Park Square Theatre presents the acclaimed regional premiere
of Cyrano, March 14April 6

Joe Chvala makes his Park Square directing debut
and J C Cutler shines as the French swordsman with a large nose

St. Paul, Minn., January 8, 2014 Tender-hearted romance and plenty of action take center stage when Park Square Theatre presents the regional premiere of Cyrano by Edmond Rostand. This acclaimed version is translated by Michael Hollinger and adapted by Michael Hollinger and Aaron Posner. Park Squares production features J C Cutler as the legendary swordsman with the large nose. Joe Chvala, founding Artistic Director of Flying Foot Forum, will be making his Park Square directing debut.

Chvala most recently directed Cutler as the miserly Scrooge in A Christmas Carol at The Guthrie. I wanted J C for this show because he can take on an iconic role and make it really interesting, says Chvala. Hes also a great collaborator. The other points of the love triangle are played by Emily Gunyou Halaas as the beautiful Roxane and Sam Bardwell as Christian. Sam can be funny, charming and sexy all at once important qualities for the somewhat hapless Christian. The character only works as a foil for the brainy and complex Cyrano if he is charmingly stupid, but good hearted.

Known for his signature percussive movement theatricals, Chvala has assembled a cast that can move.

This version features just nine actors, but includes the famous fight with 100 men from the original story, so audiences can expect to see a great deal of theatre magic with the set, lights and quick costume changes, says Chvala. Everyone has to move. The big fight scene involves all the actors even Emily Gunyou Halaas who is playing Roxane and doubling as the masked woman. Were going to drive the action with percussive movement, plenty of sword play, percussion with barrels and dynamic, rhythmic music. Weve been holding fight choreography sessions for the past few months, and I can already tell that this cast will bring plenty of spontaneous moments into the production as we start rehearsing full time.

Ever since the first production of Cyrano de Bergerac in 1897, the story has caught the hearts of audiences of all ages. No matter what you look like, everyone feels as though their appearance has kept them from getting what they want or who they want. We all think, If only someone knew whats inside of me, theyd understand. Cyrano is the antidote to the typical Prince and Princess story.

The cast also includes Shawn Hamilton, Jon Hegge, Craig Johnson, Jason Rojas, Martin Ruben, and Alan Sorenson.

The Cyrano production team includes Robin McIntyre (Scenic Designer), Mary Anna Culligan (Costume Designer), Michael P. Kittel (Lighting Designer), Evan Middlesworth (Sound Designer), Abbee Warmboe (Prop Designer), Annie Enneking (Fight Choreographer) and Justin Spooner (Assistant Director).

Performance Schedule: Previews begin March 14 and run through March 20. Friday, March 21 is Opening Night, and the run continues through April 6. Show times are 7:30 p.m. except for Sunday performances, which begin at 2 p.m. All performances are in the companys intimate 348-seat theater in Saint Pauls historic Hamm Building, 20 W. 7^th Place.

Ticket prices: Previews: $25 and $35. Regular Run: $38 and $58. Discounts are available for seniors, those under age 30, and groups. Tickets are on sale at the Park Square box office, 20 W. Seventh Place, or by phone: 651.291.7005, (12 noon-5 p.m. Monday through Friday), or online at www.parksquaretheatre.org.

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CALENDAR INFORMATION

Cyrano

By Edmond Rostand; translated by Michael Hollinger; and adapted by Michael Hollinger and Aaron Posner

Directed by Joe Chvala

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Previews: Mar. 14 20, 2014

Regular Run: Mar. 21 April 6, 2014

An unabashed romance set in the 1640s, with a swashbuckling hero, a case of hidden identity, and a passionate love story. Flamboyant Cyrano is a skilled swordsman and a gifted poet, yet his unusually large nose prevents him from declaring his love for the beautiful and brainy Roxane, who is enamored of handsome Christian. Will Roxane fall for Christians dashing looks or Cyranos daring poetry? After all, a kisswhat is it? A wordless, whispered lovers vow; a promise made and fulfilled at once

Tickets: Previews: $25/$35; 99-Cent Night: $0.99; Regular Run: $38/$58

PARK SQUARE THEATRE, 20 W. Seventh Place, Saint Paul

Box office: 651-291-7005 or www.parksquaretheatre.org

PARK SQUARE THEATRE. 20 W. 7th Place, Saint Paul. Box office: 651.291.7005. www.parksquaretheatre.org

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