{"data":{"id":"88856406-a98c-41a6-b1ae-9748656c59e1","originKind":"SYNDICATED","title":"Review: Cyrano de Bergerac proves to be the best of the season for The Citadel","summary":"There’s a new man in town and he’s about to step into the way of the one man you don’t want to cross, the one man who will not only slay you with his sword but embarrass you with his razor-sharp wit – Cyrano de Bergerac.\n\nThe swashbuckling hero with the big nose is The Citadel ’s latest show on the main stage, playing through May 24. Thankfully they have saved the best for last in a dazzling show sure to bring you to your feet.\n\nCyrano is a man of exceptional talents, those talents being fighting and rhyming. He’s unmatched with a rapier and so good at sword fighting that he has to challenge himself to spitting rhymes while slicing up opponents just to feel alive … or while helping his opponent to their demise.\n\nWe meet this lovable scamp at the theatre, where he picks up his sword to protect the honour of his favourite cousin and would-be paramour Roxane. His ability with the English (and in theory French, given the location) language is so robust, so overwhelming that he even manages to spit red-hot beats using that most unrhymable of words, orange.\n\nBut the woman Cyrano loves is herself smitten with another, admitting early that she harbours affection for the newest noble-born Christian and setting up the famed love triangle at the centre of Cyrano de Bergerac’s life. Roxane asks Cyrano to look after her love interest, and he takes it maybe a bit further than she intended, helping him with his words and, unbeknownst to everyone else, pouring out his feelings for his beautiful cousin.\n\nScott Shpeley puts on an absolute acting clinic as Cyrano, bringing to life the large-nosed Frenchman and making him a well-rounded character. He’s a deeply flawed man, quick to anger and ignorant of consequence, but Shpeley finds his humanity and breaks open his heart in front of the audience.\n\nPlaying the gorgeous dunce Christian is Darren Martens, a man with a million-megawatt smile that could light up a coal mine. He’s funny and gorgeous in equal measure, the perfect foil for the man with the sharp wit and even sharper rapier. But he’s also lovable, a man who just wants to be loved.\n\nMaking her Citadel debut is Stephanie Sy as Roxane, the woman at the middle of the love triangle. Does a triangle have a middle? Whether it’s the middle or some sordid corner of this love trio that she finds herself, Sy does a masterful job of juggling her love interests while somehow remaining above it all. She plays the innocent damsel just hoping to find love in a turbulent world where women don’t always have agency.\n\nThe Citadel’s set design for the show could best be described as epic minimalist. Floating masonry set at various depths gives the show a truly grand feel without crowding out the action on stage. Cyrano and his rhymes are the main attraction and everything on stage feels like it’s there to compliment this amazing story.\n\nAnd of course, an amazing congratulations is in order for playwright Jessy Ardern who has crafted an amazing adaptation of a beloved play. She’s made it feel fresh and witty, bouncy and lively, and most importantly fun. Ardern plays with language and rhymes, making a story set almost 400 years ago feel fresh and relevant in the 21st Century.\n\nCyrano de Bergerac is easily The Citadel’s best show of the season, a brilliant show that hits all of the right notes in a fresh and updated package. It’s a must-see for theatre fans in the city.\n\nCyrano de Bergerac Written by: Edmonton Rostand, adapted by Jessy Ardern\n\nDirected by: Amanda Goldberg\n\nStarring: Scott Shpeley, Stephanie Sy, Alexander Ariate, Darren Martens\n\nWhen: Through to May 24\n\nWhere: The Citadel, 9828 101A Ave.\n\nTickets: Starting at $40, available through citadeltheatre.com or by calling the box office at 780-425-1820","url":"https://edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/review-citadel-edmonton-cyrano-de-bergerac","imageUrl":"https://smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/edmontonjournal/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/citadel-cyrano-de-bergerac-7968_303053137.jpg","publishedAt":"2026-05-11T11:00:30.000Z","sourceLabel":"Edmonton Journal Music","tags":["Entertainment","Local Arts","Theatre"],"authorName":"Justin Bell","contentHtml":"\"Stephanie

There’s a new man in town and he’s about to step into the way of the one man you don’t want to cross, the one man who will not only slay you with his sword but embarrass you with his razor-sharp wit – Cyrano de Bergerac.

The swashbuckling hero with the big nose is The Citadel ’s latest show on the main stage, playing through May 24. Thankfully they have saved the best for last in a dazzling show sure to bring you to your feet.

Cyrano is a man of exceptional talents, those talents being fighting and rhyming. He’s unmatched with a rapier and so good at sword fighting that he has to challenge himself to spitting rhymes while slicing up opponents just to feel alive … or while helping his opponent to their demise.

We meet this lovable scamp at the theatre, where he picks up his sword to protect the honour of his favourite cousin and would-be paramour Roxane. His ability with the English (and in theory French, given the location) language is so robust, so overwhelming that he even manages to spit red-hot beats using that most unrhymable of words, orange.

But the woman Cyrano loves is herself smitten with another, admitting early that she harbours affection for the newest noble-born Christian and setting up the famed love triangle at the centre of Cyrano de Bergerac’s life. Roxane asks Cyrano to look after her love interest, and he takes it maybe a bit further than she intended, helping him with his words and, unbeknownst to everyone else, pouring out his feelings for his beautiful cousin.

Scott Shpeley puts on an absolute acting clinic as Cyrano, bringing to life the large-nosed Frenchman and making him a well-rounded character. He’s a deeply flawed man, quick to anger and ignorant of consequence, but Shpeley finds his humanity and breaks open his heart in front of the audience.

Playing the gorgeous dunce Christian is Darren Martens, a man with a million-megawatt smile that could light up a coal mine. He’s funny and gorgeous in equal measure, the perfect foil for the man with the sharp wit and even sharper rapier. But he’s also lovable, a man who just wants to be loved.

Making her Citadel debut is Stephanie Sy as Roxane, the woman at the middle of the love triangle. Does a triangle have a middle? Whether it’s the middle or some sordid corner of this love trio that she finds herself, Sy does a masterful job of juggling her love interests while somehow remaining above it all. She plays the innocent damsel just hoping to find love in a turbulent world where women don’t always have agency.

The Citadel’s set design for the show could best be described as epic minimalist. Floating masonry set at various depths gives the show a truly grand feel without crowding out the action on stage. Cyrano and his rhymes are the main attraction and everything on stage feels like it’s there to compliment this amazing story.

And of course, an amazing congratulations is in order for playwright Jessy Ardern who has crafted an amazing adaptation of a beloved play. She’s made it feel fresh and witty, bouncy and lively, and most importantly fun. Ardern plays with language and rhymes, making a story set almost 400 years ago feel fresh and relevant in the 21st Century.

Cyrano de Bergerac is easily The Citadel’s best show of the season, a brilliant show that hits all of the right notes in a fresh and updated package. It’s a must-see for theatre fans in the city.

\"

Cyrano de Bergerac

Written by: Edmonton Rostand, adapted by Jessy Ardern

Directed by: Amanda Goldberg

Starring: Scott Shpeley, Stephanie Sy, Alexander Ariate, Darren Martens

When: Through to May 24

Where: The Citadel, 9828 101A Ave.

Tickets: Starting at $40, available through citadeltheatre.com or by calling the box office at 780-425-1820

\"","slug":"review-cyrano-de-bergerac-proves-to-be-the-best-of-the-season-for-the-citadel","publicPath":"/news/2026-05-11-review-cyrano-de-bergerac-proves-to-be-the-best-of-the-season-for-the-citadel"}}