CYRANO de Bergerac has a rich history. It was written in 1897 by French playwright Edmond Rostand, achieved huge success almost immediately, and has become one of the most popular and celebrated of all French plays. Like so many of the works of the turn of the century, it was written in five acts, the first four taking place in the year 1640, and the final act some 15 years later. Today, of course, it is customarily performed with a single intermission and, indeed, the current presentation by Actors’ NET at its Morrisville, Pa., playhouse is performed that way.

   Cyrano has been made into an opera, a ballet and set to film on several occasions. It was written in rhyming couplets of 12 syllables per line and there are multiple English translations. The one being used here is a fine one — by Anthony Burgess — and it is both comfortable to the ear and jauntingly charming. The play itself runs a bit more than three hours, even with large cuts, but moves quickly.

   For many years actor Walter Hampden brought the show to Broadway — first in 1923 for 232 performances (still the Broadway record) — and then three more times before turning the role over to José Ferrer in 1946 (Ferrer was just off the triumph as Iago in Paul Robeson’s Othello). Ferrer also starred in the 1950 film adaptation of the play, but the crowning performance came when Ferrer played Cyrano for the first four acts and then Hampden played Act 5. (Only once, on a Saturday night in New York.)

   Perhaps we should recall the simple plot: Cyrano is a poet, valiant and romantic, but desperately sensitive regarding the size of his nose. Although he adores the beautiful Roxane, he wins her love through his ardent letters, written not for himself, but for the handsome (and stupid) Christian de Neuvillette, whom he also prompts to eloquence under Roxane’s balcony at night. Christian and Roxane marry and though Christian is killed in battle almost immediately, Cyrano keeps his secret and fuels Roxane’s love for the dead man by weekly visits to the nunnery where she has taken refuge. After 15 years, Cyrano is mortally wounded by an enemy and the truth is finally disclosed.

   The Actors’ NET revival is no small challenge — there is a cast of 21 covering the 43 roles in the drama. Leading the procession is the husband and wife team of George Hartpence and Carol Thompson and it is they who brilliantly plow through the extraordinary dialogue. And they do it with such panache that one is tempted to believe it is everyday talk, when in fact it is the height of poetic fancy. They have considerable help, of course, from Chuck Donnelly as Le Bret; from Constance Carey as Roxane’s Duenna; from Tom Orr as the rapacious Comte De Guiche; from Walter Smyth in multiple roles, but especially as a Capuchin monk.

   What a delight to see the wonderful show once more and how rare to find a community group audacious enough to tame it. Cheryl Doyle has directed with great insight into its complexities, including some serious swordplay, complicated scene changes and large ensemble scenes. It remains a lovely evening of theater and be fairly warned: the show will certainly sell out, so make reservations and make them early.

Cyrano de Bergarac is at The Heritage Center, 635 N. Delmorr Ave., Morrisville, Pa., through April 20. Performances: Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m. Sun. 6 p.m. Tickets cost $20, $17 seniors, $10 children under 13; (215) 295-3694.