The Play's the Thing

The timeless and heartrending love story “Cyrano de Bergerac” is appearing on the Pasadena Playhouse mainstage for a month-long run, Sept. 4-Sept. 29. Freely adapted by Martin Crimp, poetry and passion collide in the scorching love triangle with 21 ^st century updates including contemporary costumes of t-shirts and jeans, and a rapping dialogue. The show is directed by Mike Donahue, who made his Playhouse directorial debut with the 2019 production of “Little Shop of Horrors.”

Nigerian-British actor Chukwudi Iwuji stars as Cyrano, widely known for his roles as lead villain ‘The High Evolutionary’ in James Gunn’s international blockbuster “Guardians of the Galaxy” and in the HBO Max streaming series “Peacemaker.” The cast also includes Rosa Salazar as Roxane, Will Hochman as Christian, and Kimberly Scott as Madame Ragueneau.

Inspired by the real life of Savinien de Cyrano de Bergerac, a French novelist, playwright, and duelist, the Playhouse’s version sticks close to original playwright Edmond Rostand’s fictionalized work as the play follows Cyrano, the large-nosed, insecure protagonist, as he finds himself in love with his cousin Roxane, who is love with a handsome yet uncharismatic Christian—aka Cyrano’s new best friend.

Of course, chaos and heartbreak ensue as Cyrano, believing he is not attractive enough to woo Roxane himself, reveals his true feelings to Roxane through poetic love letters under the pretense they are from Christian, who lacks Cyrano’s wit but also hopes to win Roxane’s love. Like Shakespeare wrote, “The course of true love never did run smooth."

For tickets visit pasadenaplayhouse.org .