French actor and baritone David Serero will star as Cyrano de Bergerac in April in what is being described as the first time an actor born in France will play the role in New York City.
The show, giving this classic a new spin, or at least a new translation, is running April 12 to 22 at the Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16 St. in Manhattan.
Serero, who was born in Paris, last year appeared in New York City in roles such as Shylock (Merchant of Venice), Othello’s title role, Barabas (Jew of Malta), King Lear (Yiddish King Lear by Jacob Gordin), Nabucco, Don Giovanni and more.
“This is a dream come true for me,” said Serero, who also adapted and is directing the play. “I remember when I was a child and was reciting the verses of Cyrano in French at that time in my school.”
The play, written in French by Edmond Rostand, posed a challenge on the page in terms of adaptation even before moving into production.
“After reading most of the translations available, I realized that they were all lacking of the French original style of Rostand,” he said. “It became evident for me to write a new adaption closer to the original.”
The production also will include jazz standards which Serero said is a way of bringing “the French and American cultures together.”
The timing itself is worth nothing: This is the 150th anniversary of Rostand’s birth and the 100th anniversary of his death. Serero will perform in Paris on June 30 as part of the 2018 Rostand anniversary celebration.
In addition to Serero, the cast includes Mary Albert (Roxane), Andrew Erwin (Christian), Cesar Munoz (De Guiche), Gordon Gray (Ragueneau), Michael Vincent Iannuzzi (Le Bret), Isaac Cruz (Ligniere), Lauren Taylor Berkman (Duenna), Cameron Addicott (Valvert), Elena Du Pisanie, Benjamin Culpepper, Shawn Chang.
Cyrano de Bergerac is debuting April 12 at 3 p.m. with the premiere April 15 at 7 p.m. and additional shows April 17 and 19 at 8 p.m. and April 22 at 7 p.m. at the Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16 St., New York NY 10011. Tickets are available at cyranodebergerac.bpt.me or 1-800-838-3006.