TALE OF TWO CITIES, early results

[anewday]

Posted: 10/17/07 at 1:59am

I saw tuesday night preformance i think it was the 3rd preview or what not, and i dont have much to say beaucse of course it is still a work in progress, as it is on its feet for the first time. But James Barbour is stunning, bottom line i know he has his issues but this role fits him perfectly, a man looking for redemption... truly stunning...

as for the show itself, i think it has some great potential, right now it is running a bit long ( just under 3 hours) there could be some songs cut out i believe, and some of the verses of the sydney carton songs could be cut down....


Visually it is just stunning, amazing lighting sets and costumes. This show has broadway potential,

a compelling story.

There will need to be some cast changes, But i will leave the specifics of that to others who see the show and leave that for an open discussion... If anyone gets a chance to check it out feel free to post as well...

also the theatre is a bit small for the set so you can see some of the back stage goings on... which is a draw back but if it were to go to ny that wouldnt be an issue....

id say somewhere between scarlet pimpernel and J and H is a good measure of how sucessful it could be...

it wont be the next pirate queen

[blaxx]

Posted: 10/17/07 at 2:18am

id say somewhere between scarlet pimpernel and J and H is a good measure of how sucessful it could be...

So, you're saying they won't try to bring it to Broadway and revising it 6655 times before it flops, it will just run for 5 years then flop?

it wont be the next pirate queen

Oh, well, thank God, the investors would love to know it is something between those three fiascos...how promising!

[COOOOLkid]

Posted: 10/17/07 at 3:31am

^ ohh stop being a douche!!

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 10/17/07 at 3:36am

Since when is stating the truth being a douche?

If I was the producer, I sure wouldn't want that quote hanging off MY marquee. Somewhere between Scarlet Pimpernel and Jekyll and Hyde = zero profit, a huge loss of the investment, horrible reviews, and a complete lack of artistic value. Oh boy... I can't wait...

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/17/07 at 8:38am

a complete lack of artistic value

Now, that's being a douche.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 10/17/07 at 10:45am

I love when readings, previews, try outs and works-in-progress are jumped on for better or worse...

I know that Jill and Alex (Santorelli) have been working on this project for several years. It's really enlightening to see a few armchair experts declare it's future already...but that's pretty much the norm around here.

I just wish some of you would consider how much effort goes into taking a production from page to stage prior to commenting on unfinshed projects.

(Matt, you're avatar is creepy...who the heck is that?)

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 10/17/07 at 11:27am

There are people who hate or love every show. Will I tell someone they are an idiot for not liking A Tale of Two Cities? Of course not. Everyone is going to have a different perspective on a show based on their own life experience. Not everyone is going to like everything. Do I hope that the majority of people will find the show moving, artistic, and exciting? Of course! I have really enjoyed the presentations I've seen so far, and can't wait to see a full production. We tend to undermine our own opinion by being snarky or overly defensive on this board. It's a world of gray, not black and white. Many of us seem to believe this to be true for the rest of the world, but we do not necessarily apply that belief to theatre. I know it is something I have to constantly work on. (Not always successfully.)

Updated On: 10/17/07 at 11:27 AM

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 10/17/07 at 12:14pm

I for one am very much looking forward to it. =)

woo-hoo!

[jaystarr]

Posted: 10/17/07 at 12:22pm

id say somewhere between scarlet pimpernel and J and H is a good measure of how sucessful it could be...

^^ Lord, have mercy !

[B3TA07]

Posted: 10/17/07 at 12:32pm

Anyone notice this guy joined the site today?


No no no, I am sure he lurks and has finally just coincidentally found something that inspired him enough to register today and post....?

[The Boy From Ohio]

Posted: 10/17/07 at 2:22pm

I don't think him joining today really has anything to do with it. It was hardly a post from a shrill. I know I was "lurking" (as you call it) for about a month before I joined and posted. Many people can be harsh on this board, esp. to new posters. Now if it had been a glowing review and predicted it to be the next Wicked, Jersey Boys, etc., and we all need to get to Sarasota to see this amazing show, then I too would call shrill. Comparing it to Scarlet Pimpernel and J&H are not huge compliments...

[anewday]

Posted: 10/17/07 at 3:15pm

i was just posting to put some thoughts out there, i didnt condemn anything in fact it has some truly powerful moments, the kind of moments that are no where to be found in pimpernel and j and h

what i was really speaking too was the length, there is some stuff in the show that i feel could be trimmed down, that at just under 3 hours it would be a hard sell to a ny audience, if they find a way to cut some of it down, i think it could be a very sucessful show. It was only the 3rd preview that i saw

the songs are beautiful the story is wonderfully told, and the sets lights and costumes are tremendous,

and the reason i said it wont be the next pirate queen was beacuse i have seen people on this board have such low expectations and assume it will do no better than said show.

I am all for an origonal show on broadway, not some copy of a movie, the creative team has indeed poured their hearts into this, and it does show on stage, i wish it all the best of luck,

i was very greatful for a wonderful night of theatre...



and also i have been reading the board for a long time, but have never had much to contribute to the conversations, But since i got a chance to see this show i thought some people might have been interested. Thats why i joined so recently

[sanda]

Posted: 10/17/07 at 3:33pm

anewday,

Thank you very much for the review. I have been following the show since I heard it's concept recording. "Out of sight, out of mind" is my favorite song. As a huge James Barbour fan, I know this role is perfect for him and I am really looking forward to seeing him in this on Broadway.

One thing I always worried about the show is that the songs for Carton are too Jane Eyre-like which is about love and love only. It's not a bad thing but it hardly can support the whole show. And I worried that people will always compare it with Les Miz.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 10/17/07 at 4:31pm

I, for one, cannot wait to see the show two weeks from tonight.

[JumpJumpJumpSoHigh]

Posted: 10/17/07 at 6:14pm

I'm looking forward to it too! I saw a "highlights concert" version of it in 1999, I believe, and I loved it at the time. Based on the music alone, I believe it has the potential to become another Les Mis -- but that depends on how well they execute it. Casting James Barbour was a darn good start, but as to the rest -- we shall see!

~JJJ

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 10/17/07 at 8:07pm

In 1999? Damn, this show has been in development for a while.

[Switz78]

Posted: 10/17/07 at 8:35pm

investors aren't thinking about marquee quotes when they put up money so their daughters can be in the show.
that's all I have to say.

oh and that after the search for a Lucy went on so long, they didn't find a very good one.

now that's all

[jbdc]

Posted: 10/18/07 at 11:31pm

So many of these shows in development make me wonder-- why tell this story on stage right now?

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 10/19/07 at 11:23pm

A musical about corrupt governance, people sacrificing their lives, needless deaths, reason blinded by the need for revenge...

Seems to be an appropriate time for this show.