[Photo credit: Pasadena Playhouse]
Opening night is scheduled for Sept. 8 at the Tony Award-winning venue. The production aims to capture timeless passion through spoken word, contemporary poetry, and raw physicality, blending modern poetry with sizzling rhythm to create a captivating experience.
Crimp’s adaptation, described as “breathtakingly exciting” by the Evening Standard, employs spoken word, contemporary poetry, and raw physicality to explore themes of passion and unrequited love. The play centers on the linguistically brilliant Cyrano, who secretly pines for the radiant Roxane.
In this version, Cyrano’s legendary wit manifests through raps and rhymes, showcasing his unparalleled mastery of language. Convinced of his own ugliness, Cyrano uses his verbal prowess to aid the inarticulate Christian in wooing Roxane, setting in motion a poignant and often hilarious love triangle.
The Pasadena Playhouse production follows successful runs in London and New York. Crimp’s adaptation premiered at London’s Playhouse Theatre in November 2019, starring James McAvoy in the title role under Jamie Lloyd’s direction.
In 2022, the production returned to London’s Harold Pinter Theatre before transferring to the Theatre Royal Glasgow. Its American premiere took place at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, garnering critical acclaim and audience enthusiasm.
Pasadena Playhouse, founded in 1917, has staged thousands of original productions since its inception, including premieres of works by renowned playwrights. For decades, its pioneering School for Theater Arts was a training ground for actors and theatermakers who went on to make significant contributions to the entertainment industry.
Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Danny Feldman since 2016, the Playhouse has focused on its founding idea of being a living force in its community, making theater for everyone. The theater’s productions and community programs are centered on this principle.
The production of “Cyrano de Bergerac” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.
For more information, visit https://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/event/cyrano-de-bergerac/.
