By David Gordon

Everyone knows the classic story of “Cyrano de Bergerac.” He is the poet and soldier in love with Roxane, his cousin and best friend. He is the famous character whose life would be perfectly happy were it not for his large nose. Roxane is in love with Christian, the handsome yet dim soldier, who uses Cyrano’s way with words to his advantage. Edmund Rostand’s 1897 play has been parodied in Steve Martin’s film “Roxanne”, adapted on PBS’ “Wishbone” series and performed many times through the years.

As translated by the late Anthony Burgess and directed by David Leveaux, “Cyrano de Bergerac” is enjoying a 10-week revival at the Richard Rodgers Theatre starring Kevin Kline, Jennifer Garner and Daniel Sunjata. This production is one for the ages. In a word, it is fantastic.

The key to a perfect production of “Cyrano” is casting. The three leads must have expert comic timing, wonderful chemistry and must convincingly portray three people trapped in a love triangle. Kline, Garner and Sunjata have it in spades.

Kline is a wonderfully charming, charismatic and caustic Cyrano. Sporting the huge schnoz, he completely loses himself within the role. He commands the stage from the moment he climbs on and doesn’t let up for the entire three-hour running time. It’s an iconic, larger-than-life kind of role and one which Kline loves to play. It’s the kind of role he was born to play. And he certainly doesn’t disappoint.

Garner is a very pleasant surprise as Roxane. Best known for action roles like Sydney Bristow on the hit television show “Alias,” no one would have known she’d have such perfect comic timing. Her feisty, romantic performance is delightful and she more than carries her weight against a titan like Kline with aplomb. It’s one of the most impressive screen-to-stage jump to be seen in a long time.

Sunjata, best known for his role on TV’s “Rescue Me” is a reliable Christian – funny, charming and strong. Though he’s not on stage much, he too carries himself very well.

The rest of the cast is very strong as well. In supporting roles, Chris Sarandon is an appropriately passionate de Guiche. Euan Morton and Max Baker are hilarious as Raguenau and Ligniere. Concetta Tomei (best known as the ghostly mother on TV’s “Providence”) is a hoot as Roxane’s chaperone.

Gregory Gale’s period perfect costumes are luxurious, Don Holder’s hazy, dreamy lighting is exquisite (though heavy on spotlights), and Tom Pye’s wood and brick set, with a multitude of gauzy curtains, is glorious.

Leveaux’s production is unspeakably beautiful and incredibly eloquent. He is the master of directing romance and organizing a crowd scene. Nobody gets lost in the shuffle and everyone and everything is appropriately full of what Cyrano likes to call panache.

Intrigued? Want to see it yourself? Buy a ticket for the rear mezzanine, they’re $20. Worth the Jackson, it’s a completely worthwhile way to see a glorious production. It’s theater at its finest.

Kevin Kline, Jennifer Garner and Daniel Sunjata bring star power and talent to a classic story. Now playing on Broadway, “Cyrano” is a fantastic display of all that theater can be. (broadwayworld.com)