Cyrano (The New Group)

See it if You want to see some great performances and hear some beautiful music. Cast is great!

Don't see it if You are looking for a peppy splashy show with big musical numbers.

Also I hate to comment on seating but the chairs and seating used by this theater was deplorable. They are VERY thin with no arm rest and no space between them. Everyone is crammed ontop of each other with no space to move. I luckily was on an aisle but it still felt cramped. For a production that is charging $100+ for tickets they should really think about their audience a little more and invest in better chairs or at least space them out a few inches. Most blackbox theaters have better seating than this.... Read more Read less

See it if Peter dinklage is superb as is Jones. Not as good as past Cyranos that I have seen. Not a big spectacle show with great casting.

Don't see it if If you have seen it on Bway, a much better dh oil w with a better cast. This one gets slow at times.

See it if u want to see a stirring, witty perf by Dinklage (who's no singer!) in an otherwise lackluster & unnecessarily musicalized version of Cyrano

Don't see it if u expect a high-energy, swashbuckling version of Rostand's play or Cyrano's prominent proboscis; u hope to discover a memorable new score.

See it if Classic reimagining in a play with music w/o prosthetic where the facial flaw is substituted for some other subtext:He still is left-swiped.

Don't see it if Uncharacteristically weak showing from the New Group. The lessened musicality diminishes the poetic beauty of the source material.

Also Acting and singing are great, but not at the same time from the same actors.... Read more Read less

See it if creative staging; well-sung songs esp by J Jones/Roxanne; Drinklage's engaging; villain/De Guiche made 3 dimensional

Don't see it if songs pleasant not memorable, dumbed down 4 Drinklage who's not a singer; I've seen funnier versions; ending is maudlin/not moving

Also Spoiler/Not on the nose: In lieu of having Drinklage bear a big proboscis to mark his singularity & reason for self-doubt, the production just allows his dwarf stature 2 serve the same function. And it works!

There are 2 details to note on the staging:

1. In the cafe scene in the 1st act u see food grains streaming thru the hands of the kitchen workers. In the 2nd act, u see seeds streaming thru the hands of the nuns working in the garden. I think these gestures suggest the timeless nature of these basics of life, preparing food & planting crops, in contrast to the evanescent dramas of life presented on stage.

2. Many of the actors either move in slow motion or pause periodically while moving. My speculation is that this choreography is designed 2 give the scenes an old timey, cinematic quality, suggesting that the production we are seeing is an artifice, a type of fable, in contrast to the immutable basics of life described earlier.... Read more Read less

See it if you are a Dinklage fan, love the story and don't expect too much from the direction or production.

Don't see it if you're counting on a nose, great music/lyrics, memorable songs, great direction. Repetitive music uses mostly five notes per boring song.

Also Dinklage is the heart of the play but his singing voice is poor. If casting wanted his acting chops why make him sing, why not just use his best qualities as an actor?The music is less than tuneful and does not use Jones' voice to the best of her ability. The direction of the last scene is done well but the rest is talented high school quality.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see some beautiful singing, great acting, and wonderfully subtle choreography that added beautiful depth to the story.

Don't see it if You expect super interesting songs, or a swashbuckling adventure. Peter Dinklage is not a singer, but he tries and his acting is superb.

See it if you want to be pleasantly surprised. Supporting cast has been underpraised. Songs & music leave a stronger impression in the second half.

Don't see it if expecting a flawless show. Music is drowsy up until end of first half. Cuts many of Rostand’s character-building scenes to its detriment.

Also This show couldn’t have been anything but overhyped, but there are many good moments—particularly after intermission. Much already said about Dinklage and Jones, but Coster, Jenner, McLean and the rest of the cast are also great.... Read more Read less

See it if you're​ a Dinklage fan & want to see him in a musical role. His acting is fine, singing less so, though serviceable. Others very good.

Don't see it if you don't want to see a truncated version of Cyrano with little panache & much of Rostand's poetic language missing. Music hit & miss.

Also There are a few good scenes; the.battle scene, which had the best music, was quite touching.... Read more Read less

See it if If you a fan of Games of Thrones or Peter Dinklage. If you like the story. If you like different approaches and presentation of a classic.

Don't see it if If you are not a fan of the actor nor the story. If you prefer classics presented classically.

See it if you are a Peter Dinklage fan and appreciate the Cyrano story in any form. Some exceptional staging but mostly I was bored.

Don't see it if you want to see a real love story with real, not cardboard, characters.

See it if you want a romantic show led by a talented cast that is unfussy yet beautiful in simplicity; you’re a fan of the play and/or Peter Dinklage.

Don't see it if you want a straight play or straight musical: this combines both, with weak lyrics and homogenous music that's nonetheless gorgeous in tone.

Also Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac has been one of my favorite literary works since I was a preteen and I had never seen the show produced on stage. While this production isn’t fully-faithful to the original, I found it rather charming, beautifully performed in an affecting manner that made me feel quite distraught by the end—even though I knew what was coming. Perhaps the biggest shame is that Grace McLean didn’t have more to do and sing: this is the fourth time I’ve seen her on stage and she is a) a scene-stealer and b) a vocal tempest. It’s likely Peter Dinklage in the starring role is meant to steal the scenes, though (understandably) and while he is not a “real” singer, he does have a rich, deep voice that offers a sense of sadness, regret, and longing at the right places. Jasmine Cephas Jones as Roxanne is stunning—even with trite lyrics, she makes them pop. Blake Jenner in the sometimes throwaway role of Christian is charming, likable, and another fine singer. I'd see it again.... Read more Read less

See it if How the idea of romantic love via poetry and the idea of honor is above all, even though it's not practical. Beautiful singing.

Don't see it if Guns are triggering. Romance / love poetry make you gag. Peter's a great actor, but ok singing.

Also Diversity: Cyrano protagonist is a little person. Black woman Roxanne. Supporting actor is a Black man. The cast also has a Black female and a South Asian man.
Disclaimer: the first production I've watched, so I don't have anything to compare this to.
Ticket from online lottery via TodayTix for $35.... Read more Read less

See it if A different Cyrano,with music and lyrics by members of the National. Cast members act and sing well ,including Dinklage. The highlight is

Don't see it if You prefer the classic version with Cyrano's large proboscis and no music.

Also the glorious voice of Jasmine Cephas Jones. Kudos to the creative team for trying a new approach.... Read more Read less

See it if gorgeous tableau in slow motion with exquisite special effects--and stunning singing---very romantic but slow-paced and no real content.

Don't see it if lovely to see emphasis on the written word and the value of the soul over the superficial although this message seemed lost to audience

See it if You are a fan of The National. You enjoy plays with music more than traditional book-musicals.

Don't see it if You are a Cyrano purist and would not like to see large amounts of cuts in the source material.

Also "Never tell the one you love that you do
Save it for the deathbed." -The National

The quote above is from the song Cardinal Sins off of The National's 2003 album, Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers. So it seems that at least the subject matter of Cyrano has been swimming, consciously or subconicosuly, in Matt Beringer's mind for quite some time.

I'm a fan of The National's music. It's the kind of atmospheric music I enjoy putting on when I'm feeling morose and just want to lean into it a little. Unfortunately the kind of drawn out speech patterns that are infused in their melodies are completely counterproductive when trying to portray the witty genius that is Cyrano. In speech he is quick and agile but in song he, and everyone else, is constrained to the sleepy lull of the score.

There are some memorable tunes, notably the songs at the siege, but they are few and far between.

The production's fatal flaw is that Cyrano, as written, rarely gets to show off his "panache."... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a beautiful musical with a stellar cast. The music is beautiful and Peter Dinklage can really sing!

Don't see it if you do not like depressing shows. The show is absolutely tragic and leaves you feeling sad.

See it if you’re open to see any adaptation of this classic/want to see Dinklage live.

Don't see it if you have high standards for new musicals.

Also Dinklage is an excellent actor, competent singer. The underscoring for the book scenes is quite effective. The music otherwise feels unnecessary.... Read more Read less

See it if you have no ear for music or poetry and have never read or seen a worthy production of this exquisite play about poetry, romance and loss

Don't see it if you love theater and its magic. There is none here. A waste of a great talent in Dinklage who does what he can with nothing and no one

See it if you want to see Peter Dinklage and his great performance.

Don't see it if you want memorable, good music.

See it if you are a fan of star, Peter Dinklage or have an interest in this classic story told in a unique and new way.

Don't see it if you are a purist, have no imagination or dislike departures from established norms.

Also Of course, the news is...Peter Dinklage. Besides being a pop culture icon from Game of Thrones, the man is a consummate actor and hereby gives a rendition of Cyrano of the highest order. Perfectly suited for the role, I would have removed all references to the character's prominent proboscis and let the lead's stature stand on its own. It's the text book case of being judged by appearance and finding the true beauty within. Jasmine Cephas Jones as Roxanne is wonderfully cast with a beautiful singing voice. Blake Jenner (Christian) is the perfect man-candy, with a fine comedic flair. There are many laughs in this production, that off-set the heartfelt moments of the book. The staging by Erica Schmidt (Dinklage's wife) takes advantage of the cast's strength and finds a way to down play weaknesses. This isn't a flawless production, and it may hang on the strength of the star's powerful performance, but it is a fine, innovative take on a classic story of unrequited love.... Read more Read less

See it if You are a Peter Dinklage fan and want to see him live. You love the Cyrano story in any form - I would call this a play w/music.

Don't see it if You want to see the classic done as written. You are not a fan of Dinklage or the play. You want to see a musical with great singing.

Also Roxanne is miscast. I just felt nothing from her (and does she have a good voice??) I believe the show would have provided so much more if Roxanne had any chemistry with any of the characters.... Read more Read less

See it if you’re a fan of Peter Dinklage and/or The National.

Don't see it if you’re a Cyrano purist. Despite being a period show there were some modern mannerisms & colloquialisms. I liked it but it’s not for everyone

Also I'm kind of a Cyrano novice (I only have a basic familiarity with the story, although I've seen the Steve Martin movie Roxanne!) but I am aware they took a lot of liberties with this production.

That being said, I thought this was a lovely production (the set was great) but the show itself was a little uneven—some scenes were funny & some really moving while others just dragged. I think the good outweighed the bad though. The ending was heartbreaking. I really enjoyed watching Peter Dinklage's performance (& I’m not a Game of Thrones fan or anything). He was quite captivating.

I've heard a lot of complaints about the music, which I admit didn't always work, but if you're a fan of the National you know their style is melancholy & brooding. I guess it was an odd choice for a score about a romantic poet, quick with his words, but it was an interesting choice, I'll give them that!... Read more Read less

See it if you like modern musical adaptations of well known plays. Talented cast. Tender moments. Intimate in scope. Dinklage is charismatic.

Don't see it if you know what a great score should sound like. you can't overlook Dinklage's inability to sing on key - duets were especially painful.

See it if If you like the cast and/or adaptations of classics. I adjusted to the music then really enjoyed it. It broke my heart just like it should.

Don't see it if If you’re a snobby expert on Cyrano and can’t deal with any new takes. Not for children. If you don’t do well with tragedies.

Also I very much enjoyed them expanding Roxanne’s role enough so she’s a bit more well rounded. Jasmine played her beautifully.... Read more Read less