A TALE OF TWO CITIES : The New Marquee, Concept CD & More.....- Page 3

[philly03]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 1:59pm

I like how I posted that thing about "Until Tomorow"/"One Day More" three hours before that.

ANYWAY!, I feel like an idiot but what is CSR? I'm seeing the Walnut production tomorrow :).

"Call me crazy, but there aren't a lot of things better than Noll singing "Without A Word," a monster of a song that I just can't hear sung by anyone else."

If I'm not mistaken voices, Brandi Burkhardt & Christiane Noll do sound somewhat similar. They both have done Emma in Jekyll anyway!

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 2:02pm

CSR = Complete Symphonic Recording. In Les Mis's case, it'd be the one with Gary Morris as Valjean.

And I guess I never caught that line because I saw the tour in 2005 or so.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 2:23pm

My only question about the marquee is, why did they use the rejected Equus logo?

[winston89]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 2:25pm

The thing about that Les Miserables line is that not too long after the CSR came out they started to cut and edit the show because it was too long. I have trouble figuring out what cuts where made when and what productions use what lines. It doesn't shock me that that line is in the Walnut production of the show. However, it was around 01 when that line was cut from at least the Broadway production.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 2:41pm

Ive just finished listening to the demo of this, its very bland

[Eagleman]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 5:42pm

Well, there certainly looks like there's going to be a lot of scenery to chew.

I would wish great success on everyone associated with a production--particularly first-timers like this who have put there heart and soul into the show for so long.

Practically speaking, I wish Jill Santoriello would have been smitten by a lesser known work and put a great deal of distance between this show and Les Mis.

And forgive me for being cynical but I think "ATOTC" should have waited until nxt April or May to open so it wouldn't have to go up against "Billy Elliot". I may be one of the few higher-order mammals (and, yes, I'm flattering myself) who wasn't blown away by the show, but enough people were to make it Broadway's "The Dark Knight".

I am really having major problems with the marketing of this show--from the giveaway of music on the website and to the "Join the Revolution" tag which is really asking for trouble if the show doesn't do well.

I think "It was the spring of hope,,, .", would have ben a better choice, suggested
a show that could be ultimately uplifting and noble while at the same intimating Dickens invincible faith in the redemption of the fallen human being as illustrated the heroism of Sidney Carton.

This looks like a banner that was plastered on the Casino de Capri in Cuba in 1953.




Updated On: 7/23/08 at 05:42 PM

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 5:49pm

I just hate how the Hirschfeld marquee is so bland on the one side. It doesn't even have anything on the front. How boring!

[Eagleman]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 7:10pm

I would guess the boards you see on the dolly's in the second picture under the marquis on the left side of the photo will be assembled for the marquis' larger frontpiece.

[BroadwayBaby6]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 7:24pm

Allow me to add my two cents regarding ATOTC. I have listened to the demo recording and it is good, not great but good. I don't know what producers were thinking but the era of historical pop-operas has long passed as the quick demise of Pirate Queen has shown. NY Critics are unlikely to rave about a show in this genre and most audiences simply are not interested in going to a Les Miz wannabe.

With all respect to the fine cast of this tuner, I fear that this relatively expensive show will not be be able to succeed on Broadway.

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 8:21pm

I don't think it's quite fair to compare every new pop historical tuner to THE PIRATE QUEEN. The era might be past and you all may very well be right. It's going to be a hell of challenge to cover the overhead on this one, but maybe I'm just trying to be an optimist for once. I appreciate the work and time that has gone into it and was more impressed from Day One than I am with most of the stuff they put out there. In any case, it's something different at this point in time. Clearly Broadway is at a place where a show of this kind is actually a rarity. We've got plenty of the same right now, so for however long this runs, I'm happy to see it mixed up a bit- and I would go out on a limb and say this will be a good amount better than PQ.

philly03, I like what I've heard of Ms Burkhart and look forward to hearing her in the role. I just think Christiane's voice is remarkable and fits that song perfectly.

On a side note, I'm actually heading down to see the Philly LM next Friday and couldn't be more excited to finally see a new staging of the piece with a top-notch cast like that. Love me some Panaro.

[philly03]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 8:31pm

"I don't think it's quite fair to compare every new pop historical tuner to THE PIRATE QUEEN."

Me either. The Pirate Queen all-together sucked. The entire story of it too! Atleast compare it to something moderately successful [in London] in The Woman in White! That was the first show if I recall that completely said that Broadway is DONE with pop-opera type! (If you want to even call WiW that!)

And actually, I'm with whoever said it--some people might actually see this because it is similar to Les Mis!

And it's got an incredible cast! I really really like Brandi Burkhardt...with the exception that her & Frank Wildhorn are like engaged and there's a ginormous age difference (I think!). Oh well!

And on a side note, I cannot wait until Broadway.com (which looks like they're OBSESSED with this show) post a video backstage iwht the cast (like Passing Strange did "on here") and they talk about how successful the show is and how Jaystarr is wrong about how its a watered down Les Mis! Now wouldn't that be the day! Updated On: 7/23/08 at 08:31 PM

[jaystarr]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 9:28pm

In REHEARSAL video: (from the other site)

http://www.broadway.com/Gen/Buzz_Video.aspx?ci=568981


Enjoy!

J*

[JRybka]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 9:39pm

I kind-a hope that this show works....

[sanda]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 9:45pm

I will see the show for sure.

[alfgiotir]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 9:56pm

^Same here.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 10:30pm

I actually really LIKE the Concept Album.

I find it to be more Jekyll and Hyde meets Diet Les Mis.

[philly03]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 10:41pm

I'm with you husk..I really like the Concept album for the most part too! Except I'm not sure where you're getting J&H. I think more The Scarlet Pimpernel...in more ways then 1. First, she tried to do the "pop" music aspect of it, but clearly mixed with seom more classical sounding stuff...and the love triangle between 1 woman & 2 men. Except, I can see where it would be more Jekyll (for similar reasons with the music) and the battle ""inside" Sydney & Jekyll/Hyde?!

Anyway, I'm real excited for this!

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 10:53pm

Well, the score sounds more like Jekyll than it did Pimpernel. But, I've listened to Pimpernel maybe twice?

[p.s.]

Posted: 7/24/08 at 11:59am

REHEARSAL video:

It was curious to me that we don't see or hear Aaron Lazar singing.


p.s. Is it all in my mind, or could he have been cast just for his looks!

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/24/08 at 1:56pm

After watching the rehearsal video, I'm sort of excited? The set looks beautiful, and it's nice to have a big, lavish musical back on Broadway again. I will def. go see this.

[amoni]

Posted: 7/24/08 at 2:45pm

That tree in front of the marquee really does need to find a new residence. Perhaps replanted in one of the city parks or someone can find a nice home for it in the country. I'm sure more than one producer wanted to chop it down in the middle of the night. They pay good money for the marquee and front of house signage and it's all but invisible. People can walk down 45th and never know there's a theater across 8th. They could place one of those nice potted shrubs that are in front of the theater in it's place.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 7/24/08 at 4:53pm

From what I've heard, it really does sound a lot like Les Mis...

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 7/24/08 at 6:30pm

For some reason, I keep thinking of Lestat whenever I see something from this show. Even though they aren't terribly similar...although I suspect the final number of performances might be in the same ballpark.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/24/08 at 7:31pm

I don't think calling it a Les Miz rehash is unjustified, but it's not a big deal. That's like comparing Throughly Modern Millie and No No Nanette. They both have the same "sound," but they're completely different shows.

[trav08]

Posted: 8/3/08 at 8:49pm

I love the concept album. I think some of the songs definitely are cardboard cut outs, but some songs are really beautiful. I want this show to succeed. Maybe the tourist will latch onto it.

PS Natalie Toro rocks.