CYRANO DE BERGERAC Opens Tonight at the Long Center

Entering its 31st year, Austin Shakespeare (professional, Actor's Equity) will present one of the first Black actors in the region to play the title role in the romantic adventure, Edmund Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac, translated by Brian Hooker.

The productions runs tonight, November 20 - December 7, 2014, Thursdays-Sundays, with a low-priced preview performance on November 19 at the Long Center's Rollins Studio Theatre, 701 West Riverside Drive, Austin.

Last season's "Othello," Marc Pouhé, will lead a cast of actors new to Austin, as well as company alumni, as part of Austin Shakespeare's residency at the Long Center's Rollins Studio Theatre.

Casting this new Cyrano production, Artistic Director, Ann Ciccolella explains: "When we experienced the charisma and depth of Marc Pouhé's Othello, I knew he could play the magnetic Cyrano de Bergerac!"

New to Austin, Amber Quick will play "Roxanne." Keith Paxton, who has played a number of leading men for Austin Shakespeare, will be her love, "Christian." An Austin Shakespeare favorite, Michael Miller, will star as the ostensible villain "DeGuiche." MIller has also played a number of leading roles including "Iago" and "Mr. Darcy."

Austin Shakespeare Alumni include: Aaron Black as the swashbuckling "Valvert" (Mary Stuart), Robert Stevens as the comic cook "Ragueneau" (As You Like It, Zilker Park), Alison Stebbins as his saucy wife Lise (Othello), Sue Breland as the Duenna (The Winter's Tale), Matthew Jordan as LeBret, the best friend (As You Like It). Resident fight choreographer Kevin Squires will lead the battle as "Captain Carbon."

Other newcomers to Austin Shakespeare include: comedy improviser Judith Schomp as the "Orange Wench;" Shane Vickers as the put-upon poet "Lignière," Chris Hejl as comedian "Jodelet," Phillip Hubler as the classic actor "Montfleury," Ky Cleveland as the Marquis; David Bankston as "Cuigy," Tony Salinas gets into trouble as "The Meddler." The pages are teenagers: Jamie Kichuk and Sam Tumlinson.

On the design side, Ciccolella says, "We have an extremely strong creative team in lights, sets, props and costumes. We have long wanted to work more with Allison Lowery as a wig designer, and she is also mentoring two interns. Austin Shakespeare is thrilled to have skilled Tara Cooper creating the classic nose for our Cyrano!"