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Cyrano de Bergerac ~ Synetic Theatre

Jordan Wright
February 14, 2019

Maryam Najafzaga as Roxanne – Photo credit is Johnny Shryock

Talk about drama!  With a scant 24-hour notice Vato Tsikurishvili was thrust into the role of Cyrano when leading man Justin Bell fell ill.  Vato, a consummate performer and teacher, has performed in countless Synetic productions – his parents, Paata and Irina Tsikurishvili, are co-founding Artistic Directors.  He has performed with the troupe since he was four and is a nine-time Helen Hayes Award nominee and five-time award-winning ensemble member with Synetic.  He is also the Director of this production of Cyrano de Bergerac and naturally knew all the scenes.  And since this is one of Synetic’s famed series wordless productions., at least he didn’t have to learn lines!  Crisis averted.

The Cast of Cyrano de Bergerac – Photo credit is Johnny Shryock

During the six years I have reviewed Synetic’s stagings, they have performed within many unique sets.  I once was blown away as they did the entire play in six inches of sand and another time for The Tempest the stage was constructed to hold six inches of water.  Once they surrounded the stage with tall plexiglass panels so the audience wouldn’t get drenched in Day-Glo paint that was splashed around in a massive hookah-smoking party scene.  But in this equally imaginative interpretation, one of their finest to date, there is no elaborate staging and no moving sets.  It is just pure theater – full of classical pantomime,  eye-popping dance and clever acrobatics.

Vato Tsikurishvili as Cyrano with Maryam Najafzada as Roxanne – Photo credit is Johnny Shryock

We all know the story of Cyrano.  Dismissed as a lover by his unappealing looks (the nose!), he nevertheless remains friends with Roxanne.  When his dashing friend Christian tells him of his love for the beautiful Roxanne, Cyrano takes a back seat, helping Christian write tender love letters while the men are off to war.  As a result, she falls madly in love with Christian and marries him only to discover after his death, that Cyrano is the author of those letters that so touched her heart.  Their re-uniting as old folks is what makes this an indelible and ageless love story.

Matt R. Stover as Christian with Maryam Najafzada as Roxanne – Photo credit is Johnny Shryock

Vato uses the 19th century play by Edmond Rostand as backdrop for this magnificent action ballet and pantomime starring Maryam Najafzada, a young classically-trained Azerbaijan ballerina.  We saw and raved about her last October in Synetic’s production of Sleepy Hollow.  Najafzada is as liquid as poured mercury.  She first appears as a swan bathed in a golden light.  Her dance is en pointe in a tutu that releases downy white feathers when she flutters.  Her facial expressions speak more words than words could.  She is magnificent.

Vato Tsikurishvili as Cyrano – Photo credit Johnny Shyrock

An invented character called Time is played by another Synetic regular, Ana Tsikurishvili, the daughter of Paata and Irina.  A thoroughly captivating dancer clad in harlequin tights and a tutu, she signifies the passage of time and the futility of hours wasted in unrequited love.  This delicate enchantress beckons Cyrano to make haste while life passes him by, appearing with fluttering doves in her attempt to end the war.

Ana Tsikurishvili as Time ~ Photo credit Johnny Shyrock

This action play owes much of its lyrical allure to Irina Tsikurishvili’s choreography, especially in the pas de deux with Cyrano and Roxanne, and another with Time and Roxanne, as well as its immersive mood created by Konstantine Lortipanidze who weaves techno-pop with tango.

A feast for the eyes and heart.   Highly recommended.

With Matt R. Stover as Christian; Phillip Fletcher as De Guiche; and Anne Flowers as Priest.

Resident Composer & Sound Designer, Konstantine Lortkipanidze; Lighting Designer, Brian S. Allard; Adapter, Nathan Weinberger; Scenic Designer, Phil Charlwood; and Costume Designer, Alison Samantha Johnson.
Through March 10th at Synetic Theater, 1800 South Bell Street, Arlington, VA in Crystal City.  For tickets and information call 1-866-811-4111 or visit www.synetictheater.org.

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