Throughout the semester, the Lectures, Concerts, and Exhibition Series brings a variety of musical groups, public speakers, writers, and other performers to broaden students’ horizons here at Western. Not to mention, LCE is providing the great opportunity for students to get together to see or hear something they might not normally find or even hear about in their hometowns.
For one night only, Tuesday, Jan. 23, LCE Series will bring to Cullowhee the theater classic, Cyrano de Bergerac. The acclaimed Aquila Theatre Company will present the play as part of its North American tour.
The show begins at 7:30 in Hoey Auditorium. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and WCU employees, $5 for children and non-WCU students, and free to WCU students with a valid identification. For reservations and ticket information, call (828) 227-7206.
This classic and adventuresome tale is set in 17th century France. The audience is pulled into the story of an excellent swordsman who is in love with a beautiful and alluring woman named Roxanne, but he is afraid he can never win her affections. He feels this way because of his famous large nose. So he decides to keep his attraction for Roxanne inside, until he meets the handsome Christian de Neuvillette. Christian assists Cyrano in wooing Roxanne by composing love letters and teaching him the arts of eloquence, courtship, and poetry.
So does the alliance between Cyrano and Christian bring about the desired results? For those who know the love story of Cyrano, this production will allow a chance to revisit the drama. For those who haven’t yet seen the story of Cyrano and see his story unravel, here’s your chance.
First staged in 1897, Cyrano de Bergerac was written by French dramatist Edmond Rostand. Today it stands as one of the most famous French plays of the late 19th century and is based on a true historical figure.
WCU’s production will be staged by the Aquila Theatre Company, whose past performances have earned praise from The New Yorker. Recently named Company in Residence at the Center for Ancient Studies at New York University, Aquila has established a place of permanence in New York. The company has also developed special performance programs with museums and galleries such as the British Museum, the McNay Art Museum, and the Folger Shakespeare Library. The company was founded in 1991 and has toured extensively in Europe, the United States, and Canada.
This production promises to give students an opportunity to see the classic tale performed by a talented and well-known company. It also gives students a chance to unwind and gather for an entertaining evening.
