Program Notes: MasterWorks Theatre Production - July 14 - 16

Edmond Rostand

(1886 – 1918)

Cyrano de Bergerac

Until Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac, late 19^th century drama was dominated by grim, realistic stories and unsentimental characters. Theater tradition up to this point featured psychological examinations of characters from Greek or Roman history. Rostand’s departure from realist tradition produced a historical romance set in the 1640s, featuring a larger-than-life hero with a larger-than-life nose. Audiences loved the play’s passionate story, comedic flourishes and action-packed pacing. Cyrano proved Rostand’s greatest success and is still loved the world over.

Cyrano continues to live on through hundreds of productions. The play has generated several film adaptations, most recently including, Roxanne (1987), starring Steve Martin; Cyrano de Bergerac (1990), starring Gérard Depardieu; and The Truth about Cats and Dogs (1996), starring Uma Thurman.

Cyrano de Bergerac follows a young, charismatic poet and swordsman who falls deeply in love with his beautiful cousin Roxane. Despite the young hero’s charm and intelligence, an inordinately large nose afflicts his appearance. He considers himself too ugly to win Roxane’s affections. Cyrano, however, is not the only man in love with Roxane.

Mutual affection arises between Roxane and a handsome nobleman named Christian. Tension mounts when Roxane confides to Cyrano that she is in love with Christian. She asks Cyrano to protect Christian as the two men fight together in war. Cyrano agrees.

When Cyrano relays the news to Christian, the nobleman is distraught. He considers himself a simple, un-poetic man, not fit for Roxane’s affections. Having what Christian lacks, Cyrano devises a plan to help Christian woo her:  Cyrano will write love letters to Roxane under Christian’s name. Cyrano can at last express all his secret longings.

The story peaks as Roxane visits Christian on the battlefield and reveals she loves him -- not for his appearance, but for his beautiful soul. Will Cyrano reveal his feelings to Roxane?  Or will he remain imprisoned by his insecurities?

MasterWorks Theatre Director, Rich Swingle is excited to present this year’s production. With its themes of justice, honor, and fidelity, Swingle says Cyrano de Bergerac was a childhood favorite. “The romance and swashbuckling nature of its sweeping story was captivating to my youthful imagination,” Swingle says. Cyrano reinforces the 2011 MasterWorks theatre program’s theme, “Smashing Idols.” Rich says, “Cyrano was surely an idolater of pride, which kept him from happiness. Even the best of us have idols in our lives. Don’t wait as long as Cyrano to slash them.”

Program notes ©2011 Lindsey A. Frederick

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