Those of you who have followed Kevin Kline's career know he's done an extensive amount of stage work. You might not have been able to fly to New York and see him in a play or musical, so what a treat for PBS to broadcast a taped performance of his turn at Cyrano de Bergerac! I've seen five versions of the classic story, and while this one isn't my favorite, I was very glad to have seen it-and from the comfort of my own home. Taped live performances are always so fun, and they're rare, too; so, catch them when you can.
Kevin Kline is a pro. He's a great actor, and he's incredibly handsome. While he can't help the molecules of his face, the audience can't help but find absolutely nothing wrong with him, nose and all. As Jennifer Garner prefers the young, handsome, idiotic Daniel Sunjata, we don't understand why. It's Kevin Kline! He's still handsome, despite the prosthetic nose, and he's charming, witty, virile, poetic, and brave. It doesn't make sense for someone who sees Errol Flynn when he looks in the mirror to play a role in which he's supposedly too ugly to love. That being said, since Kevin Kline is such a pro, he does give an excellent performance. He rattles off the Shakespearean-esque dialogue as if it's too easy for him, gives fantastically subtle expressions for those in the closer rows to appreciate, and bursts into tears at the drop of a hat.
Any of you out there interested in seeing Sydney Bristow and firefighter Franco Rivera in a period piece? Jennifer Garner plays Roxane, and Daniel Sunjata plays her love interest Christian. These roles are a far cry from their usual fare, and it's always fun to see actors trying something new. Chris Sarandon plays one of Jennifer's suitors, a role that's often cut or diminished in other versions, and he adds a bit of class to the stage. Most of the show is performed tongue-in-cheek, but Chris and Kevin pull everyone back in line. If you've seen other versions of the show, you'll notice the different tone of this one. Every chance for a laugh is taken, and expressions and altered lines are added to make it more comedic and accessible for modern audiences.
If you've never seen Cyrano de Bergerac, or have felt intimidated by the language, give this one a shot. It's made very clear, and you'll get a chuckle or two out of it. You'll get to see a live play without having to travel to Manhattan, and you'll get to see Kevin Kline cry because he believes he's so hideous, his true love will never care for him. Since that makes no sense, it's a sure bet you'll never see him in a similar situation ever again.
Kevin Kline is a pro. He's a great actor, and he's incredibly handsome. While he can't help the molecules of his face, the audience can't help but find absolutely nothing wrong with him, nose and all. As Jennifer Garner prefers the young, handsome, idiotic Daniel Sunjata, we don't understand why. It's Kevin Kline! He's still handsome, despite the prosthetic nose, and he's charming, witty, virile, poetic, and brave. It doesn't make sense for someone who sees Errol Flynn when he looks in the mirror to play a role in which he's supposedly too ugly to love. That being said, since Kevin Kline is such a pro, he does give an excellent performance. He rattles off the Shakespearean-esque dialogue as if it's too easy for him, gives fantastically subtle expressions for those in the closer rows to appreciate, and bursts into tears at the drop of a hat.
Any of you out there interested in seeing Sydney Bristow and firefighter Franco Rivera in a period piece? Jennifer Garner plays Roxane, and Daniel Sunjata plays her love interest Christian. These roles are a far cry from their usual fare, and it's always fun to see actors trying something new. Chris Sarandon plays one of Jennifer's suitors, a role that's often cut or diminished in other versions, and he adds a bit of class to the stage. Most of the show is performed tongue-in-cheek, but Chris and Kevin pull everyone back in line. If you've seen other versions of the show, you'll notice the different tone of this one. Every chance for a laugh is taken, and expressions and altered lines are added to make it more comedic and accessible for modern audiences.
If you've never seen Cyrano de Bergerac, or have felt intimidated by the language, give this one a shot. It's made very clear, and you'll get a chuckle or two out of it. You'll get to see a live play without having to travel to Manhattan, and you'll get to see Kevin Kline cry because he believes he's so hideous, his true love will never care for him. Since that makes no sense, it's a sure bet you'll never see him in a similar situation ever again.