REVIEW: ‘Cyrano’ starring Peter Dinklage
Photo: Peter Dinklage and Josh A. Dawson star in Cyrano, a production from The New Group, currently in a limited Off-Broadway engagement through Dec. 22 at the Daryl Roth Theatre (101 East 15th St.). Photo courtesy of Monique Carboni / Provided by press rep with permission.
Cyrano, the new musical starring Game of Thrones’ Peter Dinklage, is a moving portrait of a man blessed with poetic lyricism, but who is unable to woo the heart of the woman he loves. That failure has nothing to do with his words, which are uniformly romantic, loving and witty. Instead, it has to do with his appearance (in the original Cyrano de Bergerac, a long nose and general lack of attraction prevent the title character from capturing Roxanne’s heart).
This version, produced by The New Group and directed by Erica Schmidt, features music by Aaron Dessner and Bryce Dessner, two members of The National. Lyrics come courtesy of Matt Berninger and Carin Besser, also associated with The National. Christine Jones and Amy Rubin’s scenic design, featuring a black dominating wall chalked over with cursive words, is simple and effective, fitting the show and its grounded feel of love and loss.
The songs in this production, which runs through Dec. 22 at the Daryl Roth Theatre, are lovely additions to the overall narrative, which jumps around from Romeo-and-Juliet-inspired balcony scenes to sequences of intense battle. At the center of the story, amidst this tumult, are three men vying for the heart of Roxanne.
Dinklage’s Cyrano is a military man with a penchant for the gift of gab. He has a way with words and seems to be thinking two steps ahead of everyone else on stage. Ritchie Coster plays De Guiche, a military leader with a fervent love for Roxanne, but he also can be cruel and manipulative. He is clearly marked as the villain in this musical.
The man who becomes the closest to Roxanne is Christian, played by Blake Jenner. He’s handsome and kind, and Cyrano sees an opportunity to plant his words in this vessel and try to vicariously woo Roxanne.
Roxanne, played by Jasmine Cephas Jones, is a strong woman who follows her heart and falls for Christian, but she realizes that the world is falling apart around her. She questions why she is unable to receive the full commitment of Christian (perhaps because Cyrano is feeding him lines), and she doesn’t understand the Bermuda Triangle that she is at the center of thanks to these scheming men.
Each of these actors brings a level of authenticity and rawness to their characters. Dinklage, one of the best actors of his generation, is exquisite as Cyrano. He break the audience’s heart by clearly loving Roxanne with everything in his soul, but he’s incapable of changing her mind and overcoming his self-doubt.
Dinklage succeeds immensely as the title character, his first big project since the wrapping of Game of Thrones. The actor fines such a wondrous balance between empathy and smugness. He is a character filled with resentment and genuine love, and he utilizes his witty skills for the benefit of others, but also sees his life slipping away. He loves Roxanne so much that watching her be happy with Christian may have to be enough satisfaction.
Coster is another highlight of the two-hour musical. He is smarmy, creepy and villainous, almost as if he should twirl the end of a curly mustache. He sees his future betrothal to Roxanne as a matter of premonition and eventuality, and he doesn’t give her much say in the matter.
Jones is powerful as Roxanne, an admittedly difficult part because of the mistaken identity of her lover. The actor is able to not only bring reality to the role, but she’s also the strongest singer in the ensemble, which features Grace McLean, Scott Stangland and Josh A. Dawson.
Jones can bring such beauty to these modern, catchy tunes, which float into the ears of the audience with such ease. The music is hummable and ambient, but it never overpowers the central storyline. In fact, this Cyrano, which was developed at Goodspeed Musicals, feels more like a play with music than a full-out musical.
Cyrano, originally written by Edmond Rostand, is a bonafide theatrical classic, and this fresh adaptation offers pathos and pain in all the right places. It’s a must-see production of the off-Broadway season.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Cyrano, from The New Group, stars Peter Dinklage, Ritchie Coster, Jasmine Cephas Jones and Blake Jenner. Directed by Erica Schmidt. Book by Schmidt. Music by Aaron Dessner and Bryce Dessner. Lyrics by Matt Berninger and Carin Besser. Running time: 2 hours, 10 minutes. Currently playing the Daryl Roth Theatre in New York City. Click here for more information and tickets. Rating: 
