Saw Tale of Two Cities Today

[marlomanners]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 5:27pm

It was very good but needs some work. The first act needs to be tightened. I also thought it needed a stronger opening to draw the audience into the story.

It really comes to life when James Barbour comes in, about halfway through Act 1. He owns this show. He gave me chills and had me tearing up more than once. Natalie Toro is also great. "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" was pretty amazing. Derek Keeling is okay but can't hold a candle to Barbour.

The second act is tighter than the first and moves more quickly. Direction and staging overall are good. The score starts off pretty unmemorably, but strenthens as the show goes on. Overall, I liked it and will probably go back in a few weeks. Not to sound like a broken record, but I can't wait to hear James Barbour's voice again...time to put on my Jane Eyre CD.

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 8:42pm

I don't know how large his part is or anything, but what did you think of Tim Hartman? He's a local actor who I grew up idolizing.

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 10:22pm

BTW I just saw that both opening nights are officially up on the Asolo ticketing site and there are a lot of balcony seats left starting at $55. If you are interested you should call the box office [800-361-8388] or go here.

https://secure.asolo.org/esro/

Updated On: 10/23/07 at 10:22 PM

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 10:24pm

Is it all sung-through?
What was the approx. running time?

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 10:34pm

It is not all sung through. *Edit: Right now the first act is running 1:28 and the second act is running :55. That is straight from people involved in the production.*

Updated On: 10/22/07 at 10:34 PM

[marlomanners]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 11:39am

Tim Hartman...had a small role, doesn't really register with me now.

The show is not sung-through, but there is a lot of sung dialogue.

The show does run just under three hours. It started at 2 and when I looked at my watch in the parking lot it was 4:55.

[me2]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 12:21pm

Thanks for the info. I, for one, am hoping this is a big hit (and worthy of being one).
Broadway Blog: From the Mouth of Baz Luhrmann

[sydney23]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 1:44pm

Tim's well worthy of idolization too! he's very featured in TALE, playing the Attorney General and one of the gravedigger's cronies. He is hysterical in the gravedigger scene.

[bare_nakedlady]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 1:56pm

I can't wait till november when I get a chance to see this. Can anyone post the actual songlist from this updated version? Thanks!

[Eris0303]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 2:27pm

I'm leaving for Florida a week from tomorrow and I'm VERY excited. Not just to see the show but to get out of Jersey for a few days!

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 2:40pm

We are having our first evening of below freezing weather this Friday, and I can't say I am complaining that I will be in Sarasota instead of freezing my butt off!

[Eris0303]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 2:43pm

It's still warm here but it'll be twenty degrees warmer in Florida!

Son, I'm jealous that you're going for opening weekend. Are there any festivities planned that you'll be attending?

I'm also looking forward to your review of the show. As someone who has followed this show for as long and as diligently as you have I know you'll have some interesting insights.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 3:40pm

I just received a brochure from the Asolo in the mail only minutes ago. I was flipping through it and came across the calendar and for October 26 is says "Press Night 'London'" and for the 27th it says "Press Night 'Paris'". Someone had asked why there were two opening nights and may shed some light on that. Perhaps one night is for local press and the next is for outside press? A theory anyway. I can't find any more information on that in the booklet though.

Also, every Wednesday patrons get a free glass of champagne before the performance. I'll be there on a Wednesday. How fun!

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 8:33pm

For those interested, here are the official running times right now.

First Act is 1:28 Second Act is :55

There was a speech before the show yesterday which caused the show to start late.

Also, at intermission it takes 20 minutes to switch over the scenery drops backstage which adds to intermission time. It won't be a problem when the show hits Broadway. (More fly space.)

So really the show itself is less than 2 1/2 hours.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 8:54pm

I second someone who saw it posting the songlist!!

[marlomanners]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 10:18pm

I am posting this from the program, not from memory, so it may have changed slightly:

Act 1
Shadows of the Night
It Won't Be Long
You'll Never Be Alone
Argument
Dover
The Way It Ought to Be
No Honest Way
The Trial
Reflection
Letter from Uncle
The Promise
Round and Round
I Can't Recall
Resurrection Man
Now at Last
If Dreams Came True
Out of Sight, Out of Mind
I Always Knew
Little One
Until Tomorrow

Act 2
Everything Stays the Same
No Honest Way (Reprise)
The Tale
If Dreams Came True
The Bluff
Without a Word
Let Her Be a Child
The Letter
Goodbye
Finale - I Can't Recall

[bare_nakedlady]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 11:02pm

Thanks so much Marlo. You've made me very happy!!

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 11:55pm

There are a lot of changes going on in the show check out Derek Keeling's blog for his take on it.

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=42506439&blogID=320863002