A TALE OF TWO CITIES NATALIE TORO as MADAME THERESE DEFARGE

D.W. GRIFFITH, A TALE OF TWO CITIES & JILL SANTORIELLO PART 2 by IRA H. GALLEN

As the show's director, Warren Carlyle, explains to me the work that went into preparing the show, I can't help but think about Griffith and his fledging staff a hundred years ago.

Griffith was the first director to develop the art of rehearsing before a scene. Even more important he was teaching his actors to study the world around them, by observing people on the street, their quirks and mannerisms. He urged his staff to go to libraries and museums to study other cultures and nations.

When it comes to casting and drawing a crowd from New Jersey and Long Island to break even while they try to get a younger crowd to check them out to run longer they could have the actors to pull it off.

James Barbour is perfect to play the selfish Sydney Carton (immortalized by Ronald Colman in the 1935 film classic) and reminds me of the first moving picture matinee idol discovered by Griffith, Arthur Johnson, both tall, dark, handsome and brooding. There's no better female to be rescued by her hero then a slender long haired blonde heroine named Florence Lawrence who became the first star of moving pictures and Brandi Burkhardt, playing Lucie Manette, has the same charm.




Aaron Lazar as the French Aristocrat Charles Darney, part of the story's love triangle, reminds me of a Lionel Barrymore or a Donald Crisp who took on many roles with Griffith, whether hero or villain.

I'm shocked to realize that after falling in love with the way Natalie Toro sings "Out of Sight Out Of Mind," that's she's a villainess playing Madame Therese Defarge.

From the backgrounds of a grand ball room painted on a canvas background at the birth of pictures to the theatre influence of building sets in forced perspectives, that allowed Griffiths films to grow in scope and stature, this production already has the legendary set designer Tony Walton creating scenery.

I'm looking forward to the director's challenge to stage his cast through a series of six movable, two level street towers, candelabras and curtains that drop from the rafters and other pieces that come in from the wing, Walton's vision taking us through 46 scenes. The sets transform from river banks and streets, to wine shops, elegant homes and regal courtrooms.

You'll find that a good deal of all Griffith's leading actors were also the films' assistant directors and later became leading directors and producers themselves like Raoul Walsh (White Heat), Victor Fleming (The Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind) and Tod Browning (Dracula).

I could feel the excitement in executive producers Barbara Russell and Ron Sharpe, both one time leading actors in Les Miserables, and understand how they raised the money from investors to add an exciting new spin to the French Revolution on Broadway.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• ataleoftwocities
• broadway
• natalietoro
• jillsantoriello
• frenchrevolution

[BigBlondeBeautyful]

I love this song, maybe the best song of "A Tale..."

[Masquerade2010]

Oh. My. Gosh. I would pretty much give my first born and possibly my second born to see this musical (not like I'm ever having kids...)! I love James and Brandi and Aaron and Natalie and the entire cast. This seems epic. Super excited.

[Kaliadder]

I saw Ms. Toro perform as Grizabella in Cats. She was AMAZING to watch and listen to. Thank you for posting this. Although it's not the song I was looking for, it's still a real treat to hear her sing like this again.

[gobucksjoeyt]

I saw natalie toro play eponine on broadway (twice) about 20 years ago. she was absolutely AMAZING. I wish she had been on the Les Mis album.

[pentex128]

i am so sad I never got to see this....wish I knew Ron earlier

This woman is mad talented

Kate Pentek <3

[dottore06]

@BigBlondeBeautyful probably the only good song. :P

[musicrush05]

@glilopi - She's actually not very loving in this show at all. She's kind of crazy...

[superdork23]

I love that she was in character this song is soooo amazing!!!!

[ToBeFree32]

I wish I could have seen this show live. I've only seen the concert version on PBS. Luckily, I got to see her as Camilla in In the Heights.

Chills. I have chills listening to this. This song is frickin' amazing.

The world needs more Frenchie musicals

[WendlaBergmann]

I just watched this like six times. I miss this show!

[dancinggirl707]

wow! I get chills every time I hear her sing this, she is amazing! I'm so glad I got to see her perform before the show closed