Cyrano: The Musical

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For the 1973 musical adaptation, see Cyrano

Cyrano: The Musical is a musical with an original book and lyrics by Koen van Dijk, English lyrics by Peter Reeves, additional lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and music by Ad van Dijk.

An English translation of a Dutch production, it is based on Edmond Rostand's classic 1897 play of the same name focusing on a love triangle involving the large-nosed poetic Cyrano de Bergerac, his beautiful cousin Roxane, and his classically handsome but inarticulate friend Christian de Neuvillette who, unaware of Cyrano's unrequited passion for Roxane, imposes upon him to provide the romantic words he can use to woo her successfully in mid-17th century Paris. Its style is closer to that of the pop operas Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera than a traditional Broadway book musical.

After 38 previews, the Broadway production, directed by Eddy Habbema, opened on November 21, 1993 at the Neil Simon Theatre, where it ran for 137 performances. The cast included Bill van Dijk as Cyrano, Anne Runolfsson as Roxane, and Paul Anthony Stewart as Christian, with James Barbour and Jeff Gardner in supporting roles.

The production garnered Tony Award nominations for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Costume Design, and Runolfsson won the Drama League Award for her performance.

In addition to the Netherlands and the United States, the musical has been produced in Belgium, Germany, and Japan.