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Entertainment

Playhouse 19 gives 'Cyrano' musical spin

The Frenchman with a big nose opens a season that includes On Golden Pond and Carousel.

By JORGE SANCHEZ
Published September 2, 2005

The story of the Frenchman with a big nose and a gift for poetry kicks off the Playhouse 19 season this weekend.

Cyrano, the Musical is about a soulful philosopher and expert duelist named Cyrano who falls in love with Roxanna. It is a musical adaptation of Edmond Rostand's classic 1897 play Cyrano de Bergerac.

In both the play and the musical, Cyrano (Dennis Love) has problems wooing Roxanna (Kristin Guenther) because he is embarrassed by his huge nose.

He gets around this by using a proxy. He writes love letters that are read by the not-too-bright hunk Christian (Alan Stewart). The ploy works - sort of. Roxanna falls deeply in love with Christian, unaware that the letters that won her heart were written by Cyrano.

Director Jacki Doxey-Hull said she was attracted to the play for two reasons.

"Everyone is familiar with the story, but hey, there's also music here," she said. "And no other theaters in this area have done it."

She praised Love's work in rehearsals.

"He had to learn to move with this prosthetic nose," she said. "Things like drinking a glass of water, touching his face, little things that you'd take for granted, he had to learn over.

"The nose is so well-built that it doesn't interfere with speaking and singing." Which is a good thing, since Cyrano's character has some lengthy and lyrical speeches to deliver during the play.

The play is a revival of a short-lived 1973 Broadway production that starred Christopher Plummer in the title role. There were only 49 performances, but Broadway critics loved Plummer's acting (though they remained lukewarm to the music). He won the 1974 Tony Award for best actor in a musical. In a 1973 New York Times interview, he described the play as a "dear, old-fashioned melodrama."

The music includes songs such as You Have Made Me Love, No Thank You and From Now Until Forever.

Film versions have also featured Steve Martin and Gerard DePardeau in the title role.

Playhouse 19 will offer a season of drama, comedy and music. Here's the lineup for the rest of the season:

- It Was A Dark and Stormy Night, Oct. 20 to Nov. 6. This murder mystery spoof blends frights, laughs and thrills. The characters are holed up in a mysterious mansion as the wind howls and lights flicker. Both excitement and danger begin, culminating in a twisted ending. Imagine The Addams Family meets Arsenic and Old Lace. Directed by Jeri Augustine.

- The Melody Lingers On, Jan. 12 to 29. This musical is taken from materials in the book Irving Berlin: A Daughter's Memoir by Mary Elin Barrett. The play traces Berlin's career from Tin Pan Alley to Broadway and Hollywood. Among the classic tunes are White Christmas, Blue Skies, There's No Business Like Show Business and Easter Parade. Directed by Jacki Doxey-Hull.

- On Golden Pond, Feb. 16 to March 5. Crystal River residents Vangie Rich and Curtis Rich reprise their roles as Ethel and Norman Thayer. This is a touching and perceptive study of a spirited and lovable couple facing their twilight years. Directed by Jim Davis.

- Butterflies Are Free, March 23 to April 9. This comedic drama is about a young bachelor who wants to escape his overprotective mother. He moves into his own apartment and is exhilarated to discover that the pretty young actress next door has proposed friendship and the removal of the connecting door. When actress and mother meet, sparks fly. Directed by Peter Abrams.

- CarouselB>, May 4 to 21. This "power of love" musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein should be the creative and musical highlight of the Playhouse 19 season. Set in a coastal village in Maine near the end of the 19th century, the plot focuses on swaggering carnival barker Billy Bigelow. He romances and marries the naive Julie Jordan, then dies after being coerced into being an accomplice in a robbery. After being sent to heaven, he is allowed to return to earth for one day, albeit 15 years later. Songs include If I Loved You, June Is Bustin' Out All Over and You'll Never Walk Alone. Directed by Danielle Flury.