A Tale of Two Cities will play Al Hirschfeld Theater- Page 3

[Eris0303]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 6:29am

I was just reading the listing on actorsequity.org and have to wonder if they're asking the leads from Florida to reaudition and that's why they've listed all the roles. I simply cannot see them recasting Natalie Toro. She IS Mdm Defarge. I cannot think of another talent in the Broadway community who could play the role as well as she did. With all of the talk of Barbour her tremendous performance seems to have been lost in the shuffle. I truly hope she gets to move to Broadway with the show.

[MCfan2]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 8:25am

"Another gothic musical based on a Victorian novel on Broadway."

"A Tale of Two Cities" is anything but gothic.

[bwaygal1]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 10:18am

For the record, Les Mis is depicting the 1830 uprising. It's a good 40 years after the French Revolution.

And I hope Tale of Two Cities is successful-best of luck!

[broadwayjim42]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 11:28am

Maybe Allison Janney can go all "Devil Child...Devil Child" on James and sprinkle him with holy water.

I saw him in "Urinetown" and was very impressed, but what he did (or was accused of) is very skeevy. I do think it faces an uphill promotional battle.

[Junie]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 11:41am

I hope "Tale of Two Cities" is a huge success. Dickens is so theatrical. Every character is stage-worthy. I look forward to seeing this one when I get the opportunity.

[ElphabaRose]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 2:02pm

Can Barbour even do the show? According to the pictures posted in the BWW announcement, there were a couple of children in the cast (at least in the Florida run). I seem to recall something in one of the threads on his sentencing that he was not allowed to do shows with children in the cast or aimed towards children. (I searched, the article on Yahoo no longer exists.)

[StageFan2]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 2:13pm

I couldn't agree more that Dickens is stageworthy. I'm not sure about a musical, though I'm trying hard not to pass judgement. My initial reaction was that this wouldn't work. Perhaps it reflects my preference for the translation of literary work to stage be in straight play form as opposed to musical.

That said, I would love to see this show work, but the Pirate Queen fiasco keeps running through my head. Big build up for a big beautiful production, and then a big let down. Am I comparing apples and oranges? Your thoughts would be appreciated.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 2:31pm

I think you are comparing apples and oranges. But like my mom would say "it's all fruit".

I'm going to start off by saying that I didn't hate PQ. I tend to find something to like in everything I see. Not that I didn't see PQ's faults. I just didn't hate it.

I've seen both Pirate Queen and Tale of Two Cities so I'll do my best to show why I believe ToTC isn't the fiasco that PQ was.

Pirate Queen was a story that only a small demographic was familiar with. Heck, I'm very into my Irish heritage and I only barely knew of Grace O'Malley. Tale of Two Cities is a piece of classic literature that most people have at least heard of and can quote. It's a name that people already know and the familiarity could draw an audience. There's one difference right there.

I also think more people can connect with the story behind ToTC. Sacrificing everything for love. That's an element PQ had but didn't have the same impact as ToTC.

The Florida cast of ToTC could totally wipe the floor with the cast of PQ. With the exception of the two female leads I felt the Pirate Queen cast was more or less forgettable. There were some absolutely amazing performances in ToTC and I really hope we see many of the same faces in the New York production. The only exception for me was Jessica Rush. She just left me kinda cold. Everyone else was spot on. I know much of the ensemble probably won't be joining the NY cast - many of them are college students in Florida. But the leads were great.

There were times when PQ seemed unable to hold my attention and my mind would start to wander. ToTC captivated me from start to finish. I was never bored and never once thought about what was happening outside the theatre.

So, that's why I think Tale of Two Cities won't be another Pirate Queen. I'm sure there are others who have seen both shows who could add other things.

[MaronaDavies]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 2:38pm

Can Barbour even do the show? According to the pictures posted in the BWW announcement, there were a couple of children in the cast (at least in the Florida run). I seem to recall something in one of the threads on his sentencing that he was not allowed to do shows with children in the cast or aimed towards children. (I searched, the article on Yahoo no longer exists.)

He can if his parole officer agrees to it, according to this article from the NYT:

...And he has to get permission from the court or his probation officer to participate in shows employing child actors or to give backstage tours to children.

The agreement also states that he has to inform any production he's cast in about his case. I hope he's still not in ATTC. If he is, though, I hope to God the chaperone and parents take this seriously and keep the little girls in the cast away from him.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/04/nyregion/04actor.html

[bare_nakedlady]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 2:40pm

Well, my mother and I may be the only two people who enjoyed this show out of town, but I am ecstatic about seeing it on Broadway. Yes, it needs a little work still, but I hope the broadway community will go see it before they start the judging. I know it's hard nowadays with online video, blogs, message boards, etc... but give it a chance. The designers are fantastic and Tony Walton's set is gorgeous. Hopefully they get the right actors and can woo an audience. Best of luck to the whole production.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 2:42pm

If it were me, I'd recast him rather than go through all that trouble and have the families of the kids be worried.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 2:50pm

"Well, my mother and I may be the only two people who enjoyed this show out of town"

Based on this board alone pretty much everyone who saw it out of town enjoyed it. I loved it and there were other positive reviews from BWW members. Most of the naysayers haven't seen the show.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 3:13pm

I don't think the problem with Pirate Queen was the story or the subject, but the execution and writing of the show itself.

[MCfan2]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 3:38pm

I have a recording of one version of this (the concept recording? I'm not sure what it would be called. It stars Alex Santoriello). I really like it. Aside from a few weak spots, I think it's a terrific adaptation -- and "AToTC" is my favorite novel, so it's not like I was going to be easily pleased!

I just really, really hope they recast for Carton. If they do, I'll be making my way to New York to see this. I'm sure Barbour's a good actor and all, and it's not like I want to sit in judgment on every actor's private life, but . . . I just don't feel too great about this guy.

And if they kept the song where Carton sings to little Lucie, that could feel REALLY icky.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 5:11pm

This is the first recent mention of any casting:

"Many of the Florida cast members are expected to be invited back, although no casting has been announced."

Tale of Two Cities, the Musical, to Open on Broadway in September

[Elphaba]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 5:32pm

FINALLY! Guess my Fall trip is in October!

[Poppy]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 6:26pm

"child molester"

Oh, come on! She wanted it or else she wouldn't have gone to his apartment for more. He was a fool...it seems the world is full of fools today. if you read the newspapers. I loved NY Magazine's recent cover...the case of the misplaced brain.

Hopefully, they will go with James and Natalie Toro and a few others who did the reading and worked in the show in Florida.

[Tkt2Ride]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 6:49pm

Two fools? No Adults? Great Combination for a non-relationship. If she got what she wanted, there wouldn't have been a lawsuit, would there be?

No one is above the Law. Just ask Spitzer!

[Broadwayj1]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 6:51pm

WOW! This is great news. A non mainstream movie! YES!

[susanlynn]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 6:59pm

I dont understand why a 16 year old is being called a child.

[InThePark]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 7:32pm

Is it Natalie Toro on the concept recording?

[Tkt2Ride]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 7:38pm

She was 15 years old. It's the law. If you don't know this, than I would learn it real quick.

[whatever2]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 7:41pm

the articles i read said she was 15 at the time of the incident ... that's a big year's difference, especially when a very handsome man in a position of (real or perceived) power is involved.

"she wanted it"???

OMG!!!! have you ever been to the mall with an actual 15 year old??? they dont even know what they want in the accessories department!!!

that is one depraved rationale, sorry.

im a pretty progressive individual, and i think that overall our society gets stupid when it comes to these issues (cue mrs. rev. lovejoy screaming "will somebody think of the children?????"), but those were a couple of very dangerous posts, imho.

[madophelia]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 8:09pm

Songs/lyrics online here:
A Tale of Two Cities

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 8:17pm

"Is it Natalie Toro on the concept recording?"

Yes, but this is one of those performances you have to see live. The CD pales in comparison.

Also per the BWW Article.
"An official press release today, received at 3:57 PM, named Warren Carlyle as director and choreographer for the Broadway production (we have since learned, that this is pending completion of a negotiation)."

https://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=26363

Updated On: 4/19/08 at 08:17 PM