferrer voiced Cyrano for a 1974 ABC After School Special. Joan Van Ark and Victor Garber voiced Roxanne and Christian

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