A TALE OF TWO CITIES Reviews — Page 5

If you think Brantley is new to this type of humor in Broadway reviews or NY Times theatre reviews, you haven't read many reviews.

I haven't seen this show, but I enjoyed reading his take on it. That's part of his job too.

To inform, to critique and (believe it or not) to entertain.

And you should check out some classic reviews from the Golden Age. They would make his comments here seem like praise.

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The Newark Star-Ledger is Negative:

'Two different trial sequences, a street riot and the fall of the Bastille are among the show's grander segments. Set against blue backgrounds for London and red for Paris, designer Tony Walton's movable, three-story, skeleton units efficiently roll around accommodating the action. All shafts of light and washes of color, Richard Pilbrow's lighting adds visual drama. Too bad the bustling staging by Warren Carlyle tends to be more cluttered than dynamic.'

http://www.nj.com/entertainment/arts/index.ssf/2008/09/ofttold_tale_arrives_as_musica.html


John Simon is Negative:

'James Barbour, as Carton, with a kind of Barbra Streisand wig (unless -- a far, far worse thing -- it actually is his hair), looks a bit daft, which is, apparently the way one portrays a man progressing from drunkenness into lovesickness. He can sing but prefers to bellow, croon or whisper -- the last, given the lyrics, especially considerate. He is particularly good at wittily throwaway lines, albeit more could be thrown. I had some trouble with his speaking voice, which often suggests an internal echo chamber.'

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=a33pA8SbWZzw&refer=muse


Clive Barnes gives the show 1 1/2 Stars out of 4:

'IT was the worst of times... and the worst of times. Who knew how eagerly I'd await Sydney Carton's closing words, "It's a far, far better thing that I do..."

Actually, this Carton - a sensational James Barbour - didn't put a foot wrong all evening. It was where he had to put his foot that things fell apart.'

http://www.nypost.com/seven/09192008/entertainment/theater/it_should_be_far__far_better_129735.htm


The Journal News is Negative:

'If you loved "Les Miz" and "The Scarlet Pimpernel" on Broadway, you might like "A Tale of Two Cities."

A little.'

http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008809190311

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Review Roundup

Word of Mouth:
Positive

Newsday:
Mixed

The New York Sun, NY1, Talkin' Broadway:
Mixed-to-Negative

AM New York, The Associated Press, Clive Barnes, Hollywood Reporter, John Simon, The Journal News, The Newark Star-Ledger, The New York Times, Theatermania, USA Today, Variety:
Negative

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Updated On: 9/19/08 at 11:32 AM

I know I am in the minority but I agree with Simon's assesment of The Male Lead's acting. It's a lot of posing, strutting and bellowing and not much else.
Now his hair/wig/extentions are being compared to a Barbra Steisand wig!

I listened to a few sample tracks on their Web site when it first went up and basically never came back again. The songs were several notches below "ordinary."

I was (and still am) surprised that it made it this far. At the time I thought, "well, this will never get to Broadway."

And it did.

...for one brief shining moment that was known as...

*yawn*

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Whoever posted "...sound like Brantley was sucked away..." That's my line of the day. There's nothing like being "sucked away" when you need it most.

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Seriously? I've found a ton of things that refer to him as "Carlton." I guess I just kept misreading after I got that into my head. At least I know I'm not the only one who was wrong, haha.

Updated On: 9/19/08 at 02:19 PM

The New Cast of Word of Mouth is Positive:

MARY: "It was excellent... I was really enthralled."

MAGGIE: "It's quite a production: it's a complete package."

JAYSTARR STEVEN: "Not my taste."

http://www.broadway.com/gen/general.aspx?ci=571361

I miss Ellen...

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Updated On: 9/19/08 at 04:51 PM

Winston! Calling Mr. Winston! Report to Aisle Four ... We have a spillage. It looks like your ego is all over the floor.

Of course not all shows should be based on the critics but there's about one or two positive reviews in ALL of these. The majority are negatie and mixed-to-negative.

I love all of the schillers who are backpeddling. Too funny!

So, Winston, you are sure you didn't see a "Les Mis" rip off? I think you're in the minority, my sweet cupcake.

So anyone think the Hirschfeld might become the home of WSS now?

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I was being sarcastic.

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I've been singing "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" all day. Then my musical-hating mom started humming it. Today, out of the blue, she said, "That's a *nice* song. Is it one of those Michael Ball ones?"

In her defense, whenever I sing in my low register, it usually means I'm emulating Michael Ball. Also, I think she got it confused with "Empty Chairs At Empty Tables." But I was glad when my mom started humming it, because so many reviews had people saying that they didn't find anything in the show to hum afterward.

Question-- is there a concept recording that I can legally obtain? I'm starting to doubt they'll make a Broadway recording, I want to be able to hear these fantastic voices again and again.

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From the sound of it, that's as close as we're gonna get to a cast recording.

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