A Tale of Two Cities will play Al Hirschfeld Theater- Page 4

[Juliash]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 8:28pm

"Oh, wait, my bad, wrong musical based on a classic French novel"

Tale of Two Cities is technically and English novel. It's just about France.

Nonetheless...I feel you. And save that remark for Marguerite!!!!!

[StageFan2]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 7:43am

Thank you for your thoughts Eris, I appreciate it greatly. I still have my doubts as to whether it will work as a musical, but I suppose when I see I'll find out. In the meantime, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

I want to clarify my comment on Pirate Queen - I didn't dislike it so much as I was disappointed by the writing of the story. The choreography didn't work for me, it seemed so random, sort of - when all else fails - dance. Nothing about the production had flow. I found my mind wandering and my eyes looking at my watch. On the other hand; I loved the sets, costuming, and lighting. All were grand and beautiful. Incidently, these are three elements I'm very much looking forward to seeing in Tale of Two Cities.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 9:14am

StageFan, the sets in Tale are great. They're large and minamalistic at the same time.

The wooden frame is on stage nearly for the whole show but it moves and they add/take away pieces. I felt it was used very effectively. The cast itself often pushes it around but it never once took away from the show. There have been times when I've seen that done and had it be jarring. But here it works.

I don't know how much different it'll be once it opens in NYC but they were great in Florida.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 10:22am

I'm hesitant to read too much into this, especially since it's still in the moving process. Pre opening opinions always make me laugh.

I do know that Jill & Alex Santoriello have put a ton of work, hopes and dream into this. I knew Alex waaay back and he talked about his sister's amazing project years ago. It's a solid story but the outcome of this being a successful Broadway
stage production remains to be seen.

Personally... I think keeping Barbour in the show will give them a lot of press...good and bad ..but he should not be the focal point of this project. Given his history of latest events, I'd replace him as fast as a dirty water filter, for the sake of the show having the best chance to survive on its own merit. I'm sure there are a handful of wonderful leading men with less baggage to fill the role. I lost respect for Barbour over this incident...and I'm quite sure I'm not alone.

Updated On: 3/26/08 at 10:22 AM

[whatever2]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 10:47am

PB: i hope you have passed your sage advice re: replacing barbour onto your friends. there was a whole separate thread on this issue that the mods appear to have deleted for some reason. (i think we can all infer why, but i don't recall any posts that crossed a line.) i think it would have given them great pause ...

i wish it weren't the case, but this would be a guaranteed PR nightmare ... one poster in particular pointed out the impact barbour's involvement in the project would have on school groups. people are irrational on this issue -- there's is no chances of discernment or "shades of grey".

no ill will against a talented actor (loved him in jane eyre), but his participation will generate only bad mainstream press for the show -- and a lot of it.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 11:45am

The thread started out as an announcement about the opening of the show. I shared my thoughts on this. The Barbour aspect of this will be a glaring topic for weeks to come.

The fact that I lost respect for Barbour has little impact on anything and not a big deal to anyone. Everyone, including you whatever2, ae sharing your view on this. It's a theater chat board.

I hope the show has a chance to shine regardless of the casting.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 12:51am

Did anyone get to hear last week's Broadway Bullet with the show's producers? It was an interesting interview where they mostly discussed raising money, how they came to be attached, etc. They played two songs from the show and a Nelson Eddy/Jennette McDonald song that they, themselves, recorded. No word on casting but they did name Warren Carlyle as director. If you haven't heard it but are interested in the show I suggest checking it out.

To get to the interview roll your cursor over the screen and click on "More Shows". After that click on "Broadway Bullet - Mp3 Version." It, currently, is the first one - #206


Broadway Bullet 206: Tale of Two Cities, Triumph of Love...

Updated On: 4/25/08 at 12:51 AM

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 1:00am

Barbour is still attached, as are some others from the Florida production. They are currently in the midst of casting open roles.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 1:07am

"Barbour is still attached, as are some others from the Florida production. They are currently in the midst of casting open roles."

I'm a little disappointed to see that Barbour is still attached. I'm wondering if he got permission to do the show.

Also, I know most of the ensemble was made up of Asolo students so that needs to be addressed in NYC but I wonder which other roles are still "open".

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 1:10am

Eris, either our minds are operating on the exact same wavelength or you saw my updates to the blog and Facebook. Wouldn't surprise me if it was the former.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 1:12am

Well, I don't have Facebook and I, actually, haven't checked your page in a few days.

Looks like we had a "mind-meld"

[MCfan2]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 11:04am

I'm very sorry to hear that Barbour is still attached. Like PB ENT., I have no respect left for him.

[Zeitoujo]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 11:09am

what are the best seats in thiis theater?

[Eris0303]

Posted: 4/25/08 at 5:57pm

This is something we've talked about before but it's finally been "officially announced". Warren Carlyle is the director of Tale.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=27212

https://www.playbill.com/news/article/117078.html

https://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=564218

[Eris0303]

Posted: 5/5/08 at 11:38pm

I stumbled upon this article while looking for something else. Yes, it's about Wesley Snipes and doesn't have much to do with Broadway but there is a very short blurb about James Barbour. This is a Chicago publication. So the idea that "no one outside of NYC" knew about this isn't true.

http://www.southtownstar.com/lifestyles/928407,050408videosixpack.article

"James Barbour, the Beast in the Broadway production of "Beauty and the Beast," was sentenced in February to 60 days for having sex with a minor."

Something else I found:

http://icicaille.livejournal.com/33093.html

"I just heard that Aaron Lazar pulled out of the Hollywood LM (unfortunate), but is going to be in Broadway's A Tale of Two Cities (fortunate!). Here's to hoping he's cast as Carton. I do love James Barbour in the role, however.."

Yes, I know it's just a blog but it's an interesting idea. Thoughts on this?

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 5/6/08 at 12:01am

When I read about Lazar joining the cast on Playbill.com my guess was that he's going to be Darnay, although if Barbour's still attached that wouldn't really make any sense since they don't look alike. The guy that did Darnay in Florida (some American Idol person if I remember correctly) looked a lot like Barbour so I don't see why they wouldn't keep him. In any case, I don't see Lazar as Carton at all. He has a really nice voice but he's way too clean and innocent-looking for it.
Updated On: 5/6/08 at 12:01 AM

[Eris0303]

Posted: 5/6/08 at 12:04am

Derek Keeling was one of the finalists on Grease: You're the One That I Want but you were close lol

Edit:

Here's the article The Distinctive Baritone is referencing. I hadn't seen it before so thanks for that.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/117423.html

Updated On: 5/6/08 at 12:04 AM

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 5/6/08 at 2:15am

Oh, he must have been "Child-Molesting Danny." Wait...he looks so much like James Barbour I'm getting them confused...

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 5/6/08 at 2:37am

I'll be interested to see what role Lazar ends up in. Hopefully there will be an official casting announcement soon.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 5/6/08 at 3:02am

"Hopefully there will be an official casting announcement soon."

I would think so. If they're allowing playbill to print that much they must be nearly ready to announce. Or..if they didn't give playbill permission to print that and they did it anyway then they'll have to show their hand before long.

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 3:23am

Wow...this is really strong news! Hope Barbour will remain in the role. With due respect to PB ENT's opinion and others, I think Barbour has paid his price, and now it's time to leave this alone. He deserves to be in this work as much as anybody else who has labored with it, purely out of love for the work, some for 8 years, he for about 4 or 5, I think. Perhaps you have some "personal" reasons of your own, and that is fine. I found the whole thing a little rigged (as expected)towards the "victim", and a lot of things were quite shady in this case. And I read she was short of a couple of months for her 16th birthday (perhaps why she told him she was 16, not 15, at first). Also, I agree that a 15 year old is not exactly a "child". Barbour admitted to charges of endagerment of a minor
NOT of a "child molester" (which brings images of an 8 or 10 year old), and I would advise some in these posters to refrain from using the term, as it might incite a libel suit. If it was my reputation, I would not hesitate to do what I needed to clear my name. IMO

[Eris0303]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 3:33am

Let's not start this again. It's done...he's been in jail. No more pointing at the victim. Let's just leave her alone and talk about the show.

Updated On: 5/7/08 at 03:33 AM

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 3:43am

Sorry! Just was answearing back to the other posters, but you are right: It should be dropped! I think is fine to say I still hope Barbour remains in the role, though.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 3:49am

I hope I didn't seem harsh but so many people have trounced upon her on the board and, in my opinion, it's not necessary. The case is over and she's pleased with the results. What she said or what she did back then doesn't matter now. It's time to move past and let her be. If people want to turn their backs on Barbour because of this then that's their decision. But dragging the victim through the mud on the board does no good and has nothing to do with the show.

And I agree it's perfectly fine to say you want to see Barbour in this role. He was wonderful in it and I wish circumstances were different. I just have my concerns that the producers, cast, and crew will pay the price for Barbour's actions. There are enough victims here. We don't need more.

That being said let's keep discussing any casting rumors that are popping up or anything else to do with the show itself. :)

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 5:23am

Ok, well I HOPE Natalie Toro stays on as Madame DeFarge! I like Jessica Rush's voice, and I think she seemed to do a good job with the part. Maybe in Broadway she will shine, if she is cast again.
Lazar would be a great counterpart to Barbour's Sidney (and an exciting one! I am ecstatic about this casting!). Derek just was not tall enough to hack it, although he had more of a resemblance. Also, Lazar is far a superior talent and would add enormously to Tale, take it to a higher level than Derek would be able to....a VERY smart move from casting!! Now I want even MORE to see Tale in Broadway!!!