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Cyrano de Bergerac

Translated by Brian Hooker

Directed by Renée Schwarz

Cyrano de Bergerac is a renowned poet and swordsman, known for his sharp wit, bravery, and comically ~large~ nose. Despite his passionate heart and literary talents, Cyrano is plagued by his insecurities about his appearance which prevent him from revealing his love for the beautiful Roxane. At first sight, Roxane falls in love with Christian de Neuvillette, a handsome but inarticulate young soldier. Cyrano, out of pity and a little selfishness, agrees to help Christian win Roxane’s heart by writing love letters to her on his behalf.

This production, though using the original translation by Brian Hooker, will include moments/scenes of modern improvisation by the actors “breaking character”. This will be a new take on an old text where a troupe of actors are putting on the production of “Cyrano de Bergerac” and the moments of script and modern reality overlap and keep the audience guessing (think: The Play that Goes Wrong). As the play progresses, so will the “rehearsals” and the final scene will end in the “performance” in full costume, props, lights, etc.

Though originally set to have 40 roles, this production will be condensed with the Ensemble Tracks playing more than one role, for a total cast of 15-20 actors. All roles are open to any gender, ethnicities, ability and experience level. We are especially interested in actors with strong comedic instincts, including long-form improv, and bold physical and vocal character choices. Some roles will include stage combat (hand to hand and sword) and the roles of Cyrano, Roxane and Christian will have moments of physical intimacy (embracing and kissing). All combat and intimacy moments will be delicately choreographed by the director who has been trained in stage combat and intimacy direction.

Audition Information

Please prepare/bring:

• A resume/headshot
• One classical comedic monologue (2 minutes max)
• Optional: One contemporary comedic monologue (60-90 seconds max)
• Physicality encouraged
• Be prepared to play/improvise and take adjustments

In person auditions are at the Long Beach Shakespeare Company, 4250 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807. Please note that LBSC is not an equity theater.

Audition Options:

In-Person Auditions (Preferred)

In Person Audition Dates: June 24th 6 PM - 9 PM and June 27th 6 PM - 9 PM.

Zoom Auditions (Live) (Gas is expensive. We get it.)

Date: June 25th

Time: 6 - 8 PM

Callbacks

Tentative date of June 28th from 6 PM - 9PM

Dates:

Tech: 8/9-8/13

Performances: 8/14, 8/15, 8/16, 8/21, 8/22, 8/23, 8/28, 8/29

The full rehearsal schedule breakdown will be sent to the cast after receiving actor conflicts after auditions.

Character Breakdown:

Cyrano de Bergerac. (Age 20s-30s)*: A witty and eloquent soldier and poet plagued by their insecurities over their large nose, deeply in love with their cousin Roxane. Requires a confident and articulate performer who can learn a significant number of lines and stage combat and have a strong command of comedic language and choices. Cyrano will potentially wear a prosthetic.

*Role require stage combat and physical embracing with Roxane

Roxane. (Age 20s-30s)*: A beautiful, intelligent and somewhat oblivious woman who falls in love with Christian but is unknowingly wooed by Cyrano through their letters. Requires a performer who can showcase both strong comedic and dramatic skills after she witnesses the death of Christian and Cyrano at the end of the play.

*Role requires stage kissing with the role of Christian and physical embracing with the role of Cyrano

Christian de Neuvillette. (Age 20s-30s)*: A handsome and brave but inarticulate soldier who falls in love with Roxane and is ashamed of his inadequacies as a writer and speaker.

*Role requires stage kissing with the role of Roxane and some stage combat

Compte de Guiche. (18+) A powerful and manipulative nobleman who seeks Roxane’s love and plays a significant role in the war. Cardinal Richelieu's nephew, he wants Roxane as his mistress, and wishes her to marry Valvert. He is practical and very political. Solely for revenge against Christian and Cyrano, he sends the Gascony Guards to almost certain death.

Ragueneau. (18+): Cyrano’s friend, Ragueneau is a pastry chef that is a little oblivious with a deep love for poetry. His wife is having an affair with a musketeer and Cyrano defends him in Scene 2.

Le Bret. (18+): Cyrano’s friend and closest confidant, Le Bret is a fellow soldier and guardsman. He worries that Cyrano’s principles will ruin his career, but Cyrano ignores Le Bret’s concerns.

Carbon de Castel Jaloux. (18+): The commander of the Gascony Guards. Cyrano’s friend and the captain of his company, de Castel-Jaloux is a strong-willed and successful leader.

Track 8 (18+): Vicomte de Valvert*, Cadet, Spanish Officer, Others

Strong stage presence, a bit of a bully, gets into an intense fight with Cyrano in Scene 1.Strong improv skills and comedic timing and ability to make strong character choices.

*Role requires stage combat

Track 9 (18+): Lignière, The Capuchin, Bertrandou, Others

Plays a drunk poet, a clueless priest and a fifer. Strong improv skills and comedic timing and ability to make strong character choices.

Track 10 (18+): First Marquis, Jodelet, Poet, Cook, Cadet, Others

Plays a noble theater patron, an actor, and others. Strong improv skills and comedic timing and ability to make strong character choices.

Track 11 (18+): Second Marquis, The Meddler, Poet, Cook, Cadet, Others

Plays a noble theater patron, an actor, and others. Strong improv skills and comedic timing and ability to make strong character choices.

Track 12 (18+): Third Marquis, Cuigy, Poet, Cook, Cadet, Others

Plays a noble theater patron, a friend of Cyrano’s, and others. Strong improv skills and comedic timing and ability to make strong character choices.

Track 13 (18+): Montefleury, Musician, Sentry, Others

Plays an over-the-top actor that gets in a confrontation with Cyrano in Scene 1, a musician and others. Strong improv skills and comedic timing and ability to make strong character choices.

Track 14 (18+): Bellerose, Poet, Musician, Cadet, Others

Plays the theater manager in Scene 1, a poet, a musician and others. Strong improv skills and comedic timing and ability to make strong character choices.

Track 15 (18+): A Cut-Purse, Pastry Cook, Cadet, Others

Plays a thief in Scene 1, the main cook in Scene 2 and others. Strong improv skills and comedic timing and ability to make strong character choices.

Track 16 (18+): The Porter, A Citizen, A Musketeer, Cadet, Others

Plays the porter and the citizen in Scene 1, a musketeer that has an affair with Lise and others. Strong improv skills and comedic timing and ability to make strong character choices.

Track 17 (18+): An Actress, The Duenna, Mother Marguerite

Plays an actress in Scene 1, Roxane’s chaperone and Mother Marguerite in Scene 5. Strong improv skills and comedic timing and ability to make strong character choices.

Track 18 (18+): The Orange Girl/Flower Girl, Lise, A Page, Sister Marthe/Sister Claire

Plays an orange/flower seller in Scene 1, Ragueneau’s wife, a page, and a nun in Scene 5.Strong improv skills and comedic timing and ability to make strong character choices.