A Tale of Two Cities???

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A Tale of Two Cities???

Posted: 5/13/09 at 1:11pm

If we look at the fan's choice awards, you will find something quite fasinating. A Tale of Two Cities is in the top 3 in almost every category... Some are even in the top two... with a 1st in Scenic Design! Now I ask this very simple question... Why did it close so soon if the fans loved it?

re: A Tale of Two Cities???

Posted: 5/13/09 at 1:21pm

Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE

re: A Tale of Two Cities???

Posted: 5/13/09 at 1:32pm

Because, even though the fans loved it, there weren't enough of them.

Broadway shows survive from tourists, not diehard fans. I think [title of show] and XANADU both proved that.

Nothing matters but knowing nothing matters. ~ Wicked
Everything in life is only for now. ~ Avenue Q
There is no future, there is no past. I live this moment as my last. ~ Rent

"He's a tramp, but I love him."

re: A Tale of Two Cities???

Posted: 5/13/09 at 3:59pm

Voters in the fans' choice awards are most likely a very small minority in total audience members for every Broadway show.

"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

re: A Tale of Two Cities???

Posted: 5/13/09 at 6:35pm

I do think that it had its fan base including me. But, there were a majority of people who simply didn't like it and had critics to echo their opinions louder then the fans themselves could.

"If you try to shag my husband while I am still alive, I will shove the art of motorcycle maintenance up your rancid little Cu**. That's a good dear" Tom Stoppard's Rock N Roll

re: A Tale of Two Cities???

Posted: 5/13/09 at 6:49pm

Also, anyone with multiple e-mail accounts can easily vote as many times as they like.

"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."

re: A Tale of Two Cities???

Posted: 5/13/09 at 7:06pm

Tale also was a huge-budget show, and opened at the worst part of the economy in decades & decades. If they had more money to be have been able to push into it to last it through maybe even the holidays, it could have built up a bigger fanbase...but it's tough when the critics say no and no one wants to see a potential flop. Lovely show - I doubt it's the last we'll hear of it.

re: A Tale of Two Cities???

Posted: 5/13/09 at 7:09pm

Producers had money to keep it running into at least January, it was the Al Hirschfeld that kicked them out. Wish it could have caught on, I loved it.

Posted: 5/13/09 at 10:56pm

My avatar is a reminder to myself. I need lots of reminders...

Updated On: 4/3/10 at 10:56 PM

#10

re: A Tale of Two Cities???

Posted: 5/13/09 at 11:01pm

If it just trimmed down the ballads in Act Two - "Little One" should have been cut or the one before it - but I enjoyed it and saw it twice. I thought it was a nice show, and the story, of course, was great! The ending was so brilliantly directed and staged.

#11

re: A Tale of Two Cities???

Posted: 5/14/09 at 2:47am

Again...critics are a double edged sword. This show WAS beautifully staged, acted, and sung. There was so much talent on that stage, and so much hard work went into it from everyone. Besides the fact that, they had a multiple award winning set designer and lighting department. The story was moving and captivating. The music, regardless of opinions, was fantastic...
Tale deserves to have its fans elevate it to where it should have been all along. And I don't think this show's fans are like the Billy Elliot or N2N ones, with multiple e-mail accounts :{

#12

re: A Tale of Two Cities???

Posted: 5/14/09 at 6:05am

Um...they were FANS. By definition FANS love something.

And as others have stated: The Fan choice awards are something done here at BWW. It's not a well known thing like "The People's Choice Awards" Only BWW Boarders (for the most part) know about it.

Personally: I could have voted FIVE times and affected things as well.

They are meaningingless.

If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.

#13

re: A Tale of Two Cities???

Posted: 5/14/09 at 7:52am

All of James Barbour's teenage girl-fans voted en masse.

....but the world goes 'round

#14

re: A Tale of Two Cities???

Posted: 5/14/09 at 7:17pm

From what I heard (and others have as well), it was a "lock and load" show-- they were basically told from the start.. "Ok, this is your theatre for now", but "Hair" WILL be moving in"

So, basically, enjoy the show while it lasts.

And people can think what they want about Barbour, but he really should have received a Tony nom.

Updated On: 5/14/09 at 07:17 PM

#15

re: A Tale of Two Cities???

Posted: 5/14/09 at 9:27pm

Testing, i totally agree. He should have gotten a Tony nom.

<--- the set of A Midsummer Night's Dream that I was assistant stage manager for during the 2007 season at the STNJ outdoor stage.

-Dre- You must remember all the same that at the crux of every game is knowing when it's time to leave the table... And it's important to be artful in your exit. No turning back, you must accept the con is done... It was a ball, it was a blast. And it's a shame it couldn't last. But every chapter has to end, you must agree.
~Dirty Rotten Scoundrels~
There's a special kind of people known as show people. We live in a world full of dreams. Sometimes we're not too certain what's false and what's real. But we're seldom in doubt about what we feel.
~Curtains~
It is a far, far better thing I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest I go to, than I have ever known.
~A Tale of Two Cities ~

#16

re: A Tale of Two Cities???

Posted: 5/14/09 at 10:38pm

"CyCoSpAz2 is correct. There will hopefully be some news soon about the future of the show. At least that is the news i have been hearing."

Same thing I've been hearing - multiple possibilities. Hopefully something happens!

And agreed - Tale/Barbour got robbed, as did some of the scenic elements. I'm not going to lie and say that it deserved a Best Musical nod (even if it was still running) (although Cry-Baby got one!), but surprised it got total shut out. But alas, hopefully, again, something will happen!

#17

re: A Tale of Two Cities???

Posted: 5/14/09 at 11:15pm

Nobody got "robbed" at A TALE.....
Except anyone who paid for a ticket.
It was a mess, maybe a good idea but produced like crap.
If you fire than hire a new Director with some vision,
you have to listen to him.
Barbour and that mean lady should have been replaced with Actors, not posers.
But it was better than CRY-BABY.
Which is saying very little.

#18

re: A Tale of Two Cities???

Posted: 5/15/09 at 7:12pm

<< Nobody got "robbed" at A TALE..... >>

Thats an opinion... just like people thinking that an actor/show got "snubbed" is an opinion. Its totally subjective. I am not surprised that it didnt get a nod for Best Musical, bascially because its already closed, and "out of sight, out of mind" -
( I do think its much better than "Shrek", but just my .02)

However, I do think that Barbour should have received a nom... certainly over Constantine, and I will add that I like "ROA". amd think that Maroulis is very good in the show.

I just dont think you can compare his performance with Barbour's.

#19

re: A Tale of Two Cities???

Posted: 5/15/09 at 7:12pm

huh?

"If you fire than hire a new Director with some vision,
you have to listen to him.
Barbour and that mean lady should have been replaced with Actors, not posers. "

what director (with vision) was fired/hired and not listened to? are you suggesting that any director involved with the project wanted to replace Jim Barbour and "that mean lady" and wasn't permitted to? And praytell, who would you have replaced Jim Barbour with? what kind of crack are you smoking? and can I have some?

#20

re: A Tale of Two Cities???

Posted: 5/16/09 at 6:31pm

"what director (with vision) was fired/hired and not listened to? are you suggesting that any director involved with the project wanted to replace Jim Barbour and "that mean lady" and wasn't permitted to? And praytell, who would you have replaced Jim Barbour with? what kind of crack are you smoking? and can I have some? "

I for one (as a big Tale fan) thought Warren Carlye was a huge disappointment for the show - nothing absolutely stood out in the way it was directed and it was very concrete-esque and boring (and seemed lifted from various sources). I will give you that. Tale's had atleast 3 potential directors over the years, all of whom either left or replaced.

Also: Barbour could have been replaced. He's wildly talented, but considering his "history," among other things -- he could have been replaced. I'm sure his understudy - Rob Richardson (who was great as the Beast in Beauty and the Beast) probably would have been just as great. Also, (not that I know pretty much anything about singing/whatnot) but wasn't Santoriello's singing on a higher key or something than Barbour's? Probably could have gotten anyone to do the role.

Natalie Toro is a fantastic actress -- so not sure where you're getting that from? ... She's received brilliant reviews as Eponine in Les Mis, Eva Peron in EVITA (especially in this role), Grizabella in Cats, Tale's try-out.... many more. Not only that - she won a Sarasota award for the role, whereas Barbour tied. Furthermore, she's been with the project for years & years...? I thought she was probably a major highlight in the show...!

#21

re: A Tale of Two Cities???

Posted: 5/16/09 at 7:17pm

I respect all of your opinions but I still think it was crap.
There was an obvious problem between the original director and the producers/creators leading to his quitting/dismissal.
So they promoted Carlye, and from what I heard (secondhand, and I know Judge Judy wouldn't allow it) They tied his hands on most of his suggestions, and the show looked that way, didn't they leave that horrible graveyard scene in till the last minute?
Toro started her performance at one level and stayed there, I have not seen her in anything else, and don't really want to, and if she is that good why did she waste years and years with this turkey?
I can think of at least 10 other actors who could do what Barbour did and they would act with the other actors not around or in front of them.

#22

re: A Tale of Two Cities???

Posted: 5/16/09 at 7:25pm

The graveyard scene you speak of was cut during previews.

"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".

Updated On: 5/16/09 at 07:25 PM

#23

re: A Tale of Two Cities???

Posted: 5/16/09 at 7:27pm

<< I can think of at least 10 other actors who could do what Barbour did and they would act with the other actors not around or in front of them >>

Can you name 10 with a voice as good? Serious question... Not that many out there. His voice is amazing.

#24

re: A Tale of Two Cities???

Posted: 5/16/09 at 8:05pm

"Toro started her performance at one level and stayed there, I have not seen her in anything else, and don't really want to, and if she is that good why did she waste years and years with this turkey? "

Who knows - maybe if "In the Heights" had come out a decade before she would have starred in that too? She was in Les Mis for years, nd the EVITA 20th Anniversary Tour was supposed to go to Broadway - is that her fault that it didn't? And when you have faith in a production/team/give your commitment, most people don't just back out. (And she does sing probably one of the best songs of the score) Who knows? Maybe she had children? I don't know for fact much about her life actually. Buy her new solo CD. I've only listened to about half of it, but it's excellent.

I don't understand how a lot of people on this board cannot identify people like Natalie Toro or someone like Melissa Errico as great actresses/singers, but have no problem loving these Wicked & 9to5 girls (not accusing you in specific). Not to say they're not talented, but there's so much talent - why diss it on one performance? Did you see the closing show? It very well could have been a very emotional night for her (it had been a decade of work!).

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