A Tale Of Two Cities Preview

[vw18832]

@ToBeFree32 OMG I was in The Scarlet Pimpernel. I was in love with that play

[classicalbk]

What a wonderful show. Just got the CD. So sad I missed it on Broadway. I thought it would last longer! Has anyone seen "Without a Word" on video?

[classicalbk]

What a wonderful show. Just got the CD. So sad I missed it on Broadway. I thought it would last longer!

[AddictingFanFiction]

@classicalbk Ron Sharpe (producer of this show, played Marius for years on broadway, now currently touring with the 25th Ann. As Jean Valjean in les Mis) did 100% of the fundraising for this show, and the show when it finally started was a huge success, but unfortunately the market crashed 3-4 months after it opened...that is probably the only reason we are not still seeing it on Broadway today.

[rct3star19]

This would be the perfect time to make this play into a movie. i really want 2 c this, but now i cant! :( i love the story so much!

[MrEdgeofchaos]

i think this music is hilarious!!! i actually have to play the percussion to this musical in my school's rendition of a tale of two Cities!!! but then again, no one cares!!!

[Emiltherealone]

my school is making this musical we asctiually have the rEAL SETS AND PROPS WOW!

[suejvin]

Really?  Where is your school? I didn't think the rights were available four months ago when you wrote.

[lucask77]

i go to the school it was a summer theatre production. our director at the time was working with the show and had connections to get the rights props and set. I didnt see it but it got wonderful reviews for acing and singing

[suejvin]

@lucask77

Cherry Hill East? That's your school, right? Yup, I know. It was in 2009.

[Emiltherealone]

OMG I WAS PART OF THE CREW yea we had all the costumes adn props i was like crying i was so amazed haha it was so awesome beautiful memories iw as so proud to part of it

[suejvin]

@Emiltherealone

Yeah, I found out all about it, initially, from Sean Owens who was part of your show. Long story on how I connected with Sean!

My summer theatre is doing the show this summer. We were actually the first non-professional group to get the rights through its (now) licensing organization, Samuel French, Inc.

[cola625]

this was a good show.. james barbour was really good, and i personally know him a s a family friend

[Satine999]

Hi guys, does anyone have a concept Cd of this musical? I'm looking for it for ages and I'm unable to find anything... Could somebody, please post it on RS or other server? I will be sooooo grateful

[janedoekll]

@Satine999 I have the concept CD... Will be posting all the songs here in YouTube soon... I'm still trying to get hold of the International Studio Cast Recording and the concert DVD... :D

[Janeux]

Competing with a musical that is similar looking to Les Miz . . . well not the smartest idea.

[AngryMonkeysClub]

Amen brother. Amen

[soConfusifying]

Uhm okay A Tale of Two Cities is nothing like Les Miserables. Maybe the preview looks like it could be, but the story is unique and something not to be compared to. If you read the book you'd know.

[hhmhoops]

It's such a disappointment that the show is closing. When I went last month, things were going great for the show. I went on a Thursday night, and it was sold out! The show was beautifully done and captivating. I have never been so moved in all my life. I was balling at the end. It's such a shame it has to close so soon and that more people cannot experience its message, which could directly apply to the world we are living in today.

[SweeneyToddFanatic2]

James Barbour is going up for a tony too!!

[dancinggirl707]

I just saw the show today. It was absolutely amazing! The set was incredible and the actors were outstanding! I was shocked when I found out it is going to close so early. In fact they changed the closing date again. It's actually going to be closing tomorrow, sadly. I would have loved to see it again.

[redxpinaii]

My class had a field trip to this play on Nov. 19. We've been planning on seeing this since September. We recently gave in our money and stuff. Then today we find out this play is closing on Nov. 16. All the 150 students planning on going are all extremely disappointed including myself. It looks really good. I don't know why critics would put it out of show. I've seen Les Miserables and Les Mis is taken place in the 1800s not the 1790s! such a disappointment that we can't see it. :[

[PhantomHobbit]

Hey, does anyone know when the official soundrack comes out? I saw the conceptual one on the website but am trying to wait and get the official one!

[EmilyWestbrooks]

I doubt that they're doing an official soundtrack, as disappointing as that is.

[gb363gb]

According to people close to the show, the earliest it will be released is 6-12 months, for several reasons including money + union rules.

[abcmuffin]

This was a stellar and AMAZING show. I was in tears by the end. Very similar to Les Mis, but i think this one really gripped emotions. And Derek Keeling, hes so gorgeous! :D

[jaquen1977]

The show was a huge disappointment with a weak book, and an almost unbearably inept 1st Act. But one thing I can not fault is the STELLAR cast, and beautiful, if redundant, set design. Truly, if this thing is worth seeing, it's for the perfomers, who managed to rise above all the trappings. James Barber is especially noteworthy here, as is Michelle Dawson as Madame Defarge.

[jaquen1977]

***Correction, Natalie Toro as Madame Defarge.

[SMoonEmpress]

:( I'm sorry you didn't like it. I absolutely LOVED this show, as did the audience I saw it with. My family and I are STILL talking about it, and we saw it two months ago. Oh well - I guess it just depends on musical taste.

[born4stage926]

Oh My Gosh! A Tale of Two Cities is the Best show that I have seen on Broadway so far. I have seen about 20 shows and this one definitely comes out on top! Everyone should go see it as soon as possible..I can guarantee you that you will not be disappointed. The cast is phenomenal and the story is so inspiring. You will find yourself laughing and crying and really just enjoying this classic Broadway experience! I have seen the show twice already and I intend on going many more times!

[Silent1Fish]

I didn't know this was a musical, as ysterday i went to see the ballet production of this

[TimJC92]

that is, in response to the really harsh critic down there

[grec001]

Yeah I'm sure Dickens wrote ToTC with the intent of copying Hugo... LOL

Especially considering ToTC came out before Les Mis. I sincerely hope you didn't mean copying the story line but rather the direction of the play.

[shelleygirl307]

is this for sale on iTunes yet?

[byattlover]

no. they haven't done a cast recording yet. there is a conception cd though for sale. i would wait another 4 weeks for the cast recording though. they said it was rumored to go into recording now that previews are over.

[wintertearsiren]

One of the best shows I've ever seen on Broadway. I saw it the Thursday evening after previews had started that Tuesday. Simply brilliant. I cried at least twice!

[AMiamiRhapsody]

I think we should stop saying "IT COPIED LES MIS" and start pointing out the differences between the two shows.

-Les Mis is in the early to mid 1800's. ToTC is in the late 1790's.

-Les Mis is about about an uprising on June 5-6, 1832. ToTC is about the French Revolution.

-Les Mis focuses more on Valjean trying to redeem himself, with Cosette and Marius in the background: "HI, WE LOVE EACH OTHER!" Love is essential to ToTC because it's what causes Sydney Carton to sacrifice himself.

[CartonsJackal]

I saw this on Saturday and it was absolutely incredible. It really does remind you of Les Miz, but not in an, "Oh, they're copying the music and the entire idea of revolution". No, it throws you back to Les Miz in a good way and yet has its own way of being unique. The actors were brilliant. I never saw so many talented people on one stage at one time. This musical has the potential to do very well and I hope it plays for a long, long time!!

[SMoonEmpress]

I saw this on Broadway this past Wednesday, and was BLOWN AWAY by it! I'm a huge Les Mis fan, having seen it 4 times, and this reminded me of it in a GOOD way. I completely agree with CartonsJackal! I was prepared to dislike it for "copying" Les Mis, but instead it followed the Les Mis tradition while being completely unique and original. AMAZING score, AMAZING talent, AMAZING tale...simply AMAZING! I simply can't stop thinking or talking about it (and neither can those I saw it with).

[cornwal33]

quite simply, this show was horrible. melodramatic, simplistic score, and a poorly designed that attempted to be the Les Mis turntable 2.0. not to mention those damn horses.......

[TimJC92]

Well bud. You shouldn't be one to criticize considering you just a lonely fan of Broadway, probably just jealous that you never succeeded =)

[cornwal33]

wait, just because you assume im not a sophomore at NYU studying drama and haven't seen the show twice, im not allowed to make an educated statement? interesting. if any theatre-educated person enjoyed the show, it would most likely be because of the talented cast, not because it is a well written show. i would go back 100 times just to hear Aaron Lazar and James Barbour.

[TimJC92]

I was defending the cast for the most part. I just wanted them to be noted as very talented. So I guess were on the same page in that case. Sorry about the misunderstanding

[goldandcurls]

Seeing this today. So excited.

[MichaelCrawfordsFan]

Oh so lucky. Good Luck. Tell me how it went. And espcially James! Tell me how James was! PM Me It.

[harlamguy]

I saw the preview of the show two days ago as well. The show is incredible. Rather than an imitation, I think Les Mis fans will find this show to be a replacement since Les Mis is no longer running on broadway. The biggest standout in this show is Jim Barbour, who, without a doubt should receive a Tony nomination (At the least. I think he should win it.) for his portrayal of Sydney Carton.  The set was also incredibly creative and unique. The music was great. Lots of memorable tunes.

[ActorSinger51]

sounds like les mis

[KatieRine]

After reading a lot of posts calling this a poor imitation of Les Mis, I had to respond. I saw the show last night, and must say that even in their preview performances it is already a knock out hit. It's reminiscent of Les Mis, but it REALLY carves its own niche. The music is GLORIOUS, the story addictive, the performances some of the best on Broadway. It was SO refreshing to see this after a few years of musical theatre fluff and little in the way of hearty material. Go see it.

[hkk321]

I saw this on Tuesday and really loved it. Yes, there are a lot of similarities to Les Mis in plot, and the music, being very ensemble-driven, also has similarities. But it is great, and the cast is unbelievable.

[Marius24601]

Very much like les Mis, and there two people in the cast who played Enjolras

[orchidlizard]

Hmm... very reminiscent of Les Mis, but both are incredible stories and I can't wait to see how TOTC the musical does!

[MerEarth]

Don't judge an entire musical based on one 2:40 preview! the music may sound slightly similar, but only in that its beautiful and intense. Les Miserables is an AWeSOME musical, and I think Tale of Two Cities might be nearly as great as Les Mis. Both are wonderful classic novels as well, and if I were you I'd read them before going to see the musicals and passing judgements.

[oohcool]

This looks better than les Mis. Les mis gets so boring.

This looks a little more exciting.

[aeschylean]

Well, now... Has anyone else realized that the finale is totally plagiarized from the Les Mis finale? Almost same chord progression, same key. This just pisses me off.

[gb363gb]

That's the least of their worries. The Act 1 ending is "Until Tomorrow"...and Les Mis is "One Day More". Synonyms! Both are ensemble-driven songs & about fighting "the next day"!

[broadwayadict]

has it occured to you that they are about the same thing the only difference is that one was written by an englishmen and the other was written by a frenchmen and the last song is not similar to the finale of les mis

[tylerdonahue]

Actually, I think you'll find that they are not about the same thing. The French Revolutions took place between 1789 and 1799. Les Mis starts in 1815. THE BOTH ARE NOT ABOUT THE FRENCH REVOLUTION! And, yes the finale sounds exactly like Les Mis ("One Day More"). It's almost as if the composer is playing a joke on the world and seeing how close she can get to Les Mis without being sued. I'm sad to see that so many talented cast members are involved, even if I'm happy they have a steady pay.

[broadwayadict]

yes they are stupid les mis is a fictional version of the french revolution but is based on the same events

[oohcool]

Les Mis is based on July revolution, not THE french rev.

Les Mis begins in 1815 when he is released from prison, and then continues from there. 2 Cities is back in the 1790s.

Before you call someone stupid, look in the mirror.

[vw18832]

@oohcool actully Les Mis was based on the french rev. My highschool did Les Mis and it was the end of the french rev. sooo im sorry but your still wrong.

[lazyteenagegirl]

@vw18832 i sorry but your wrong. the french revolution lasted from 1789-1799 and les miserables started with the prologue in 1815... 16 years after the french revolution ended. and like oohcool said totc is from 1775- 1792 .... sorry but your wrong

[TonicSolFa]

Not to mention, to the 'chord progression' guy, that happens all the time! If you go through musical theater anthologies you'll find the same progression in at least 20 songs. Its the 'musical theater SOUND' and most composers for MT know whats popular and do that.

[futureplayrite]

It probably reminds you of Les Mis because both musicals take place during the same time period, the proletariat in both shows are fighting for the same cause, and of course the score is similarly written.

[jenksHSM]

It looks like an attempt at Les Miz because The music is a somewhat similar style, the voices are of the Les Miz style. Also including what you said...

[MichaelCrawfordsFan]

Very excited to see this on broadway. Everyone has been cast now. James is back!

[chiara1194]

I absolutely love the book, but this musical looks and sounds too much like Les Miserables. It would have been more exciting had the directors found a more creative way to break out of the "Les Miz" mold, such as "Notre Dame de Paris"

[AznDaae]

I agree. The second I started watching this I thought of Les Mis

[kingnim1]

I cannot believe the show will finally make Boradway. I received am early from Jill about 9 years ago, loved it and hoped the show would make it...WOW..cannot wait and yes James B is in the promo material for tickets.

[EriksChristine]

*dies* James, your amazing.

[Masquerade2010]

indeed. Thank god he's on Broadway!!!!!!!!! now there'll be a cast album coming out with his voice on it (lets hope). Aaron Lazar will be on it too! I'm super excited for both of them.

[eris0303]

Last I heard Barbour was still with the show

[EriksChristine]

Yes he's stil with the show. He better come back to broadway. His home. I'd love to see him in the role of Sydney Carton. :D

[bradythed]

I would be supprised to see james barbour doing the show after his conviction! His career is pretty much screwed!!!!

[edwink57]

it didn't hurt errol flynns career why would it hurt barbours

[eris0303]

Flynn was acquited of all charges and Barbour wasn't. Flynn didn't do time for his crime and Barbour did. Flynn had his image to get him off the hook. Barbour has no such image. And the times were very different. Statutory rape was so hush/hush back then and not prosecuted the way it is now. If Errol Flynn were alive today and the same thing had happened to him I'm sure the results would have been very different.

[eris0303]

Tale of Two Cities is set to start previews on Broadway in August and then officially open in September. No word on if the cast will be the same as seen in this video yet.

[1a1a1a1a2]

OMG! IM SO HAPPY! my friends parents are the producers, and i know the little girl that was in it, im in a show with her now and i adore her, shes the cutest thing ever! i hope she is in this in nyc. i can not wait to buy my ticket!

[RealActress]

It's official! "A Tale of Two Cities" is going to Broadway!

[javertlover]

is that song from a simple wish in it or was that just for the movie?

[Evalkitti2]

I'm reading the book right now..so I simply YouTubed it with ABSOLUTLY NO IDEA THAT IT WAS A MUSICAL! OMG! SQUEE!

[DTMonkey92]

I think they just made a a musical out of it. I'd rather see the movie

[rebahsol]

That big dance scene was cut from the production at the last moment.

[darnayandcarton4eva]

we did this play, but nowhere near as good sets, awesome!!

[rainbowspotter]

*dies* James!!! I love him. COME TO BROADWAY PLEASE!!! I WANT TO SEE IT!! *Pants and passes out*

[enzosmom]

Wow this looks interesting. I hope that Jim going to jail doesn't hurt this show. He is talented for sure.

[xasphyxiation]

James Barbours voice is porn for the ears :]

[elaine987]

I was there in the second row the first night it opened. Which it is such an amazing, breath taking show! Everyone has to see it, and James was AMAZING! The best of them all.

[C083Y]

this was the most amazing show ive ever seen in my life...Natalie Toro as Madam DeFarge was the most amazing thing ive seen in my entire life..and im an actor. Her song Out Of Sight Out of Mind Was Amazing, Breathtaking,and the man who plays Sydney has the most amazing Male Voice ive ever heard...people GO SEE THIS SHOW WHEN ITS ON BROADWAY IN A FEW MONTHS!

[rebahsol]

Do you know when it's going to Broadway? I mean, it was picked up for sure?

[brothaE]

I love Jessica Rush.

[budokvivi]

It's phenomenal!... first time to see james barbour perform, love him!!!.

[Bariwasmypart]

i loved the musical and was hoping to get a soundtrack but ahve been unalble to find one

[MarkusG90]

The best show I have seen.  James Barbour and Jessica Rush are astounding.

[ih8KibaGaaraSasuke]

Phenomenal It is destined for broadway