Cyrano (The New Group)

See it if you want to see a new take on a classic. Dinklage's singing is like Rex Harrison's. The staging is very good, overall glad I went.

Don't see it if you want a full scale musical or are not a fan of the original story

See it if You value great acting, are a fan of Peter Dinklage, or enjoy a clever take on a classic story presented in a humorous yet moving way.

Don't see it if You want elaborate sets, or a lead with a powerful and highly trained singing voice, or extremely memorable songs with strong lyrics.

See it if want to see an interesting take on Cyrano--and while it has music, it really isn't a musical in the usual sense. Cast is excellent

Don't see it if You want a big budget, broadway-style musical. It's not that in any way.

See it if Interesting play about how we deal with real or perceived flaws.Cyrano was so tragic....his misperception robbed him of joy and true love.

Don't see it if See it for the multilayered performance of Peter Dinklage ,and the extraordinary voice and stage presence of Jasmine Cephas Jones.

See it if If you want to see a show with great acting and creative staging.

Don't see it if You want memorable songs in a special musical.

See it if You want to hear a beautiful score by The National. Jasmine Cephas Jones is stunningly gorgeous & her voice is beautiful. Enjoy New Group.

Don't see it if You want a great adaptation. The staging was the = of walking through really thick mud. Would rather have heard Matt Berninger sing Cyrano.

See it if Fabulous acting by all-peter Dinklage is perfection- the whole company filling multiple roles are terrific. Music Enhances the storytelling

Don't see it if Don’t go for the vocal performances, or the actual lyrics, focus on the emotion of the music. Found the second act to be stronger

See it if you want to see a solid cast play off each other well. Peter Dinklage is captivating. The story itself feels dated, but overall enjoyable.

Don't see it if you need to come out of a musical with a song stuck in your head. I couldn't tell you how any of the songs went, even right after I left.

See it if You want to see Dinklage in person. He's fantastic.

Don't see it if The music is truly lacking in dynamics and emotion. It's just a series of dull soliloquies sent to tepid tunes.

See it if you're a Dinklage fan, you want a new twist on a classic, you like minimalist musicals

Don't see it if you are a traditionalist

See it if You want to see any of the cast live, regardless of material, if you like the band The National

Don't see it if You want poetry, or cohesion, or a leading man who can sing

Also Clearly a ton of money has been spent securing a top notch creative team to try and pull this sucker off, but for me, it just never happened. There was confetti and flour throwing and snow and falling leaves and sand choreography...you won't be bored.

Jasmine Cephas Jones as Roxane was wearing the most bizarre array of costumes, and at one point came out in a pink wig, I think solely for a line Cyrano delivers about her light hair. Why this moment needed to be literal, when there's nary a prosthetic nose in sight, I do not know.

Blake Jenner is the exact Ken doll with a lovely voice you need. I wasn't sure if Ritchie Coster was doing a "I'm a villain, therefore I have a British accent" affectation, but it turns out he really is English.

And Mr. Dinklage is charming and charismatic when he's not singing. I think my true disappointment is that I would watch this cast do the original text with pleasure, but the music and the choreography added no new insight or depth for me.... Read more Read less

See it if You really enjoy any of the wonderful actors in it, as they all do their best with the material; you prefer a show with only slow songs.

Don't see it if You prefer musicals that breathe new life into the source material, are bored easily, or expect the entire cast to sing well.

Also (Note: I saw this show in previews; it’s possible they’ll make improvements.)
Bottom line: The entire cast is wonderful and does what they can with the book and score they’re working with. Blake Jenner is especially great. However, despite his acerbic wit and great acting chops, Dinklage’s voice isn’t strong enough to carry half the songs of the show. Additionally, all the songs in the show are basically the same dreary, slow tempo, with equally lame lyrics. The only exception is the wonderful number when they’re off to war. The show doesn’t breathe any new life into Cyrano, and has a ridiculously abrupt ending to boot. I really wanted to love this show, but couldn’t.... Read more Read less

See it if You're a Dinklage fan - kudos to him for being game to do a musical and fun to see him in something light. Jasmine CJ is delightful.

Don't see it if you're expecting a big musical. Minimal set works, as do great costumes and fabulous voices (except Peter's, but it works nonetheless).

See it if wish to see Peter Dinklage in a musical adaptation.

Don't see it if you need musicals to have great songs or have little use for seeing Dinklage.

Also The fact this was a musical actually seemed to work against the production. The underscoring music was outstanding yet the songs became moments when you checked your watched or thought about where you were going to eat after the show.
Peter D. was fun though and he has great stage presence. Not terrible but after MAC BETH I expected more from Erica Schmidt... Read more Read less

See it if you're a fan of Peter Dinklage. He's great in this new twist to the Cyrano story. Not sure this is needed to be a musical.

Don't see it if you're expecting something extravagant. The staging is awkward and the songs are unnecessary when your leading man is not known for singing

See it if You are interested in seeing an amazing “chamber” style musical of the classic. If you want to see interesting staging. Great singing mostly

Don't see it if You don’t like musicals. If you don’t like smaller productions. If you don’t want to be moved by the end.

See it if You love Peter Dinklage, and want to see his excellent performance along with a great cast including Jasmine Cephas Jones and Ritchie Coster

Don't see it if You don't like plays with music (this is sort of a musical but not really) or enjoy bigger, more lavish productions.

Also Okay, so Dinklage's voice is not the greatest--but I enjoyed his pleasant bass voice, and really enjoyed the Hamilton-style rap in Act I. The staging and choreography are great, the cast, including Jasmine Cephas Jones (Hamilton) and Ritchie Coster (marvelous in the tv show "Happy") were all great, and the story was engaging and fun.... Read more Read less

See it if You are a fan of Peter Dinklage, and The National's music

Don't see it if You are looking for a traditional Broadway musical, or are tired of the Cyrano tale.

Also I really enjoyed the music and the singing of many of the actors (and I didn't mind Dinklage's voice). I found it absorbing, so not sure why so many others found it slow.... Read more Read less

See it if you can get a ticket.

Don't see it if you don't want sheer, ravishing stage magic, rather than a literal translation that's word-for-word Rostand.

Also I had high expectations after seeing the cast & creative team discuss the play at the Guggenheim 2 weeks ago. My expectations were surpassed in every possible way. I can only compare the delicate, gossamer magic of this production, built on a solid steel foundation of brilliant direction, staging, choreography, writing, acting, lighting & music, to Cocteau's "Beauty & the Beast." It was breathtaking. Erica Schmidt's love of & respect for the play translate into one of the most exquisite evenings of theater I have ever experienced. This one will stand out in memory as one of the highlights of a lifetime of theatergoing. My companion (a self-described Rostand freak, who has seen every possible version of Cyrano) & I kept glancing at one another in awe - "Can you believe it's really THIS good?" We felt so fortunate to be at this gorgeously poetic, deeply re-imagined rendition of Rostand. Beautiful, powerful, melancholy, thrilling, visually stunning - this is theater at its very finest... Read more Read less

See it if You love Peter Dinklage and you absolutely have to see him on stage

Don't see it if Forgettable numbers, confusing direction, neither acting nor stage was great

See it if You love Peter Dinklage and Jasmine Cephas Jones who delivers some beautiful vocals.

Don't see it if You expect a compelling plot. Peter's singing leaves something to be desired but his acting is good, considering what he has to work with

See it if you like Peter Dinklage, who is the always worth seeing; you like the Nationals. The supporting cast was mostly very good with nice voices.

Don't see it if you want more chemistry between the leads and you think the lyrics of the songs should be more interesting, considering the plot.

See it if you'd like a new take on the old charming story with great sets and wonderful acting.

Don't see it if You're looking for a high-tech show. This is simple, basic and clever.

See it if you want to see Peter Dinklage and Jasmine Cephas Jones in a classic story that’s not so classic.

Don't see it if You are not into a musical version of a classic.

See it if You love the original play so much that you're willing to see it in any guise, or if you've never seen any Cyrano.

Don't see it if You are such a big fan of the world's greatest play that you'll feel deprived by all the missing scenes.

Also The music was forgettable for the most part, but some of the duets were stirring, as were the soldiers' stories.... Read more Read less