Prenzies’ ‘Cyrano’ entertains, educates equally
By David Burke
Quad City Times
Like about 85 percent of the populace, I only know the shorthand version of "Cyrano de Bergerac": Guy with long nose helps friend woo woman who big nose really desires, feeding other guy lines while she's on balcony.
(That and the 1987 Steve Martin movie "Roxanne," which contains a sliver of Edmond Rostand's original storyline.)
So the Prenzie Players' production of "Cyrano," which continues this weekend, was as much education as entertainment and succeeds greatly on both accounts.
Much of the credit goes to Tracy Skaggs in the title role. Skaggs brings a Robert Downey Jr. quality to the part (or maybe that's the "Iron Man 2" onslaught) as a hero who's not entirely likeable, a serious role with a good deal of humor and a character who has boundless energy and yet is extremely articulate.
Roxanne, the object of his affections, is stunningly played by Maggie Woolley in a white sundress (the black-and-white motif plays throughout the costumes and not in a heroes-villains manner), while Christian, who is coached by Cyrano and eventually marries Roxanne, is played by a gallant Adam Overberg in his first Prenzie role.
Excellent performances as well come from Jake Walker, as Cyrano's confidant and fellow soldier; John R. Turner, as jovial pastry cook Ragueneau; and Mike Schulz, also in his Prenzie debut, boldly gripping the role of villain in Compte de Guiche.
The other 11 members of the cast perform yeoman duties with anywhere from two to four roles each and exhausting moves from military march formations to battle scenes.
Director Aaron E. Sullivan and the cast give the smoothest segue yet from the pre-show to the beginning of the script, involving the audience (take it from the guy who had to hold Cyrano's three-plumed hat for five minutes on opening night and unknowingly sat next to a cast member during the pre-show) and taking advantage of the close quarters in the Prenzies' newest home, even setting its props and costumes along the walls for quick changes.
With productions such as "Cyrano," the Prenzies fully stake their claim of bringing 21st-century intensity and fun to classic works