The Pasadena Playhouse will be presenting its production of the timeless stage play “Cyrano de Bergerac” on September 4. It is scheduled to end its run on September 29, and stars Chukwudi Iwuji in the title role.
Iwuji is widely popular for portraying the dynamic supervillain High Evolutionary in the Marvel film “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.” He also plays Clemson Murn in the Max streaming series “Peacemaker.” They are both successful comic book genre franchises.
The online adoration for Iwuji’s portrayal of both characters should be of no surprise, especially since he was a classically trained stage actor first.
Nigerian born, Iwuji attended boarding school in England, and it was in England where he first discovered his passion for the theatre. He began performing at the Royal Shakespeare Company and has engaged international audiences ever since.
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Iwuji said there is not much difference between theatre in the United Kingdom and theatre in the United States.
“If I were to say there was a big difference — there is much more of a culture of apprenticeships still in the U.K.,” he said.
“For instance,” Iwuji continued, “I finished drama school here in the states, and then went back to the U.K…. There’s a real culture of bringing young actors in… whereas I find here in the states drama school, there isn’t really that much subsidized theatre – there isn’t that much opportunity to apprentice.”
Iwuji explained that actors are expected to pay for classes here in the United States, but in England, training is given with the intent of an actor working for the company. He also feels actors in the U.K. are immersed more in classic plays.
The classic tale of Cyrano de Bergerac centers around a man with a large nose who feels he is not good-looking enough to gain the love of his cousin, Roxane. He pens letters that his handsome friend, Christian, puts his name on to help Christian earn Roxane’s love.
Amongst many stage productions, and film and television adaptations of “Cyrano de Bergerac,” Iwuji said playwright Martin Crimp’s translation of the piece is different because it is “sexy, hilarious, and modern.”
“Because we don’t want it to be just another Cyrano, we’re trying to understand the relationships with these characters,” said Iwuji. “And for all the fun and hilarity, and buoyance — there are some really damaged people who are all seeking stuff they never get. The three protagonists never get what they want.”
Iwuji contended that the Pasadena Playhouse production of “Cyrano de Bergerac” is more human than previous iterations of the work. He said it is a modern production that audiences will connect with.
Regarding his previous work in two successful superhero franchises, Iwuji said he would not have called himself a comic book fan before “Guardians” and “Peacemaker,” but he and his siblings did grow up with comics.
“I grew up in Lagos, Nigeria,” said Iwuji. “My older siblings — my brothers had been born in England, so by the time I was born, my family had moved back to Nigeria, but they still had all these subscriptions to comic books.
“If we had those comics, now,” Iwuji continued, “the amount of money we would be sitting on — original editions – and all that stuff. So, I grew up with Marvel and DC.”
Although, Iwuji said he stopped reading comics at adolescence, he was a big fan of the DC and Marvel live-action adaptations before appearing them, but never imagined himself in them.
“Never once did I think I would be a part of it,” said Iwuji. “I just thought I would always be a fan from the outside.” Iwuji said the mix of “elegance and danger” in portraying a comic book villain is kin to the nature of being a thespian.
For more information on the Pasadena Playhouse production of “Cyrano de Bergerac” starring Chukwudi Iwuji, visit www.pasadenaplayhouse.org.
