Susan Granger’s review of “Cyrano” (Off-Broadway at Daryl Roth Theater)
Writer/director Erica Schmidt wisely deleted most references to the title character’s huge nose in this new version of Edmond Rostand’s 19th century verse-drama because Peter Dinklage places a different focus on the plight of a lonely French Army officer who believes that his physical appearance means that no woman could ever really love him.
Schmidt, who is married to Dinklage, has devised a hilarious entrance for Cyrano, as he interrupts a theatrical performance by a celebrated thespian (Scott Stangland). Drawing his sword and challenging anyone to defend the hammy actor, he empties his wallet to provide refunds for the entire audience.
Witnessing this is beautiful Roxanne (Jasmine Cephas Jones), accompanied by her arrogant suitor, the Duke de Guiche (Ritchie Coster), and vigilant chaperone Marie (Grace McLean). Countering the Duke’s mockery, Cyrano acknowledges, “I am proof that God has a sick sense of humor.”
Cyrano has adored Roxanne since they were children, so when she requests to meet with him, he hopes it might be an opportunity for him to express his feelings. To his dismay, Roxanne tells Cyrano that she’s smitten with Christian (Blake Jenner), a callow cadet in Cyrano’s company, although they’ve never spoken to one another.
For his part, Christian knows he’s too inarticulate to express how he reciprocates her affection. So he recruits Cyrano to write love letters to Roxanne in his name and then to ‘coach’ him in the play’s most memorable balcony scene.
“I will make you eloquent,” Cyrano promises, “And you will make me handsome.”
There’s melancholy music by the Grammy-winning alternative rock band The National, but the score by Aaron Dessner & Bryce Dessner isn’t memorable, and the lyrics by frontman Matt Berninger & Carin Besser tend to be dull and repetitious. There’s not much improvement since it was previously staged in a workshop production at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Connecticut.
Nevertheless, Peter Dinklage’s rich, natural baritone is a revelation. To see this Emmy-winning actor, who played Tyrion Lannister on HBO’s “Game of Thrones” for eight years, is the only reason to trek to the Daryl Roth Theater at Manhattan’s Pershing Square Signature Center. The show runs 100 minutes without an intermission.
“Cyrano” plays there through December 22nd.