Review: CYRANO DE BERGERAC SHINES at Palm Canyon Theatre.

Ordinarily, I review only shows that run for at least two weekends. However, occasionally a production with a shorter run comes along that is so extraordinary that it is literally worth losing sleep to post a review. Palm Canyon Theatre (PCT) has just such a production in Edmond Rostand's CYRANO DE BERGERAC, which runs for just three more performances.

Almost everyone knows the outline of the story: The brilliant Cyrano (Michael Pacas), who is completely bad-tempered, has a freakishly big nose and believes that no woman will love him as a result. He is secretly in love with his beautiful childhood friend, Roxane (Katrina Dixon), who has fallen in love at first sight with the handsome Christian de Neuvillette (Cameron Keys). The inarticulate Christian, himself in love with Roxane, strikes a deal for the eloquent Cyrano to write speeches and letters for Christian to use to woo Roxane. This sounds like the kind of play likely to be a comedy, with a happy ending. However, although it is hilariously funny for about three and a half of the five acts, the ending is tragic.

CYRANO has a massive cast. Frequent theatregoers in the Coachella Valley have undoubtedly seen many of them, but I doubt you will recognize most of the cast members until they speak - The gorgeous costumes (designed by Derik Shopinski) and the fabulous wigs and makeup (the designers are uncredited) make everyone look completely different from their usual appearances. Cyrano's nose, an Olympic-sized ski slope, is a technical marvel, because it allows Mr. Pacas to speak in his regular baritone, without sounding nasal. Ms. Dixon's usual pixie cut has been traded for long, red, curly locks. Between the hair and her beautiful costumes, which actually resemble late Victorian dresses as much as those of the period in which the play takes place, reminded me of Sierra Boggess's costumes as Christine in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. The soldiers and nobles also wear extraordinarily detailed costumes.

Speaking of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, there is more than a passing resemblance between the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical and CYRANO. The title characters are brilliant, creative individuals who are also adept at killing (Cyrano is a swashbuckling swordsman) and who are in love with a beautiful woman who loves a handsome man. In this production, director Dr. William Layne seems to deliberately emphasize the parallels by having a low-hanging chandelier rise towards the ceiling at the beginning of the play.

The set (designed by J.W. Layne) has a complex balcony with a curving staircase, and a fancy, carved door. However, the rest of the stage is quite empty, allowing for different pieces of furniture, such as tables and chairs, to be moved in and out. The empty space also allows plenty of room to engage in sword fights.

Although the technical aspects of the production are fabulous, the crown jewels here are what goes on on the stage. The sword fighting is impressive; I understand that the actors received instruction in stage combat during rehearsals. Even the scene changes provide their own hilarious entertainment - while baroque music plays, a group of dancing and clowning nuns move the scenery. I love the idea of these mini-scenes between the actual scenes. Not only do they provide another element for the audience to enjoy, but they buy time for Ms. Dixon's extensive costume changes.

Saving the best for last, the acting in this production is extraordinary. There are too many performers to go through each individually, and I will limit my comments to the three leads. Mr. Keys plays Christian with energy and warmth. Ms. Dixon, with whom I have appeared in a production, has a great deal of range. She believably takes Roxane from harsh and shallow when Christian cannot speak eloquently to her because he is trying to succeed without Cyrano's help, to courageous and selfless when she smuggles food to the hungry soldiers.

Despite the strength of his castmates, the show stealer is Mr. Pacas. (Disclosure: I have also appeared in productions with him). He makes the most of Rostand's flowery language and convincingly portrays both Cyrano's anger and his selflessness. Mr. Pacas must go from rage to self-sacrifice to devastation within the span of a few scenes. Not only does he pull it off perfectly, but his comedy is terrific - my favorite is the scene where he refuses to get angry at Christian when the latter pokes fun at his nose. On opening night, there was a mishap with a money purse that Cyrano is supposed to pull from his pants. The purse got stuck and Mr. Pacas improvised and hilariously owned the moment until he could resolve the technical problem. He very much deserves the standing ovation he received.

CYRANO DE BERGERAC will run through Sunday, April 3rd, with performances Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. For tickets, call 760-323-5123 or log onto www.palmcanyontheatre.net. The theater is located at 538 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262, between N. Palm Canyon Drive and Indian Canyon Drive, on the north side of E. Alejo Road.

PHOTO CREDIT: Paul Hayashi

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