(WOODBRIDGE, NJ) -- Sword fighting, unrequited love, and poetic swashbucklers will bring the classic story of Cyrano de Bergerac to life this August in Woodbridge. Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center, a local community theatre company, will present Cyrano!, a world-premiere adaptation of Edmond Rostand’s classic comedy, at Woodbridge Middle School.
In this reimagining, Cyrano and Christian-- now Christine-- are women, and Roxane is a man named Reynaud. Cyrano uses her wit and words to disarm her enemies, particularly those who make fun of her size. However, when Christine confesses her love for Reynaud, Cyrano writes the dim-witted Christine poems with which to woo the man both love. Comical complications ensue, as Reynaud wonders who his admirer is, and a battle brews under the auspices of Cardinal Richelieu’s meddling niece Madame De Guiche. This adaptation of the 1897 play was done by Dragonfly artistic director Catherine LaMoreaux. LaMoreaux also penned Dragonfly’s Indian folktale comedy, Tenali Raman, and a children’s play that was performed at Metuchen’s Forum Theater.
The diverse cast, one of Dragonfly’s largest ever, includes Mecca McDonald of Roselle as Cyrano, Amanda Solange Padilla of Fords as Christine, Nathaniel Tomb of Plainfield as Reynaud, Tyechia Smith as De Guiche, Craig Mayer as Ragueneau, and Brianna Messina as his wife. Samantha Ayers of Fords and Tess Powell of Port Reading as play multiple children’s roles. The talented ensemble actors who play many parts include Whitney Bailey, Justine D’Souza, Akash Jilla, Tania Joseph, Sayon T. Lembrick, Samantha Mishinski, and Susan Roberts.
The show is directed by Catherine LaMoreaux, assistant-directed by Shauni Ramai and Anna Paone, and fight-directed by Patrick Brockway.
Cyrano! runs August 10 (8:00pm), August 11 (8:00pm), August 12 (8:00pm), and August 13 (3:00pm) at Woodbridge Middle School, 525 Barron Ave., Woodbridge, NJ. Visit dragonflyartsnj.com or call (908) 930-8200 for tickets and more information. Tickets are available online, via mail-order form, or at the door. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. They are available online or by calling (908) 930-8200, or at the door.
PHOTOS: (TOP) Cyrano Cast: Whitney Bailey, Mecca McDonald, Justine D'Souza, Nathaniel Tome,Matt Holbert, Tyechia Smith. Photo by Catherine LaMoreaux. (BOTTOM) Mecca McDonald and Nathaniel
