Consistently one of the top-ten grossing shows on Broadway during its limited run, Cyrano recouped in its eighth week at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, producers have announced. The production concluded performances Jan. 6. Cyrano marks the first production of the season to recoup.
With a trio of leads — including Academy and Tony Award winner Kevin Kline, Tony nominee Daniel Sunjata and Golden Globe winner Jennifer Garner — Cyrano broke the record for the highest-grossing performance of a play at the Richard Rodgers during its first week of previews. The production went on to shatter that record over 15 times during its run, ultimately breaking the record for earning the highest gross for a performance of a play or musical at the Rodgers.
Originally scheduled to end its Broadway run Dec. 23, 2007, Cyrano extended an additional two weeks through Jan. 6, in the wake of the Broadway stagehands strike. Edmond Rostand's 1897 verse classic, featuring an adaptation by the late Anthony Burgess, began previews Oct. 12, 2007, and took its opening bow Nov. 1. Cyrano played 55 regular performances and 21 previews when it closed Jan. 6.
Kline starred in the central role of the poetic Cyrano, with Jennifer Garner as the object of his unattainable desire Roxane, and Daniel Sunjata as the handsome cadet Christian de Neuvillette.
The Cyrano cast also featured Euan Morton as Ligniere, Max Baker as Ragueneau, Chris Sarandon as Comte de Guiche, John Douglas Thompson as Le Bret, Concetta Tomei as Roxane's Duenna, Tom Bloom as Montfleury, Peter Jay Fernandez as Carbon de Castel-Jaloux, MacIntyre Dixon as Jodelet and Carman Lacivita as Vicomte de Valvert. Ensemble cast members for Cyrano included Nance Williamson, Piter Marek, Baylen Thomas, Daniel Stewart Sherman, Keith Eric Chappelle, Thomas Schall, Davis Duffield, Alexander Sovronsky, Lucas Papaelias, Fred Rose, Stephen Balantzian, Amefika El-Amin, Ginifer King, Kate Guyton and Leenya Rideout.
Cyrano de Bergerac, according to press notes, concerns "the soulful poet/philosopher and brilliant swordsman Cyrano (Kline), a cadet in the French Army, [who] falls for the beautiful, strong-willed Roxane (Garner), but is too ashamed of his large nose to tell her. Instead, when he learns that she loves the handsome Christian de Neuvillette (Sunjata), his dim-witted comrade, he pens poetry and love letters to Roxane on Christian's behalf. After many years, the truth is revealed. Will love or beauty conquer all?"
The creative team included scenic design by Tom Pye, costume design by Gregory Gale, lighting design by Donald Holder and sound design by David Van Tiegham.
Cyrano's panache will not fade forever: PBS' "Great Performances" filmed several performances of the production during its final week. An air date has yet to be determined, however, it looks likely to air during the 2008-2009 season of "Great Performances," according to a "GP" spokesperson.
