Based on Edmond Rostand's immortal story of chivalry and wit, bravery, love and timeless romance, the classic drama “Cyrano de Bergerac” opens at Heartwood Theater July 23, in the Poe Theater at Lincoln Academy. 

Set in Louis XIII's reign, it’s the moving and exciting drama of one of the finest swordsmen in France, a gallant soldier, brilliant wit, tragic poet-lover — with the face of a clown.  Rostand's extraordinary lyric powers gave birth to a universal hero, “Cyrano de Bergerac,” and ensured his own reputation as author of one of the best-loved plays in the literature of the stage. 

Heartwood is producing the translation by American poet, Brian Hooker, nearly as famous as the original play, itself, generally considered to be among the finest verse translations every written.

A growing network of serious actors is finding Midcoast Maine the perfect place to work and live for a few weeks each summer. Actors Stephen Shore (returning for a second summer show with Heartwood) and Lukas Raphael expressed their appreciation: "The beauty of embarking on a production at Heartwood is their distinctive rehearsal process: it begins with the technical aspect. For the actor to be working and exploring in a world built before they arrive is a uniquely liberating experience that naturally creates a strong ensemble. It's this collaboration of dreamers and storytellers who focus on the process, rather than the result, that constructs a theatrical experience worth doing and worth watching."

The production concept begins with Heartwood’s TD, Tish Munson, designing and building the set and creating and hanging the light plot. The conceptual thread continues in the costuming, and Joan Mather is lending her talent to Heartwood in this capacity for the first time.  Mather received her MFA in Costume Design at California State University, Fullerton; and has designed/constructed costumes for theater, ballet and opera companies across the country.

Certainly, Cyrano would not be complete without swordplay.  Returning to lead this charge is choreographer and instructor, Mark Bedell, who previously fight choreographed “Romeo and Juliet” and “Macbeth” for Heartwood.

Rounding out the production team is professional makeup artist, Katie Machaiek. Growing up in Owls Head, Machaiek became interested in makeup while studying filmmaking at Emerson College, further developing her skills in Los Angeles, California, at Cinema Makeup School. Machaiek will arrive early each night, to build Cyrano’s nose.

The wonderful black box nature of the Poe Theater envelops an audience and begs the “willing suspension of disbelief.” Eight performances will run between July 23 and August; times and ticket prices vary. For full details, visit www.heartwoodtheater.org, email info@heartwoodtheater.org or phone 207-563-1373. Sellouts are common in this 150 seat space; reservations very strongly recommended.