RIALTO CHATTER: Roundabout Theatre Company to Revive CYRANO DE BERGERAC on Broadway; Previews Begin Sept. 14

According to an Equity casting notice posted today, it seems the Roundabout Theatre Company will be presenting a revival of Cyrano de Bergerac at the American Airlines Theatre this fall.  Previews are listed as begining Sepember 14, 2012 in anticipation of a limited run ending December 9, 2012. Rehearsals will begin August 14, 2012.

An official opening night date has not yet been determined.  No casting or creative team members, including a director, are noted. All roles are being sought.

Equity Principle Auditions will be held June 1 at Ripley Grier Studios. 

The breakdown includes:

CYRANO: (40’s)A guard of the French Army, a natural fighter. Strong-willed. Talented both in battle and in poetry. Heroic. Has a large, long nose, giving an otherwise confident man reason for self-doubt. In love with ROXANE. In old age, starving and poor, but still fiercely dedicated to ROXANE. Strong British accent.

ROXANE: (20’s)Distant cousin of CYRANO and object of his affections, as well as those of CHRISTIAN. Beautiful heiress, unaware of her beauty. Stylish. Intellectual and well-read. Cunning. Has a soft spot for poetry and romance. Strong British accent.

CHRISTIAN: (20’s)New cadet. Red hair. Stunningly handsome, but not blessed with the gift of words. Simple. Strong British accent.

LE BRET: (40’s) CYRANO’s friend and confidant. Soldier and guardsman. Strong British accent.

COMTE DE GUICHE: (40’s)Elegant. Aristocratic-looking. Suitor of ROXANE. Vain and arrogant. Always angry and deceitful. Not fond of CYRANO. Strong British accent.

RAGUENEAU: (40’s) France’s top patissier and owner of a bakery. Friend of CYRANO. Has an intense love for poetry. Becomes ROXANE’s butler when the bakery fails. Married to and betrayed by LISE. Strong British accent.

DUENNA: (40’s) ROXANE’s chaperone. Fiercely loyal to ROXANE. Tasked with keeping ROXANE out of trouble. Think Juliet’s nurse in Romeo and Juliet. Strong British accent.

VALVERT: (20’s) Insolent young nobleman. Potential husband for ROXANE. Defeated in a duel after insulting CYRANO’s nose. Strong British accent.

One actor to play MONTFLEURY/FRIAR (30’s-40’s)
MONTEFLEURY: Fat, untalented actor. Banned from performance by CYRANO. Strong British accent.
FRIAR: Modest. Means well. Not incredibly bright. Strong British accent.

One actor to play CUIGY/MUSKETEER (30’s)
CUIGY: Minor nobleman. Strong British accent.
MUSKETEER: A suitor of LISE. Swordsman. Strong British accent.

One actor to play AMELIE/LISE/MOTHER MARGUERITE (40’s)
AMELIE: Refreshment girl. Easily flattered. Strong British accent.
LISE: Married to RAGUENEAU, but leaves him for the MUSKETEER. Tough to please. Quick to share her opinions. Sharp-tongued. Strong British accent.
MOTHER MARGUERITE: Nun. . Admires CYRANO. Strong British accent.

One actor to play LIGNIERE/CARBON (30’s)
LIGNIERE: Town drunkard. Friend of CHRISTIAN. Not well liked. Strong British accent.
CARBON: Friend of CYRANO. Captain of his company. Strong-willed. Successful leader. Strong British accent.

Edmond Rostand's 1897 play focuses on Hercule Savinien Cyrano de Bergerac, a cadet (nobleman serving as a soldier) in the French Army. In addition to being a noted duelist, he is a gifted poet and musician, plagued with insecurity over his excessively large nose. The play follows his plight of   unrequited love for his cousin Roxane, believing he is unworthy of love due to his physical shortcomings.

The play was last revived on Broadway in 2007 at the Richard Rogers Theatre starring Jennifer Garner and Kevin Kline.  The play, which opened officially on Novermber 1, 2007, ran for 21 preview performances and 56 regular performances before closing on January 6, 2008.

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