“Cyrano,” the wistful story of a wordsmith with low self-esteem, has begun previews at the American Airlines Theatre, ahead of an Oct. 11 opening.

Based on the classic 1897 play by Edmond Rostand, “Cyrano” is a by-now familiar tale about a witty nobleman in love with Roxane, who can’t see past his prominent nose. Roxane has fallen for a handsome, if verbally inept cadet, who turns to the title character for help with his seduction technique.

Tony-winner Douglas Hodge (“La Cage aux Folles”) stars as the nobleman “with a head for poetry and a nose for miles,” as it’s put in the press notes from the Roundabout Theatre Company. Roxane is Clemence Poesy, the French actress known for playing Fleur Delacour in the “Harry Potter” films.

“What we’re planning with ‘Cyrano’ is outrageous, and sort of the punk version,” Hodge says in a promotional video for the show, a limited engagement through Nov. 25. 

“(Cyrano) feels disfigured and says he has a ‘growth’ on his face,” Hodge says. “So it shouldn’t just be a ‘comedy’ kind of clown nose. It should be something real ... a disfigurement that makes him feel he can never be loved by anyone.”

Patrick Page (“Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark”) also stars, as “Comte De Guiche,” the vengeful count.

 

“Cyrano de Bergerac” first opened on Broadway in 1898 and has been revived more than a dozen times, most recently in 2007 with Kevin Kline and Jennifer Garner. The 1987 film comedy “Roxanne,” based on the story, starred Steve Martin and Daryl Hannah.

Deadline.com reported last month that NBC has bought a romantic comedy inspired by the story and written by a former staff writer for “The West Wing.” Tentatively titled “Cyrano,” the project sets Rostand’s tale in the world of campaign politics.

Tickets for Broadway's "Cyrano" are available by calling Roundabout Ticket Services at 212-719-1300, or online at www.roundabouttheatre.org. The Roundabout’s video preview for “Cyrano” is below.