The Promethean Theater opened a new, localized adaptation of Edmond Rostand's French classic of 1897, Cyrano de Bergerac - changing the sword-wielding poet/soldier to a modern day Miami-based plastic surgeon - on the weekend of Bastille Day, but the result lacks the sharpness of sword or scalpel.
It's a promising premise: Instead of Rostand's nose-y Cyrano of the 1600s, in Cyrano, an Adaptation, we get a portly physician more interested in the altruistic work of reconstructive surgery than in the more lucrative practice of cosmetic surgery. And the play starts well, with its opening moments set at a medical conference where we're introduced to lots of characters and, as surrogate attendees, are shown vivid, projected photos of patients. And then, as he does in the original, Cyrano gets into a playful duel of words over his defining physical trait, in this case weight over nose, with umbrella rather than sword.
This Cyrano is played by the reliable Ken Clement, who comes close to saving the production, but even he can't manage it. Written by Mark E. Hayes -- a local freelance writer, teacher of literature and ex-host of a radio jazz program -- this version broadly follows Rostand's poetic bounces between playfulness and poignancy. This Roxane is a colleague named Dr. Roxane Rostand. And rather than being sent into a war with Spain, this Cyrano and companions are off to a medical outpost in the mountains of Ecuador, too near the violence of Peru. Edmond Rostand's baker of meats and pastries is transformed into the barkeep at a Miami watering hole called the Ancient Mariner; this is good for a bit of fun, but a little startling when, as in the original, he shows up at the end in the war zone.
Opened:
July 13, 2007
Ended:
July 29, 2007
Country:
USA
State:
Florida
City:
Davie
Company/Producers:
The Promethean Theater (Deborah L. Sherman, producing artistic director)
Theater Type:
Regional
Theater:
Nova Southeastern University - Black Box Theater
Theater Address:
3301 College Avenue
Phone:
786-317-7580
Running Time:
2 hrs, 15 min
Genre:
Comedy-Drama
Director:
Margaret M. Ledford
Review:
Parental:
adult themes, gunshot, violence
Cast:
Ken Clement (Dr. Cyrano Bergerac); Mathew Chapman (Dr. Robert Rosehill); Niki Fridh (Dr. Roxane Rostand); Elda Elisha Brouwer (Dr. Charlotte LeBret); Travis Reiff (Dr. Christopher Newton); Mark Duncan (Administrator "The Douche" Deguiche); Pete Rogan (Ray Racino); Christopher Kauffman (Steve); Michaela Cronan (Resident Veronica); Matt Stabile (Resident Kevin); Johnny Mineo (Resident Sid); Robyn Shapllo, Lauren Butler, Colin Morgan (hotel staff and other roles)
Technical:
Set: Morgan L. Little; Lighting: M. Tate Tenorio; Costumes: Ananda Keator; Sound: Steve Shapiro; Stage Manager: Liz Sherman
Other Critics:
MIAMI HERALD Christine Dolen -SOUTH FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL Jack Zink -/ BROWARD-PALM BEACH NEW TIMES Brandon K. Thorp
Critic:
Julie Calsi
Date Reviewed:
July 2007
