Panache

A real star is a beautiful thing.  Last night I watched the PBS broadcast of last season's Broadway revival of Cyrano de Bergerac. The play may be over-the-top, sentimental, and slightly silly, but when done right, it's totally irresistible. David Leveaux's production had a fine handle on the spectacle (oh those costumes) and, aside from a blah Jennifer Garner as Roxanne (she wasn't terrible, just not enough to set the heart aflame), the supporting cast was fantastic. But the production's reason for being was Kevin Kline, and what a marvel he is. That voice, that presence, that way of playing an audience like a violin: simply amazing. There is nothing like star quality, and Kline has it in spades. Cyrano should be on PBS a few times more in the next couple of weeks. Watch/tape/Tivo it. You won't regret it.