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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
CyraNOSE
Verdict: Love, intrigue, difference
Edinburgh 05 - Greenside Venue 231 - 9-12 August 05 - (1hr-20min)
1415 (9 Aug), 1615 (10 Aug), 1815 (11 Aug), 2015 (12 Aug)
Cyrano de Bergerac transfers to a contemporary American high school for this production, which centres round schoolboy CD (Brett Emanuel) and his long nose. There's a cast of 10 (4M, 6F).
CD lusts for Roxanne (KC Schammert). But she looks on him as a friend, damned by his ugliness. Sports-player Chris Newville (Kevin Brody) is in with a chance - if he can do something about his brain, which is empty.
CD gets into fights, and Counselor Gooch (Allison Porschakin) directs him to teach and mentor Chris as anger management. The two become reluctant accomplices in sending seductive texts to Roxanne (shown on an overhead screen). CD composes, Chris sends. Roxanne likes their heartfelt poetry, and Chris makes romantic progress while CD pines, angrily. The Great Gatsby is invoked, both as a teaching vehicle, and for its doomed content.
The looming problem is what might happen when Roxanne and Chris meet face-to-face. The boys solve this by wiring Chris up with an earpiece - CD tells him what to say. This creates one of the play's funniest scenes, with some superb comic dialogue.
Jealousy points to the play's climax. CD anonymously enters aspiring singer Roxanne for a talent night at local venue the Boar's Head - she thinks it's Chris. Airhead sports-player Vinnie (Timothy Oravec), the play's baddie, is homoerotically jealous of losing Chris to his new friends. He finds the phone used for the deception, confronts Roxanne with it and attacks her sexually. She's rescued by CD and Chris, but dismayed by the trick.
In the aftermath, when all the class's relationships bubble into truth and confusion, CD gets a declaration of gay love from his mate musician Brett (Raul Cotaquispe), and varying degrees of friendship from classmates Reggie (Laura Currie) and Lisa (Ally Leidig). Overall, the play centres on love, intrigue, difference.
The cast are high-school students aged 14-18, so it's not surprising that the performances are variable in conviction. But all are enthusiastic and dedicated, and there is a lively feel to the production.
Brett Emanuel as CD, and Kevin Brody as Chris Newville are outstanding - each a credible characterisation. Their on-stage relationship drives the play along, and each has a clear understanding of what that dynamic is. It's sometimes very funny, sometimes poignant, always watchable and absorbing. They deliver highly professional performances, each with charisma.
The play is effectively produced (by Jennifer O'Leary); well and wittily rewritten by director Mark Begovich; there's imaginative music by Raul Cotaquispe. Lighting by Kristie Waters, and sound by Amanda Zawisza are well-delivered. Projections by Emily Bruzzini with slides by Stephanie Charaska, create convincing narrative. There is imaginative moulding by Emily Charaska. Scenic design by Christopher Jensen is attractive as is (uncredited) costume design. Make-up and hair by Allison Porschakin are beautifully done.
What will Roxanne decide? In the ideal, she'll see CD for the true love he is, and disregard his deformity. Fat chance.
More promisingly, CD gets hot looks of near-certainty from Chris's decidedly un-jockish sister Lena Newville (Samantha Wilson). Perhaps she's seen the cartoon of Snow White sitting on the face of another (occasionally) long-nosed person. 'Lies, Pinnochio. Tell me lies.'
Cast Credits: (alpha order): Brett Emanuel - CD. Kevin Brody - Chris Newville. Raul Cotaquispe - Brett. Laura Currie - Reggie. Victoria Grabowski - Ms Duarte. Ally Leidig - Lisa. Timothy Oravec - Vinnie. Allison Porschakin - Counselor Gooch. KC Schammert - Roxanne 'Rox'. Samantha Wilson - Lena Newville.
Company Credits: Writer (of Cyrano de Bergerac) - Edmund Rostand. Adapter & Director - Mark Begovich. Song Better (Because of You) - Raul Cotaquispe (music) & Mark Begovich (lyrics). Music - Paradigm (www.paradigmrock.net). Stage Manager - Emily Charaska. House Manager - September Matthiessen. Assistant Stage Manager - Stephanie Charaska. Lighting - Kristie Waters. Sound - Amanda Zawisza. Projections - Emily Bruzzini. Run Crew - Jessica Ludwin. Ushers - Dulce Ocampo, Lilliana Ocampo. Scenic Design - Christopher Jensen. Make-Up & Hair - Allison Porschakin. Molding - Emily Charaska. Slides - Stephanie Charaska. Producer - Jennifer O'Leary. Company - Leyden Theatre, Chicago - Leyden High School District 212.
END
John Park
reviewed Wednesday 10 August 05 / Greenside
(CyraNOSE is one of the 38 plays in the American High School Theatre Festival at Edinburgh Fringe 05)
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
