Directed by Penny Metropulos, Edmond Rostand's play, which has been translated and adapted for the stage by Anthony Burgess, will be performed through Nov. 10.
The production marks a reunion for Groener and Metropulos, who worked together in 2011 on The Madness of King George III at Chicago Shakespeare. Groener received the Best Actor Jeff Award for his performance.
Groener's stage work includes Oklahoma!, Cats, Crazy For You, Imaginary Friends and Spamalot. His film credits include "Road to Perdition" and "About Schmidt," and his TV credits include "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "How I Met Your Mother" and "Las Vegas."
The cast includes Julie Jesneck as Roxanne (Rock 'n' Roll, Mary Broome), Nick Dillenburg as Christian (Hater, Hazard), Sean Fortunato as La Bret (The School for Lies, Sunday in the Park with George), Ross Lehman as Ragueneau (Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors), Wendy Robie as Duenna and Mother Marguerite (Private Lives, Richard III), William Dick as the Patron and Capuchin (Henry VIII, Timon of Athens), Richard Baird as Montfleury (The Madness of George III), Brendan Marshall-Rashid as the Marquis (Romeo and Juliet, Richard III), Terrence Mosley as Cuigy, Kevin Cox as the Pickpocket, Aloysius Gigl as the Comte de Guiche, Ryan Bourque as Vicomte de Valvert, Ray Chapman as Ligniere and Michael Doonan as Jodelet.
Erika Haaland plays Rose and Sister Claire, and Sara Griffin plays Lisa, Precieuse and Sister Marte. Aloysius Gigl plays the Comte de Guiche, Ryan Bourque plays Vicomte de Valvert and Ray Chapman plays Ligniere. Michael Doonan plays Jodelets. The cast also includes Tyler Rich, Ryan Hallahan, Elliott Delman, Regina Leslie, Rosa Reinemann, Kenton Gott, Dave Belden and Aaron Latteral.
"Cyrano, a brilliant soldier and intellectual with a rather large nose, believes he is too ugly to be loved," press notes state. "Eloquently expressing his passion for Roxane in poetry through a handsome, young cadet, he courts his love to humorous and near disastrous results."
The creative team includes scenic designer Kevin Depinet, costume designer Susan Mickey, lighting designer Jesse Klug, wig and make-up designer Melissa Veal and composer Rokko Jans.
Tickets and more information can be found by visiting chicagoshakes.com or calling (312) 595-5600.
