Park Square Theatre presents the regional premiere of Cyrano
Jan 10, 2014

Tender-hearted romance and plenty of action take center stage when Park Square Theatre presents the regional premiere of Cyrano by Edmond Rostand. This acclaimed version is translated by Michael Hollinger and adapted by Michael Hollinger and Aaron Posner. Park Square's production features J C Cutler as the legendary swordsman with the large nose. Joe Chvala, founding Artistic Director of Flying Foot Forum, will be making his Park Square directing debut.

Chvala most recently directed Cutler as the miserly Scrooge in A Christmas Carol at The Guthrie. "I wanted J C for this show because he can take on an iconic role and make it really interesting," says Chvala. "He's also a great collaborator." The other points of the love triangle are played by Emily Gunyou Halaas as the beautiful Roxane and Sam Bardwell as Christian. "Sam can be funny, charming and sexy all at once -important qualities for the somewhat hapless Christian. The character only works as a foil for the brainy and complex Cyrano if he is charmingly stupid, but good hearted."

Known for his signature percussive movement theatricals, Chvala has assembled a cast that can move.

"This version features just nine actors, but includes the famous 'fight with 100 men' from the original story, so audiences can expect to see a great deal of theatre magic with the set, lights and quick costume changes," says Chvala. "Everyone has to move. The big fight scene involves all the actors - even Emily Gunyou Halaas who is playing Roxane and doubling as the masked woman. We're going to drive the action with percussive movement, plenty of sword play, percussion with barrels and dynamic, rhythmic music. We've been holding fight choreography sessions for the past few months, and I can already tell that this cast will bring plenty of spontaneous moments into the production as we start rehearsing full time."

"Ever since the first production of Cyrano de Bergerac in 1897, the story has caught the hearts of audiences of all ages. No matter what you look like, everyone feels as though their appearance has kept them from getting what they want or who they want. We all think, 'If only someone knew what's inside of me, they'd understand.' Cyrano is the antidote to the typical 'Prince and Princess' story."

The cast also includes Shawn Hamilton, Jon Hegge, Craig Johnson, Jason Rojas, Martin Ruben, and Alan Sorenson.

The Cyrano production team includes Robin McIntyre (Scenic Designer), Mary Anna Culligan (Costume Designer), Michael P. Kittel (Lighting Designer), Evan Middlesworth (Sound Designer), Abbee Warmboe (Prop Designer), Annie Enneking (Fight Choreographer) and Justin Spooner (Assistant Director).

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