The movie musical Cyrano, starring Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage, is now on the silver screen. But did you know the show has its roots in Broadway? Here’s everything you need to know about the musical and how it became a movie.
Cyrano history
The initial story was developed by French poet and dramatist Edmond Rostand in 1897. The play follows a fictionalized account of the life of Savinien Cyrano de Bergerac, a French satirist and dramatist from the 1600s. While a member of the French guard, Cyrano was known for his political satire and science-fantasy works.
In the play, Edmond Rostand describes Cyrano as a talented duelist and beautiful poet but has “a large nose” that Cyrano believes deems him “ugly.” Because of this, he’s nervous to express his love to the beautiful Roxanne. When Roxanne falls in love with a cadet named Christian, Cyrano begins to help Christian win her affections by writing romantic letters disguised as the cadet.
Cyrano on stage
In 1973, a musical based on the play was created with book and lyrics by Anthony Burgess and music by Michael J. Lewis. The show first previewed at the Boston Colonial Theatre and then went to Broadway for 49 performances.
A Dutch production, titled Cyrano: The Musical, made its way to Broadway in 1993. The style of the show was similar to that of Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera where most of the musical was sung throughout with limited speaking lines.
Cyrano on the screen
There have been quite a few film adaptations of the original play. José Ferrer won an Oscar for his portrayal of the title character in the 1950 film Cyrano de Bergerac. In 1991, French star Gérard Depardieu appeared in a French version. The film was nominated for a bunch of Academy Awards (it won Best Costume Design).
On top of the more straightforward adaptations, there have also been a slew of movies where the basic theme of Cyrano is portrayed. In 1987, Steve Martin played CD in Roxanne, a modern age retelling of the classic story. The film also starred Daryl Hannah, Shelley Duvall, and Fred Willard. Other movies that have used the play’s basic concept include The Ugly Truth, Sierra Burgess is a Loser, and The Half of It.
Cyrano the 2019 musical
In 2019, Erica Schmidt, writer, director, actress, and spouse of Peter Dinklage, created a new version of the musical for Off-Broadway. The musical’s website described the show as “a raw and transporting new version of the classic tale of unrequited love and ghostwritten letters. Cyrano tells the story of a proud man who, believing himself unlovable, agrees to woo the woman he loves for another.” In this production, there is emphasis on Cyrano’s height versus his nose.
The show added contemporary language to the original script and new music by the Grammy-Award-winning band The National. When the show had previews at the Terris Theatre in Connecticut in 2018, Peter Dinklage played the title role of Cyrano, Haley Bennett was cast Roxanne, and Glee star Blake Jenner slipped into the part of Christian. Hamilton actress Jasmine Cephas Jones took over the role of Roxanne when the show went to New York. Cyrano ran from October to December 2019 at the Daryl Roth Theatre.
Cyrano 2022 movie adaptation
In the newest film musical adaptation, Cyrano follows the story from the 2018 Off-Broadway production. Erica Schmidt wrote the screenplay and Joe Wright directed the movie. Peter Dinklage and Haley Bennett reprise their roles as Cyrano and Roxanne while Kelvin Harrison Jr. joins the cast as Christian. The cast includes Ben Mendelsohn as Cyrano’s nemesis De Guiche and Bashir Salahuddin as Cyrano’s friend Le Bret.
The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on September 2, 2021. It received favorable reviews with 2 Golden Globe nominations at the 79th Golden Globe Awards.
Movie fans react to the Cyrano movie
Movie fans share their thoughts on the film.
Cyrano was a really lovely film 🥺
— Kate Farrell 🎙 (@KateFarrellVA) February 23, 2022
Just saw Cyrano @cineworld a beautiful film have been wanting to see since I saw the trailer loved most of it apart from the ending but I guess it had to end that way
— Sheelagh Regan (@ReganSheelagh) February 23, 2022
I really enjoyed both my films tday! And I stayed awake!👍🏼 but #Cyrano had me blubbering in the end😭😭😭Amazing actor that #peterdinklage ❤️❤️❤️ love him to bloody pieces xx #tyrionlannister Bloody brilliant!
— Marie McGee (@mariebenben) February 23, 2022
God I really hope Cyrano gets at least a bit of buzz this weekend. Such a swooning romantic film should be capturing hearts but the marketing and distribution have not helped it at all 🙁 pic.twitter.com/JRyB6DPbWj
— Reel and Roll Films – Ruth Negga FYC SAG & BAFTA (@reelandroll) February 23, 2022
Fan of musicals? Fan of romance movies? Watch Cyrano in theaters today!
