A Tale of Two Cities First Preview- Page 2

[StageFan2]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 8:58am

First, I appreciate everyones thoughts - good or bad.

"Could the Hirschfeld be the new cursed theater?! I was shocked when Curtains posted their closing notice there..."

Wouldn't it be nice if we could blame show closings on 'curses' But no, there's no curse at the lovely Hirschfeld.

Curtains closed for the same reason I think A Tale of Two Cities will have a short run; tourists aren't interested. I know, it's a broad statement and I apologize. I adored Curtains and thought it was a wonderful show. I felt the same about Coram Boy and The Seafarer. IMO these were wonderful, beautiful productions, however they didn't last long. The Economy being what it is and with what I deem to be the changing face of Broadway, I just can't see this show having legs.

Please don't mis-understand, I haven't seen A Tale of Two Cities and have no opinion about the show itself. I wish all involved the very best. But the fact remains that no matter how good the show, if you can't sell it to the tourists - it will not play for very long.

Thanks again for posting your thoughts. I love reading your informed opinions.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 9:09am

In the book, movie versions and all other incarnations, Lucie has been a real drip. I can understand a simp like Darney falling for her, but Sydney Carton?

[Grand Motel]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 9:32am

I had a different take and was not going to do any sort of review till they got their feet a bit more wet but then I remembered this show has been kicking around for long enough for all the kinks to have been *more* worked out by now.

I don't feel a need to review the actual story, we here pretty much know how it goes but I did feel it was (sin of all sins) BORING. The cast was fine, Aaron Lazar did what he could with his underwritten role but it's simply not my cup of tea. It's a big period piece that's been done already and better I might add. I don't remember who said they liked the non pop score because it sounded VERY pop ish to me especially "out Of Sight" which I felt was screamed at the audience more than anything. Again, I simply didn't care much about anyone's plight.

Massofmen, I don't think there's anyone mentioning Bean and Bundy with regards to being benchmarks for Broadway "players".

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 10:09am

johnnyg- I actually don't have a problem with WSS or Carousel, because in each case the initial love/lust at first sight is crucial to the downfall of the relationship. The instant attraction and love propels the downward spiral of the story.

Also I don't think anyone would say that Carousel moves at a breakneck pace (and I LOVE Carousel btw!). The characters don't fall in love quickly to speed the plot along. They fall in love quickly because Julie and Billy's relationship is passionate, irriational and ultimately doomed. Plus the bench scene is so well-written we don't need more time to establish what each character wants out of the relationship.

It seems to me the only reason characters fall in love so quickly in A Tale of Two Cities is because they are trying to cover too much ground in too little time. We are told rather than shown that they are in love. Maybe it also had to do with lack of chemistry amongst the leads, but mostly I blame the writing.

In regards to your other question I have not read the book, but was familiar with story before seeing the show. I guess when I said that there were rich characters I meant the story provides for the possibility of richly drawn characters. I just didn't feel like much depth was probed. Everyone, save Sidney, just came off very one note.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 10:21am

I just have absolutely no desire to see this at all. Even if its good. I just.......meh.

[winston89]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 10:37am

I saw the first preview as well. I got a totally different take on it. First off, I loved the show and thought it was amazing. I know that people have kept saying that they hear this score as a washed up Les Miserables. However, I just don't hear it. I find the score to be original and very beautiful. Sorry if my opinions don't match the general consensus on the forum.

I also felt like I was able to feel for the Characters. Yes, the character of Sydney Carton was the most developed. However, I was able to get the impression that Charles and Luci were in love and I was able to get a sense of the drama in it as well.

The audience really seemed to be into it. They were clapping and cheering the second the conductor lifted that baton. And, they were cheering and clapping again when the logo was projected on the scrim. I went out for a smoke at intermission (like I always do) and the general buzz among the audience seemed to be that people were liking it and that the general buzz was more positive then anything else. My prediction is that the show will get mixed reviews but get good word of mouth.

Grand Motel, I don't think Out Of Sight Out Of Mind, is a pop song. I think it has more of a pop feel to it then the rest of the score. If I HAD to compare it with another showtune (Which I loath doing when it comes to this show) I would say it is just as much a pop tune as On My Own from Les Miserables is.

I ended up getting student rush for the show. I got there a little after six for a 7PM curtain. I was located in the first row. Even though I enjoyed siting there, it is not the ideal place to sit for this show. I get the impression, that it is better to sit further back due to the massive sets in this show.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 10:47am

"They were clapping and cheering the second the conductor lifted that baton. And, they were cheering and clapping again when the logo was projected on the scrim."


So they basically had their minds made up that this was the best thing ever from the word go. People like this are destroying the musical.

Updated On: 8/20/08 at 10:47 AM

[winston89]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 10:50am

I wouldn't say that. I would say it was more people were looking forward to it and were very happy that it was starting. I think the good buzz going around at intermission was nothing more then the audience's expectations being met.

[Grand Motel]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 11:01am

Preview audiences are not the best measure for how an actual audience will react and I think we're all aware of that. I agree Winston with your comparison to "On My Own" but I felt the score did have alot of pop influences for what is technically a legit period piece and "Out of Sight" almost felt out of place.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 11:07am

I'm just curious about people thinking that this show does not have a "pop" score. I would totally have to disagree. This is no Jule Styne, Cy Coleman, Jerry Herman, Richard Rogers, Stephen Sondheim or Frank Loesser score.

The reason that people, including myself, are saying it is like Les Mis/Jekyll is because songs like "You'll Never Be Alone," "If Dreams Came True," and "Little One" (and most of the rest of the score for that matter) could easily be put into those musicals and they'd fit right in. Even the titles of songs warn you that they are going to be bland.

The songs are not very character specific or plot driving. Instead, like many pop songs, they are generic musings on love and life. The lyrics are trite and cliched at best. Compare somthing like "My Best Girl" from Mame to "Little One." Although "My Best Girl" is a somewhat simple song, the melody is appropriately tender, and the lyrics enhance our understanding of the characters and their relationship. The same cannot be said for "Little One."

[winston89]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 11:09am

I understand that a majority of preview performances are attended by people who wanted to see the show already. I just get the impression that the people who did go, who wanted to see the show were very happy with what they were seeing. The theatre was full of people who wanted to see the show and enjoyed what it was they were seeing.

Also, I do think it is unfair to the score of two cities or any show to say that it sounds like your listening to another show. I feel that by saying that your not letting the score stand up on its own merits. And, your not letting the score be its own thing.

[Robert Taylor]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 11:15am

Whizzer(etc.), I'm going to jump in here and disagree with your stance on the songs.

I do feel like some of them do have a pop-ish undertone to it, but they way they were performed onstage is utterly Broadway.

And though two or three songs are not plot advancing, the vast majority of the songs from the production ARE. Not every song needs to advance the plot in any given musical, and this is no exception. 80% of the songs DO advance the plot and many, such as "The Trial" and "The Letter" are phenomenally well-done pieces of music that are scenes by themselves.

BTW, you can find my review of the production here: https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=975899&dt=5&boardid=1

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 11:17am

Maybe I missed something last night, but I didn't feel like there was a massive reception last night to the show at all. Maybe I've just been going to [tos] and the belated Passing Strange too much lately, where the audiences were rowdy and vocal, but I don't think so.

I thought there was polite applause throughout, but by no means anything very prolonged. Of course there is going to be applause when the orchestra starts playing at the first preview...it's the first preview!!! Half the audience was probably friends, family and fans. That applause was NOTHING compared to the applause that Larry got when he walked on stage for the first preview of [tos]. I expected a lot more warmth actually, and was surprised no one received it.

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 11:24am

WINSTON - "YOU'RE" NOT "YOUR". STOP USING "YOUR"

also... what merits are the score standing on??? It sounds like a combo of Jekyll and Les Mis. there's a reason for it. because it's true, ya dumbass.

whizzer is right on all accounts about the score. bravo for seeing that, whizzer! or hearing it for that matter.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 11:24am

Robert- I agree with you that not every song in every musical needs to advance the plot, but it should at least advance character development. "I Cain't Say No" doesn't advance the plot, but it definitely advances the character of Ado Annie. The audience learns who she is perfectly in that three minutes, and it's done in a clever and witty way to boot!

There are some nice sequences that advance the plot in Tale of Two Cities (like the The Trial that you mentioned). These sequences are only a small portion of the score though, and it's during all the ballads that the banality of the lyrics really shines through.

[Kev14]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 11:42am

I really hope that producers make the most out of previews to hammer out some of these issues. I think it can be really good if they keep focused on the artistic aspect of the show.

Also, it is going to be pretty difficult to develop all of the characters, there are a ton of them in book!

[dashb10ard]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 11:58am

I was at the show last night. It wasn't a bad show, but certainly not the best thing I've seen.

The first act runs entirely too long. I was quite bored during much of it. I looked down at my Playbill at one point and was relieved to see there was only one more song left in the act. After that song ended and it kept going, I turned the page and saw there were still four more songs left. Oy. The second act was better, but what a long show.

I did really enjoy the sets, the costumes and the lighting. There is lots of talent in the show as well. I absolutely loved James Barbour and Aaron Lazar (although he is not given much to work with). Most of the problems I had were with the book and score. The act 1 finale in particular reminded me way too much of Les Mis. Way too much.

There were also lots of parts in the show where I couldn't even understand what it was they were singing. I even heard people in the bathroom at intermission talking about this.

So, I don't think it was terrible but it could sure use some work. Of course it was the first preview, so I shouldn't be too hard on it, but ... yeah.

[dreamz]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 2:58pm

Somethingwicked they are doing student rush tickets I work there

[philly03]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 3:10pm

"Christianne Noll? That's kind of random"

Many people don't know for some reason that Christiane Noll did the concept album as Lucie. Thus, people are saying that she shoudl just do it again. (I think only Toro has been with the production since the concept album)

And who cares if it's just like Jekyll & HYDE (fan favourite), Les Mis (world favourite) & The Scarlet Pimpernel (producer favourite).....maybe by combining all three, it'll be a big hit!? Probably not, but maybe!

[theatregirl2]

Posted: 8/21/08 at 2:07pm

..and don't forget that Brandi played Emma in a different version of J&H, so I know they were really wanting that similar image/sound... Jenny Powers was in a workshop of ToTC before the Sarasota production, so that's not far off the mark either. I think Jessica was offered Gypsy before ToTC producers were even offered a theatre, so not sure if she was even available to be considered. Elena Shaddow was originally set to star in the Sarasota premier, but found out she was with child, so had to pull out... wonder if she's still interested?!