Cyrano De Bergerac Tickets – Experience The Interplay Of Love And Tragedy!Looking For Some Great Theater? Try Les Liaisons Dangereuses! - By: Al Terry

It's no secret that Les Liaisons Dangereuses is one of the most powerful novels ever written. Its story is so gripping that it is one of the few novels that has been repeatedly adapted for the screen and stage, in fact even today. Legions of actors have cut their teeth on these roles and directors are continuously pushing themselves to interpret the story a little differently. The latest of these stage productions is a recent Broadway play starring Laura Linney and Ben Daniels.

Cruel Games, Cruel Intentions

Like many pieces, Les Liaisons Dangereuses focuses on the deceptions that people play on each other. But in this set-up, it takes on a more sinister aspect that resembles a twisted game more than anything else. The play revolves around two main characters, the Vicomte de Valmont and the Marquise de Merteuil. These two are rivals who use sex as a way of degrading others. They take great pride in boasting of their conquests to each other and are keen on an unending game of one-upmanship.

The two of them embark on an elaborate plan to seduce Madame de Tourvel and the corrupt Cécile de Volanges. As the game becomes more complicated, the two players realize that they are in too deep. Valmont realizes that he has fallen in love with Tourvel. Merteuil plots revenge on Valmont and in the process, he dies- but not before he reveals what Merteuil has been up to. Though she leaves the country, her face is scarred because of illness and she loses the one asset that she had- her beauty. Cecile enters a convent and Tourvel dies of a fever. In the end, this elaborate game ends in tragedy for all the characters.

An Actor's Delight

Not only has Les Liaisons Dangereuses been adapted many times, it has featured some of the best actors of our times. One of the most famous adaptations has been the movie, Dangerous Liaisons, which starred John Malkovich, Glenn Close and Michelle Pfeiffer. The movie, Cruel Intentions, featured the same storyline, though it dealt with modern teenagers instead. The movie starred young heavyweights like Reese Witherspoon, Sarah Michelle Geller and Ryan Phillipe. The current Broadway production stars Laura Linney, who is no stranger to Hollywood and television. She plays the role of Merteuil and many critics have said that she is currently the best thing on Broadway. Her exquisite costumes and cold, cunning smile have given a number of theater-goers the shivers! Ben Daniels who plays the role of Valmont is equally fabulous, with critics drawing parallels to Alan Rickman's unforgettable Broadway performance of the same role in 1986. An extra treat to those watching Les Liaisons Dangereuses is the role of Cecile, played by Meryl Streep's daughter Mamie Gummer. Gummer has also drawn a lot of praise for her interpretation of the naïve, slightly dim-witted Cecile.

However, Les Liaisons Dangereuses isn't just about the characters themselves. It's also a strong reflection of the French aristocracy of those times. Debauchery, excess and perversion seemed to mark the lifestyles of the upper class and when this reached saturation, it set off the revolution. If you don't have the time to pick up tickets in line, you can always order them via internet from an authorized ticket vendor.

About the Author

Al enjoys to write articles about New York City entertainment including Broadway and the hit production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses now playing. His reviews and news of Les Liaisons Dangereuses are updated daily and provide fans with advice for buying tickets to a performance.

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