hilarious moment at CYRANO matinee

[CapnHook]

Posted: 9/29/12 at 11:02pm

I'm about to reveal a very slight spoiler, so be forewarned:

I was sitting in the orchestra right section and Cyrano made his entrance from the audience by falling into the theater's exit doors which remained propped open for about 20 seconds while he was leaning on them.

From my seat, I was able to see out onto the street and caught the bewildered faces of passerbys on the street. One group was a flock of tourists who had no idea what was going on and as the doors closed, I saw that their faces registered that there was an audience inside watching something.

The hilarious moment came when Cyrano initially burst the doors open. He nearly struck a woman pushing a stroller but she stopped before the door hit them. Of course that is not what is funny, and after the initial shock of the doors being jolted open and my eyes adjusting to the sudden sunlight, I was able to see the toddler's face sitting in the stroller. This cute little girl with curly red hair peered at Cyrano's profile curiously, and in a brief moment when he turned his face towards her, she was suddenly startled by his nose and jumped back in her seat, shrieking in fright.

This tiny moment ranks amongst one of my favorite live theatre experiences.

The play I enjoyed well enough. I'd recommend it.