Special to The Star
The Meridian Star
MERIDIAN —
A French swordsman with a laughably long nose hardly seems the type of character to bring audiences flocking to the stage and screen. But for decades, the story of Cyrano de Bergerac has been a favorite among theatergoers. The New York-based Aquila Theatre brings its interpretation of the late-19th century play to the MSU Riley Center, 2200 Fifth St., today, Feb. 17, at 6 p.m. Tickets are $27 and $21.
Frenchman Edmond Rostand’s 1897 play is one of literature’s best known romances and is loosely based on an actual person. It tells of long-nosed Cyrano’s secret love for the beautiful Roxanne, which he is too ashamed to reveal because of his appearance. Instead, he pursues her vicariously by coaching Christian, a handsome friend who lacks Cyrano’s way with words. Aquila Theatre’s rendition of his adventure carries the audience through the streets of Paris, into dramatic battlefield scenes, and finally, to a convent’s peaceful cloisters, where this amusing yet emotional tale of unrequited love comes to its heart wrenching end.
This performance is funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.
