Review: Cyrano

Poor Cyrano knows noses. Likewise, he knows that while size matters, in noses bigly is not better. The French master swordsman who has a masterful penchant for poetry also has a protruding proboscis that enters the room five minutes before he does—or so he jokes before someone else provides the inevitable punchline.

In Falcon’s Eye Theatre’s impressive production of Cyrano, this recent adaptation by Michael Hollinger and Aaron Posner of the classic tale of Cyrano de Bergerac not only provides a most-welcome dose of humor while changing up the opening scenes, they also do a nose job that trims and reshapes the original. However, the basic storyline stays the same—the swashbuckling hero Cyrano’s unrequited love of Roxane lyrically expressed through a younger, handsomer suitor.

Though not a musical, this memorable production sings throughout—from the gifted cast to the spot-on staging, mingling the talents of seasoned professionals with budding Folsom Lake theater students.

There isn’t a misstep in the casting. The main cast members all bring their A-game in sharp, witty and heartaching performances.

Combined with the ace acting under the steady hand of director David Harris is the theater’s consistently strong production skills. The lighting and sound bring battle scenes alive, and beautiful costumes add color to the simple set of tiered marble steps.

At the play’s end, as with any Cyrano production, you still don’t really believe that the characters of Cyrano would be so patient or that Roxane could be so dense, but the journey is so captivating, you don’t care.