‘Cyrano’ production is company’s biggest yet

Tom Titus

If, as often has been said, every serious actor longs to play Hamlet,

then every truly serious actor should have his sights set on an even

more demanding assignment, the title role in “Cyrano de Bergerac.”

Mark Harelik is such an actor, and his presence as the grotesque

hero of Edmond Rostand’s epic drama elevates South Coast Repertory’s

equally epic production stretching nearly to the length of “Gone With

the Wind.” It is the Costa Mesa company’s largest offering to date,

both in scope and stage population -- 33 actors, the most of any SCR

show.

Director Mark Rucker has chosen Anthony Burgess’ translation of

the Rostand play over several others, reportedly because of its

entertainment value. If an audience is to be riveted for some 3 1/2

hours, there must be some comic relief involved, and this production

offers ample opportunity for laughter, particularly in its earlier

moments.

Cyrano, the last character introduced, appears from the rear of

the theater -- about 2 feet from my seat Saturday evening -- with a

thunderous roar as he demands that an inferior French actor quit the

stage or suffer his wrath. Harelik establishes this larger-than-life

figure immediately, notching conquests both with his voice and his

sword, as he has no peer in either area.

But since those who excel in one of life’s facets often fall

perilously short in another, Cyrano definitely has his Achilles heel

-- though the actual part of the anatomy is somewhat farther north.

The warrior’s nose -- in this production a full, thick growth rather

than the pointed, Pinocchio variety -- intimidates Cyrano himself

just as his blade and poetic acumen, linked with a commanding vocal

resonance, set him apart from others in those areas.

Harelik swashbuckles his way through the famous “nose speech” en

route to dispatching a foe with furious physical and intellectual

vigor. Only moments afterward, he turns to jelly in the presence of

his lovely cousin, Roxane (Susannah Schulman), whom he adores but

dares not reveal his feelings, lest he be painfully rejected.

When a young, physically imposing soldier -- for whom Roxane has

confessed a desire and sworn Cyrano to an alliance with him -- joins

the regiment, Cyrano feels honor-bound to assist the strapping but

poetically challenged Christian (Ryan Bittle) in his romantic quest.

This leads to a hilarious balcony scene with Cyrano feeding romantic

overtures -- his own, actually -- to Christian to pass on to Roxane.

Schulman portrays Roxane as a lovely but superficial beauty whose

attraction to Christian could not survive were he not possessed of

Cyrano’s poetic gift. Bittle is splendid as the stalwart but

tongue-tied Christian who eagerly accepts Cyrano’s brand of romantic

ventriloquism.

Gregory Itzen provides a semblance of rivalry for Roxane’s favor

as a regimental captain who woos her ever so delicately. Michael

McShane robustly depicts a master chef whose delectable creations

save the day in battle.

Martha McFarland crosses gender as the (well-disguised)

aforementioned hammy actor and the mother superior of the convent

Roxane retires to in the final scene, while fellow SCR founding

artists Hal Landon Jr., Richard Doyle and Don Took tackle a variety

of peripheral roles. Other cast members, including the excellent

actress Nike Doukas, contribute to the company’s superior ensemble

without establishing individual credentials.

Scenic designer Riccardo Hernandez has created a number of

imposing backdrops for the five acts required for this impressive

achievement. Shigeru Yaji’s elaborate costumes and Chris Parry’s

splendid lighting effects enrich the overall production

considerably. “Cyrano de Bergerac” is a monumental achievement for

South Coast Repertory and, in particular, for Mark Harelik, who

treads flawlessly in this actor’s dream role. It may stretch well

over three hours, but this exciting and invigorating production is

well worth the investment of time and attention.

FINISHING WITH A ‘WILD RIDE’

South Coast Repertory’s Theater for Young Audiences concludes its

inaugural season with a musical production of the popular “Wind in

the Willows,” opening this weekend on the Julianne Argyron Stage. The

commissioned project, written by Richard Hellesen and Michael

Silversher from the story by Kenneth Grahame, features the characters

of Mole, Ratty, Badger and Mr. Toad of Disneyland’s “Wild Ride” fame.

Art Manke is directing.

Performances will be given tonight at 7 p.m., Saturday at 4:30

p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., followed by two weeks of weekday school

performances.

Call SCR at (714) 708-5555 for more information.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews

appear Fridays.