Cyrano de Bergerac, a play by Edmond Rostand (translated by Anthony Burgess) at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. Starring Kevin Kline, Jennifer Garner and Deniel Sunjata. Directed by David Leveaux. It was obvious when this revival was announced that Kevin Kline would be an ideal Cyrano. Indeed it is hard to imagine that Jose Ferrer, Walter Hampden or even Coquelin himself was any better. Kline brings the swashbuckling rollicking gifts he first displayed as the Pirate King in "The Pirates of Penzance" so many years ago, combined with the pathos and humor he warmly bathed the Lincoln Center audience in as a sublime Falstaff. This is as good as classical acting gets. But what of his fair Roxanne? Eyebrows were raised when Jennifer Garner was cast, and rightly so when so many movie stars have crashed and burned so recently on the New York stage. Would Garner fail as did Julia Roberts, Helen Hunt, Anne Hathaway and Julienne Moore? Or would she succeed the way Nicole Kidman and Cate Blanchett have? Well for us, she was the finest of all - a superb Roxanne. Flashing her trademark bone structure and blazing eyes, she gives a complete performance. She is fluid, commands the stage (and always our hearts and sympathy) and speaks her lovely lines expertly, not once faltering or (usually the telltale sign of a film star on stage) shouting. If she can be faulted at all, it is that her voice is not mellifluous or her elocution as fine as a more experienced and grounded stage actress might be. But she's so good, so lovely, and so in sync with her Cyrano that this must be reckoned a complete triumph for her.
As Christian, Daniel Sunjata is a hunk, and a hunk who can act. The staging is near perfect. The way the second act began was an inspiration. David Leveaux has done a splendid job. Cyrano is still in previews. If it gets any better it will be legendary. As it is, this is a marvelous and joyous accomplishment. classical theater on a very high level. Broadway Bridge and Tunnel Test grade A.