CYRANO A Musical in 2 Acts, 5 Scenes. Book and lyrics by Anthony Burgess. Based on the play Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand, as translated by Anthony Burgess; Music by Michael J. Lewis. Directed by Michael Kidd. Costumes by Desmond Heeley. Settings by John Jensen. Lighting by Gilbert V. Hemsley, Jr. Musical direction by Thomas Pierson. Orchestrations by Philip J. Lang. Sound by Abe Jacob. Incidental music Arranged by Clay Fullum. Dueling scenes staged by Patrick Crean, Erik Fredricksen. Produced by Richard Gregson and APJAC International. Opened 13 May 1973 at the Palace Theatre, New York and closed 23 June 1973 after 49 performances. SYNOPSIS Act I The scene opens with a crowd is gathering in a Parisian street for a new play from Montfleury's production company. Rageuneau and Christian enter looking for the beautiful Roxana who finally arrives with her guardian, Comte de Guiche, nephew of Cardinal Richelieu. It appears that De Guiche is completely smitten with Roxana, but is already wed, so he proposes to marry her to a certain Viscount, Monseigneur de Valvert. This way, he can have access to her whenever he wishes. Rageuneau and Christian exit when they see Roxana and De Guiche looking at them. The play begins with Montfleury's narration, which is interrupted suddenly by Cyrano brandishing a sword. He demands that the play be stopped because it insults his, and everyone else's, intelligence. Cyrano makes such a big scene that Montfleury and his actors finally leave. De Guiche has words with Cyrano and chastises his manners. Cyrano calls him a philistine. It seems that Cyrano strives for a higher understanding and has no time for trivialities. De Guiche presses him further and Cyrano finally asks him what it is he and everyone else is looking at - his enormous nose? He isn't offended by this and has no problem telling them just how big his nose is. De Valvert accuses Cyrano of being a crude and arrogant, and slaps him in the face with his gloves. Cyrano asks if De Valvert would mind if two had a little sword fight. Cyrano also says that he would like to compose a poem while the fight is happening and kill De Valvert on the last line. De Valvert accepts the challenge, Cyrano starts to recite his poem, and a sword fight begins. Finally, when he feels the poem is finished, Cyrano goes in and kills De Valvert. De Valvert's body is carried away and the crowd disperses. Roxana has watched the entire proceedings from her balcony and thanks Cyrano for killing De Valvert. Her guardian, De Guiche, wanted her to marry him; however, she had no desire to do so. She retires to her room. leaving Cyrano and his friend, Le Bret, to talk. Le Bret tells Cyrano that he must be careful with his behaviour because Cardinal Richelieu will eventually get him. Cyrano only wants do whatever he wants - whenever he wants. This doesn't seem unreasonable, does it? He also confesses to Le Bret that he loves his own cousin, Roxana. Le Bret tells him that he should tell Roxana of his love; however, Cyrano thinks this is ridiculous because his appearance is so revolting that Roxana would never love him. His nose is just too big. No woman would ever love him. Roxana's governess, Duenna, enters and delivers a message to Cyrano saying that Roxana needs to see him very much - in private. Cyrano is shocked and happy about this, and with Le Bret's coaching arranges a time and place - tomorrow after morning mass. Duenna leaves and Le Bret tells Cyrano that tomorrow he must tell
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