A Tale of Two Cities will play Al Hirschfeld Theater- Page 6

[massofmen]

Posted: 6/21/08 at 10:56pm

everyone huh?
have you read the story? Its a boring one. Boring old Dickensonian love story that has no real conflict. Dickens is a boring writer with way too much detail and not enough plot in my opinion.

Hugo was a much better story teller but Dumas was the best.
When oh when will someone write the count of monte cristo into a musical. Now that is one of the best novels ever written.

others cast in Tale of two cities:
Gregg Edeleman as Dr. Manette.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 12:25am

Really? Jill's own brother didn't even make the cut?

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 12:34am

massofmen: I highly disagree about Dumas being a better writer than Hugo.

[massofmen]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 12:46am

ok.
are you going to offer any reasons why to back up your statement, or you are saying it blankly.
which books by hugo have you read and which my dumas?
by dumas I have read the man in the iron mask, 3 muskateers and The count of monte cristo (which in my opinion is the greatest novel ever written).
by hugo i have read les mis, hunchback and the man who laughs or L'Homme Qui Rit.

dickens is worse then both of these men by far, and a musical out of his novels shud never happen. but i digress.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 12:58am

A musical based on a Dickens novel should and will happen. While I don't think Dickens is the greatest thing since sliced bread this is a great show. It comes alive in a way Dickens could have never imagined or hoped for.

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 1:04am

Nice to see appreciation for Count of Monte Cristo! Someone mentioned that they had tried it in the West Coast, and, it did not come across very well...I wonder, though. Not only is the story great, but it should make for a great musical as well, considering you have great composers and arrangers, of course (but this is true of ANY musical). The story should take care of itself, once the musical score is written.

But, I have to disagree that "A Tale Of Two Cities" is an "old boring Dickensonian love story". As an avid reader, granted, Dickens is complicated to read. But just because one has trouble reading it, does not mean it's boring.
The story is, no doubt, compelling, and has one of the best endings ever written, I feel (I'm sure there will be differing points out there), with plenty of conflict (I'm not sure why you don't see the conflict throughout the story).
It is not just my opinion--A Tale of Two Cities is probably the most sold book all over the world, and it is used in most schools in the US as required reading.
Updated On: 6/22/08 at 01:04 AM

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 1:25am

BTW...how do some of you know "who" is cast...? I find it unethical for people involved in the show to disclose this info, prior to the casting/producing team publishing it.
I hope whoever said Natalie was not cast, is wrong. And I've heard Dr. Mannette was played to perfection by Alex, so I hope he's in it, too.
I wish we could just wait until the casting comes out. Speculating just brings about all sorts of reactions which could be totally off base, once the facts come out (in other words, suffer for nothing) :[

[Roscoe]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 9:27am

Massofmen, if there is a problem with Dickens' work, it is that there is often simply TOO MUCH conflict, all those interweaving plots.

That said, I'm not a big fan of TALE OF TWO CITIES. I much prefer DAVID COPPERFIELD and BLEAK HOUSE and OUR MUTUAL FRIEND. I do share your admiration of COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO, but can't agree that it is anywhere near "the greatest novel ever written."

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 11:59am

massofmen: I have read Les Mis and Notre Dame by Hugo, and The Count of Monte Cristo by Dumas.

I'm sorry, but I think that The Count of Monte Cristo is an overglorified adventure novel. It's highly unbelievable and relies too much on plot devices and convolutions. It was like reading a Scarlet Pimpernel novel that took itself too seriously.

IMO, it can't even hold a candle to a masterpiece like Les Mis.

Updated On: 6/22/08 at 11:59 AM

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 12:12pm

Dickens a boring writer whose works should never be made into musicals? Did you ever hear of Oliver!?

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 12:12pm

Dickens a boring writer whose works should never be made into musicals? Did you ever hear of Oliver!?

[Eris0303]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 3:06pm

I hope I'm wrong about Ms Toro as well because she was wonderful in the show. But it was posted on this very board that another actress had the role.

Unethical? Nah, I don't think so.

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 4:14pm

There's been a lot of comparison of the show to "Les Mis", but in what little exposure I've had to the show, I think it look and sounds a LOT MORE like a Frank Wildhorn show, like "Jekyll and Hyde", or especially "The Scarlet Pimpernel". and we all know how THOSE did in New York.

and with the baggage the lead may or may not be carrying, this sounds like a set up for a very expensive flop.

[madame_no]

Posted: 6/23/08 at 2:07am

If it flops, I really hope it flops because of the show itself and not because of James Barbour's indiscretions. I'm not saying what he did was right, but it has no connection to the show whatsoever. Did anyone boycott The West Wing because at one point in his life Rob Lowe had a videotape of himself having sex with not one but 2 sixteen year old girls? No. People make mistakes and frankly, James Barbour's have no affect on whether or not he is a capable actor. Isn't the whole point of acting to watch actors put themselves aside and become their characters? If the show sucks, then let it flop for that reason, not because of a cast member's personal life.

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 6/23/08 at 2:22am

madame_no...you are very correct in your observations. Acting IS becoming someone else, it is not showcasing a person him/herself personally. So, yes, his private mistakes have nothing to do with this show, at all (this said...it has been my point all along).
And, yes, I find the all of a sudden "boycotting" ideas and negative wave given this show because of its lead, a bit hypocritical, considering everything else that has been allowed for EVEN a President :{

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 6/23/08 at 2:35am

BTW, I find it so strange (and a bad move on her part), for Natalie not to reprise her role as Madame DeFarge. This is a role she interpreted so well, and shone brilliantly in, so...why jump out the cart when it is now on Broadway? Unless she has another bigger and better opportunity (honestly, I don't know how that would be).
Faith in a show's success is part of an actor's conscience. Otherwise, why even undertake it. Then, again, since I don't know the facts, I will stop here.
But if true, there goes a perfectly fine Tony nomination =[

[Kev14]

Posted: 6/24/08 at 5:13pm

I am very excited about this musical. A Tale of Two Cities is Dickens' finest work and is one of the best peices of literature ever written. Also I listened to the free demos on their website and the music has potential.

I am by no means saying this show is a sure thing, but with enough heart this show could be awesome. I can't wait to see what happens

[Eagleman]

Posted: 6/24/08 at 5:27pm

This show is going to have to be something very special to overcome the obvious.
I'm guessing it's not sung-through so that should give it some wiggle room from Les Miserables but the song that ends Act 1 as originally conceived was so much like
"One Day More" I thought I was listening to "Forbidden Broadway".

I hope this team is riding in on something more than a wing and a prayer.

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 6/24/08 at 7:54pm

Eagleman...I've never been fortunate enough to catch "Les Miserables", so I cannot compare. But, is there anything wrong with a show being compared to one of the most popular (and profitable) musicals ever...?

BTW...riding on a prayer could be the BEST thing a show could hope for, and I am sure there are many praying for its success, inspite. Tale has already proven itself outside of Broadway, though. It is just a shame that so many are trying to bring something that has NOTHING to do with the show, into the arena, some just for controversy. I'm really SO over those people, really ={

[Eris0303]

Posted: 6/24/08 at 7:59pm

"BTW, I find it so strange (and a bad move on her part), for Natalie not to reprise her role as Madame DeFarge. This is a role she interpreted so well, and shone brilliantly in, so...why jump out the cart when it is now on Broadway? Unless she has another bigger and better opportunity (honestly, I don't know how that would be).
Faith in a show's success is part of an actor's conscience. Otherwise, why even undertake it. Then, again, since I don't know the facts, I will stop here.
But if true, there goes a perfectly fine Tony nomination =["

Are you sure she was even OFFERED the part? Maybe the producers simply decided to pass her over in order to cast a "name"?

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 6/24/08 at 8:07pm

Eris...well, wow, I hope THAT was not the case. Again, I hate to critize the producers in any way, since I really do not know the real facts, or what decisions they have made. Perhaps I should not have made the statement about Natalie, either. Sometimes we all get carried away a little on our comments. I try not to, but I have not yet reached perfection =I
I was just thinking that perhaps she was like other of the actors that might have shone away from possible (note I said "posssible") controversy, due to publicists' apprehentions...

[Eris0303]

Posted: 6/24/08 at 8:13pm

It was posted on this board that Loretta Swit has the Of Mme Defarge. It could be that Natalie decided to walk away from the show because of the troubles brewing. Or it could be the producers opted to go with a "name" that might put people in the seats in spite of the controversy. Or maybe it's something else entirely. There's really no way to know. This is something that happens all the time though. The workshop or out-of-town cast is not always the same as the Broadway cast. Things happen.

I do believe that Ms. Toro would have had a Tony nomination if not the award itself for her performance in this show. She was absolutely top notch in Florida

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 6/24/08 at 8:32pm

"I do believe that Ms. Toro would have had a Tony nomination if not the award itself for her performance in this show. She was absolutely top notch in Florida"

Eris...I know...and, that is the sad part... :I

[Eris0303]

Posted: 6/24/08 at 8:39pm

As far as I know at this very moment the only member of the Florida cast returning for the Broadway production is Barbour. According to a post here the writer's own brother isn't going to be in the show. Which is sad because he was very good.

If I'm not mistaken it's a rarity for a show to be recast this much between an out of town tryout and a Broadway opening. Especially since so many members of the cast performed their roles beautifully.

"I was just thinking that perhaps she was like other of the actors that might have shone away from possible (note I said "posssible") controversy, due to publicists' apprehentions... "

I meant to comment on this before but while I was typing it slipped my mind. Have you heard for a fact that this has happened?

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 6/24/08 at 8:50pm

"Have you heard for a fact that this has happened?"
Not exactly, but I have read insinuations about it. I know, I'm the first to shun 'speculation', but in this case, it could be very real.
Have you heard for a fact that Barbour is in it (and are your sources reliable?)