(Enlarge) Frank B. Moorman plays the flamboyant title role in "Cyrano de Bergerac," now at the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company in Ellicott City.

It was good ol' Bill Shakespeare who once asked "What's in a name?" Judging by the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company's staging of the non-Shakespearean tragi-comedy "Cyrano de Bergerac," the answer appears to be "not much, in this case."

The Edmond Rostand play, which runs through June 27 in Ellicott City, marks the first time the troupe has broken away from its namesake writer for one of its summer outdoor shows. The results are every bit as good as its Bard productions - if not better.

At this point, the Chesapeake troupe has amassed enough credibility to both attract and retain top-notch talent. That pays dividends here in the casting of Frank B. Moorman in the title role as the legendary would-be lover with the unfortunately long nose.

In the past, Moorman has played major roles in the Chesapeake Shakespeare productions of "King Lear" and "Macbeth." He has performed in every one of the troupe's "Shakespeare in the Ruins" offerings in the evocative remains of the old Patapsco Female Institute.

Moorman's experience here and elsewhere clearly shows. He brings to the role of Cyrano a mix of confidence and sensitivity that's both funny and heartbreaking in this translation by "Clockwork Orange" novelist Anthony Burgess.

We meet Cyrano as a military man with a poetic flair that makes him stand out. Sadly for him, he also has a nose that makes him stand out even more. So, naturally, when Cyrano falls for the local hottie, Roxane (played fetchingly by Ty Hallmark), he keeps his affections to himself.

Roxane, it turns out, is in love with the dashing Christian de Neuvillette, played with a credible humility by Theo Hadjimichael. Christian might be luckier than Cyrano in the looks department, but he lacks Cyrano's personality and way with words.

Anyone who has ever watched a romantic comedy can pretty much guess what happens next. Cyrano agrees to help the bumbling Christian woo Roxane, writing his scripts and even delivering them in the dark.

Most of the play's humor comes from this situation. Without spoiling the plot, there's less of a Hollywood happy ending than you might imagine. Strife often gets an upper hand, especially in the play's many sword fight scenes.

Adding to the unhappiness is a somewhat controlling royal character named Comte de Guiche (Dave Gamble), who throws a monkey wrench into things when he tries to have Roxane married off.

Some of the best laughs are delivered by the various bit players who pop in and out of the many scenes. With over 30 actors in the cast, director Ian Gallanar deserves credit for keeping them straight and choreographing their many entrances and exits. Gallanar also makes a rare on-stage appearance as Montfleury, a character who is, ironically enough, an actor.

The real stars of the evening, though, might be Rebecca Ellis and Marilyn Johnson, neither of whom appear on stage at all. Ellis was responsible for the custom-designed nose that Moorman must sport as Cyrano through the long and humid outdoors performance.

Marilyn Johnson, similarly, designed the costumes that simultaneously evoke the play's late-19th century era and echo the personalities of its various characters. Meanwhile, the clothes are apparently light enough to allow the actors to carry on in a very animated manner and not faint from the temperature and lights.

Triumphing over the erratic recent weather is probably a feat on par with winning the elusive heart of the fair Roxane herself.

The Chesapeake Shakespeare Company presents "Cyrano de Bergerac" through June 27 at the Patapsco Female Institute Historic Park, 3691 Sarah's Lane, in Historic Ellicott City. Performance times are Fridays-Saturdays 8 p.m. and Sundays 5 p.m.

Admission is $25 general Fridays and $30 Saturdays-Sundays, with senior citizens $22-$25 and students under 22 $15 each. Children under 18 are free with a paying adult. The company will present "Twelfth Night" June 26-July 19 in rotating repertoire, including a double-header bill of both plays on Saturday, June 27. Call 866-811-4111 or 410-313-8874 for group sales.

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