A Tale of Two Cities- 11/2 Review

[purpleprince101]

Posted: 11/2/08 at 8:51pm

I'm god-awful at writing reviews, but here I go.....


After reading many bad reviews for this production, I walked in unexcited and uninterested. But let me say, I left wanting to see it again. It was a truly amazing show. I got my tickets for $32 plus surcharges through tdf, and it was worth every penny. I had great seats in the orchestra and it seemed very full. I did not see how many people were in the mezzanine, But it seemed full when I was using the mens room upstairs.

Standouts:

James Barbour- WOW! He was amazing. And his voice is simply stunning. Expect a Tony nomination come May.

Natalie Toro-another stand out. Had one of the best songs in the show (Out of sight, Out of Mind), in my opinion. I wanted to see more of her in he show, though.

Brandi Burkhart- very young, but has the voice of an angel. I cannot believe that this is only her Broadway debut! I'm hoping to see her in new things in the future.

However, I did have a couple of complaints. I found the score to be a little repetitive and the lyrics were pretty bad if you ask me. Out of Sight Out Of Mind, as I stated above, was the standout of the score.


Overall I enjoyed A Tale Of Two Cities and would recommend it to anyone. I found it to be confusing at many points, since I have never read the novel or any Dickens book for that matter. 9.5/10



edit: Because so many people are bugging out over my 9.5/10 rating with my opinions on the score, I would like to explain. Although I found the score to be quite repetitive, I still enjoyed the score and found it to be beautiful. And maybe if I did not walk in with such negativity toward the show, I would have had a lower grade. I was thoroughly impressed and Im regretting my pre-show thoughts. Deal with my rating.




Updated On: 11/3/08 at 08:51 PM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 11/2/08 at 8:56pm

How can a show with a repetitive score, bad lyrics, and that was hard to follow at times still get a 9.5 out of 10?

[shobiz]

Posted: 11/2/08 at 8:57pm

I applaud your bravery of posting here, considering your "signature" at the bottom of your post! And I always appreciate honest reviews - I'm not crazy about sugar-coating or fans of the actor who write posts like they're writing fan letters.

[little_sally]

Posted: 11/2/08 at 8:58pm

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! It's so nice to hear when people liked it, especially when they figured they'd hate it.

[purpleprince101]

Posted: 11/2/08 at 9:01pm

I see what your saying Adamgreer, but I found that there were many amazing aspects that overshadowed the flaws i stated.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 11/2/08 at 9:11pm

Glad you enjoyed it !!! Agree that Barbour and Toro are excellent.

<< How can a show with a repetitive score, bad lyrics, and that was hard to follow at times still get a 9.5 out of 10? >>

Maybe the those aspects that were not liked only accounted for .5 of the overall grade? Just guessing.....

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 11/2/08 at 9:14pm

I love this show and haven't seen it since September 1st...I need to go back soon...the show is excellent.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 11/2/08 at 9:18pm

Agree, Wat !! I have suggested this show to so many people that I work with, and they all wanted to go back !!!

We have been going every Tues for weeks now.... sort of a guilty pleasure !

I can listed to Barbour sing "I Can't Recall" for hours !!!

[winston89]

Posted: 11/2/08 at 9:49pm

I will admit, that when I first saw the show, I had trouble following along. However, I was enjoying myself so much, that I didn't want it to end. I think that that is a sign of a good show. When your enjoying yourself so much, to the point that you don't want the show to end.

Despite me having trouble following along the first time around, I did make a return trip and I had just as much fun that time as I did before, and I understood more the second time around.

[philly03]

Posted: 11/2/08 at 10:01pm

"Brandi Burkhart- very young, but has the voice of an angel. I cannot believe that this is only her Broadway debut! I'm hoping to see her in new things in the future. "

Brandi is awesome, but don't worry you'll hopefully see her a lot if Frank Wildhorn (the Frank she mentions in her playbill bio) can get some of his shows up and running over this side of the Atlantic, other than Germany.

Glad to see you enjoyed it, as did I.

[CyCoSpAz2]

Posted: 11/2/08 at 10:07pm

Thanks for the review, glad you enjoyed the show! I agree with you that "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" is the best song in the show. Barbour has some good ones, but I could listen to Natalie Toro sing Out of Sight all day.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/2/08 at 10:15pm

Watch out as you will now be labeled a shill for liking ATOTC.

Enjoyed it also.

[Liza + Jesus = Patti]

Posted: 11/2/08 at 10:25pm

<< How can a show with a repetitive score, bad lyrics, and that was hard to follow at times still get a 9.5 out of 10? >>

Maybe the those aspects that were not liked only accounted for .5 of the overall grade? Just guessing..... --- Testing


how does the score, lyrics, and plot account for .5 of the "overall grade" ?

Did you ever attend school?

[Eris0303]

Posted: 11/3/08 at 12:34am

I'm just going to piggyback onto this thread rather than starting another one.

I saw the show Friday night (10/31). I sat in the orchestra below the mezzanine so I couldn't see how full it was up there. There were some empty seats but not a large amount. But I guess that's to be expect on Halloween night. I doubt too many shows had packed houses that night.

Before I talk about the show I just want to note that I'd never been in the city on Halloween and it was pretty interesting to see people on the train and in the streets in various costumes...including one woman whose costume consisted of panties and little stars on her nipples. There were a lot of little kids treat-or-treating at Penn Station and along 8th Avenue.

Anyway, I'd seen the show in Florida and had enjoyed it. And I enjoyed it for a second time. I'm still not overly fond of the name of the show being projected on the scrim but what can you do?

I'd like to note that each playbill had a "coupon" to come back and see the show again for $79 inside of it. Once woman near me remarked that she didn't understand why someone would see a show more than once. I explained to her that I'd heard the show was getting a lot of repeat business and that people often will see a show more than once because when the cast changes the whole show changes. It's hard to see the EXACT show more than once simply because of the magic of live theatre. When the show was over the same woman remarked that she understood why people were coming back to see TOTC.

Previously, I had gotten my hand slapped for not liking Jessica Rush in the role of Lucie. Well, I think they found a wonderful replacement for her. Brandi's looks remind me of a porcelain doll but her depth not porcelain at all. I enjoyed her portrayal of Lucie very much and, for me, it connected to how she was described in the book.

I enjoyed Aaron Lazar as Charles as well (I know how shocked you must be lol) as well as all of the other new cast members.

Natalie Toro had been a standout for me in the Florida production and I have, previously, stated I would not be shocked if she got a Tony nod. Not predicting a win - just that I think she has a very good chance to be nominated. Her performance is even stronger than it was in Florida. Her Therese is a force to be reckoned with. "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" got applause and even a few hoots and hollers when she was done.

And James Barbour is captivating as Carton. I heard many people around me muttering about how much they enjoyed his performance and his voice. One woman even described his voice as "pure velvet".

The audience was not on it's feet as soon as the show ended. I was actually the first person up and that wasn't even until Natalie took her bow. I felt her performance that night truly deserved it. A few other people stood after I did but once James came out the rest of the audience rose to its feet to cheer for him.

I, too, recommend this show. I enjoyed it as did everyone around me. It's not a "perfect" show but how many shows are truly flawless? It provided entertainment to the audience for 2+ hours and everyone I spoke to went home feeling that their money had been well spent and would be recommending it to others.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 11/3/08 at 6:56am

<< how does the score, lyrics, and plot account for .5 of the "overall grade" ?

Did you ever attend school? >> Wow... talk about your totally uncalled for comments !!

It was said "tongue-in-cheek"- you ever get your butt kicked in school for being a moron?
Updated On: 11/3/08 at 06:56 AM

[maddiem]

Posted: 11/3/08 at 11:21am

I'm so glad to hear so many people loving this show! It certainly deserves the praise.. I am going back in December and I can't wait!

[esparza 333]

Posted: 11/3/08 at 3:14pm

I am yet to see the show but really enjoyed the cast recording with beautiful melodies. I love the design of the show from what I have seen in pictures. This show is gradually getting a fan base and I hope that can carry it at least until tony time but with the economic crisis you never know. I am planning to buy tickets soon.

[KATHYnyc]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 12:43am

I loved it. So sad to close. Barbour and cast is just plain spectacular.


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