'Dinner and A Show' - Cuba Libre and Arden's CYRANO

"You're gonna love the arts in Philadelphia" is a the catch phrase of some pretty famous celebrity actors in a Philly based TV ad. You're also gonna love the paring of some great Philly area eateries before or after a great theater experience. That's what our "Dinner & A Show" article series is all about.

And we begin in Old City.

The Old City section of Philadelphia lies just a few minuets from the Ben Franklin Bridge. This area is home to the Betsy Ross House, Independence Hall and Elfreth’s Alley. Bordered by Vine Street and Walnut Street is Second Street where quaint art galleries and vintage brown brick buildings meet pubs, professional theater companies and some choice restaurants in this culturally rich section of Philly.

On the menu for the evening was a performance of Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano at the Arden Theatre preceeded by a meal at Cuba Libre to set the mood.

Located just two blocks down from the Arden Theater Company, Cuba Libre is more like an open villa in Havana than an inner city east coast American eatery. Tall breezy palm trees soaring into a second level loft of cane and wood tables. Lively Latino music surrounds this bustling bright bistro- style restaurant. 

The buzz about the Arden's latest production was a main topic among some of the staff. With opening night taking place the previous evening, the word was out about CYRANO. 

Our waitress was happy to tell us everything about our meal, the sumptuous Chef’s Sampler called “15 Tastes of Cuba”. Nationally renowned chef and restaurateur Guillermo Pernot's dishes are full of color, aroma, flavor and style.  

From several appetizers that start with the freshest, lightest plantain and malanga chips with a host of dips, to three more mini servings from includung their famous “Papas Relienas (Cuban potato croquettes filled with beef picadillo).

The main course consists of three samples consisting of grilled skirt steak, pan seared jumbo shrimp and fresh Mahi-Mahi all specially prepared with a Cuban flare. Mini desserts consisted of a traditional Cuban flan, Tres Leches de Caramelo. 

Cuba Libre is a great choice for before or after a fine evening of theater in Philly's Old City where you are bound to meet a few local theater celebrities at their famous Rum bar enjoying a beverage.

With locations at 10 S.Second St. in Philadelphia as well as Atlantic City and Washington DC, you can enjoy authentic Cuban cuisine in any of these east cost locations. Visit www.cubalibre.com for more information.

 Photo Credits: Cubalibre.com 

 
Arden Theater’s CYRANO    

The Arden Theater has taken Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano to a new version translated by Michael Hollinger, co-adapted with director Aaron Posner. Rostand’s French romantic War Horse is an immortal work of high art re-imagined for an American audience.

Hollinger jokes; “My goal was to release the energies of the play and make it feel immediate and accessible to a contemporary American audience.”  Both Hollinger and co-adaptor/director Aaron Posner have long histories with Arden Theatre Company.  It does, though, establish this romantic tale of a 17th-century French cavalier poet with a soul as big as his outsize nose. Cyrano still pushes emotional buttons just as effectively today as it did when it was written  over 100 years ago.

Pompously wearing the plumed hat is Eric Hissom as the heroic Cyrano, reprising the role he played at Washington D.C.’s Folger Theatre last spring. Hissom presents the play’s flowery dialogue without making audiences feel they’ve been drenched in perfume. His flamboyant wit seems to be the result of being too ugly for love and too independent to fit into the social alliance that surrounds him. This rebellious sadness sets Cyrano apart even more than usual from the soldiers of his Gascon regiment and the politicians of Paris.

At the root of this attitude is his belief that he could never win the love of his adored cousin, Roxane (Jessica Cummings), whom he notoriously courts in the name of his good-looking but tongue-tied young friend, Christian (Luigi Sottile).

Posner’s direction is exciting, fluid and quite athletic in its presentation. Keeping the audience pleasantly entertained is an ensemble cast of actors who bring a rollicking theatricality to this epic story. 

Playing bakers, soldiers, nuns and more are Philadelphia favorites Scott Greer, David Bardeen, Doug Hara, Justin Jain, Benjamin Lloyd and Keith Randolph Smith. 

Will Roxane fall for Christian’s dashing looks or Cyrano’s daring poetry in this passionate romance full of wordplay and swordplay that’s been an inspiration to writers and lovers for centuries? Of course we all know the answer…or do we?  Come to the Arden to find out.

Cryano, plays at the F. Otto Haas Stage Dates: MARCH 8 -APRIL 15, 2012 at the Arden Theatre Company,40 N. 2nd Street, Old City, Philadelphia

For tickets and information: call 215.922.1122 or Online:www.ardentheatre.org

Photos:#1 Eric Hissom as Cyrano -#2 Eric Hissom & Luigi Sottile as Cyrano and Christian 

Photo Credits: Arden Theater Co.