Looking for something to do on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night? Come see Cyrano de Bergerac—a classic story about misplaced love and absurd insecurity.
For eight weeks a cast of 21 Seattle Academy students, all in Seattle Academy’s intermediate and advanced acting classes, have been rehearsing this show with director Paul Shapiro. This has not been an easy process since the onstage drama encompasses a wide range of drama, from swords and guns to kisses and crying. Cyrano tells the story of “the lad with a long sword,” Cyrano de Bergerac (played by Coco McNeil ’17)—an avid swordsman, talented (but underappreciated) playwright, and bearer of an incredibly large nose. Cyrano is plagued his whole life by an unrequited love with the beautiful Roxanne (Abbey Spangler ’16), which he never admits since he feels she could never look at him with love in her eyes. When the handsome Christian (Caper Woodson ’17) catches Roxanne’s attention, Cyrano uses Christian to express his own feelings. A mess of letters and a war later, Roxanne finds herself in one the most poetically conflicted positions in literary history.
Come to see the gigantic nose (or the beautiful love story), but stay for the delightful performances of the supporting cast. Deanna Faour ’16 plays a hilariously romantic “poet and pastry cook,” Ragueneau. Wynn O’Donnell ‘17 presents a wonderfully scheming, selfish, and pompous rendition of the villain, Comte de Guiche. Frankie Nuckolls ’17 is an avid maid, Else Ratzliff ’17 is a solemn mother superior, and Savannah Butler ’17 is an eager orange vendor. The list of these terrific performances goes on and on.
Need more convincing? Did I mention the gorgeous costumes that Chris Tschirgi has designed and styled for the production? Don’t think that the head shots in the Arts Center Lobby give anywhere near a full picture of these outfits. Tschirgi has worked tirelessly to preserve the period atmosphere of the script, with gloves, capes, hats, and the like, while incorporating modern fashion sensibilities, such as wig styles seen at the latest runways, gowns and patterned robes from the trendiest boutiques, and much more. Combine the nostalgic set that Ed Hoffman and his team have created with the elegant lighting of Walter Kilmer, and this show becomes a visual stunner.
So, order your ticket and come to the Orvis Theatre by 7:00 PM on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. Watch a timeless masterpiece, full of edge-of-your-seat action and heartbreaking compassion, and be proud knowing the Seattle Academy community created it.