Archive for the 'A Tale of Two Cities' category
Sketching in the Wings
November 28, 2007 2:16 pm
Actors, as you probably already know, often have skills beyond what they put out on the Broadway stage night after night. As is the case with Tim Hartman (left), a cast member of the Broadway-bound A Tale of Two Cities, which ended its Florida run last weekend. In fact, on his website, Tim lists his talents in this order: “Actor, Storyteller, Artist, Puppeteer, Singer.” Talent #3 (and a little of Talent #2) is currently on display above, in this clever drawing of the stars of Tale that he put together as a gift for the cast. Since many of the show’s fans read this blog, I thought I’d share. Tim’s not alone in doing this, by the way. A few years back, John Lithgow gave me a terrific drawing of the cast of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, which I’ve since framed and cherish! Illustration by Tim Hartman
A Tale Worth Telling
October 29, 2007 7:18 pm
I spent the weekend in Sarasota, Florida, for the opening night celebrations for A Tale of Two Cities at the Asolo Repertory Theatre. Yes, you read right… celebrations as in more than one—the theater chose to have an opening for each of the two cities in Charles Dickens‘ classic tale, London and Paris. Although that’s a bit too gimmicky for my tastes, the double dose of hospitality (two lavish indoor/outdoor parties at the classy theater) was actually appreciated by this out-of-towner.
And the show, you ask? Well, industry folks these days like to snicker at musicals like this, which dare to base themselves on classic pieces of literature rather than pop culture film phenoms and choose to be wise over wiseass. I’d never read the novel but found myself wrapped up in the redemptive story of Sydney Carton and the heartbreaking love triangle between Carton, Lucy Manette and Charles Darnay. The work’s not yet done, but this Broadway-bound musical is on the right path, thanks especially to a handful of stirring Jill Santoriello songs, Michael Donald Edward’s brisk staging, Tony Walton’s ingenious scenic design and a strong company led by James Barbour, pouring his soul into a towering performance as Carton.
Barbour’s career on the stage, including terrific turns in Jane Eyre and Assassins, has been overshadowed by his personal life of late. All that could change if A Tale of Two Cities makes it to this city in the spring as hoped. He could even get himself a Tony Award if he plays his cards right.
But would Broadway embrace A Tale of Two Cities, with its petticoats and old-fashioned story of hope? Time will tell, but the audiences at the Asolo, where word of mouth has pretty much sold the run out, are certainly enjoying themselves. And I, for one, still think that means something.
Here are some exclusive photos that Bruce Glikas snapped backstage over the weekend. There are more to come—as well as party photos—in tomorow’s Photo Op.
Stars Derek Keeling, Jessica Rush and James Barbour pose for an intermission shot.
A touch (just a touch!) of make-up for leading man Barbour.
Rush touches up the lips.
Natalie Toro, a standout as Madame DeFarge.
Keeling gets wigged.
Look for our Photo Op tomorrow for even more behind-the-scenes photos of A Tale of Two Cities.
First Look: B’way-Bound Tale Takes Sarasota
October 19, 2007 1:36 pm
The pre-Broadway engagement of Jill Santoriello’s A Tale of Two Cities has started performances at the Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota, Florida, and judging from these exclusive shots, it looks stunning! Check out the towering sets by the legendary Tony Walton (who designed my favorite show EVER, Grand Hotel), the rich costumes by David Zinn and Richard Pilbrow’s evocative lighting. Oh—and the cast (led by James Barbour, above) ain’t bad to look at, either! I don’t know how the show is actually playing, but it’s already starting to look like a Broadway hit to me! Photos by Carol Rosegg
The full company.
Derek Keeling as Charles Darnay romances Jessica Rush as Lucie Manette.
Natalie Toro as the evil (”Hissssss!”) Madame Defarge.
Barbour as Sydney Carton visits the Manettes at home.
The Parisian peasants invent street theater.
Keeling as Darnay realizes he must return to his ravaged Paris to rescue the innocent Gabelle.
Liberte! Fraternite! Egalite!
Attorney Sydney Carton, spy John Barsad (Nick Wyman) and graverobber Jerry Cruncher (Craig Bennett) meet for a friendly drink.
Christmas Eve, London, 1775.
The rescue of Charles Darnay begins with a handshake.
Lucie Manette prepares for her wedding to Darnay with the help of the ubiquitous Miss Pross (Katherine McGrath).
Plotting the revolution at the infamous Defarge wine shop.
The dance before the storm.
Darnay challenges the most evil man in France, his uncle the Marquis St. Evremonde (Les Minski) as the doomed servent Gabelle (Kevin Greene) looks on.
Dr. Manette (Alex Santoriello) is “recalled to life.”
Jessica Rush as the brave Lucie Manette.
“It is a far, far better thing I do than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.”
Dickens Presents: The Love Triangle!
September 14, 2007 7:45 pm
It’s on! Here they are, as promised, the first photos of fresh-faced Tale of Two Cities lovers Jessica Rush (who will play Lucie Manette) and Derek Keeling (Charles Darnay), posing with James Barbour, who will play Sydney Carton. The plot: Sydney loves Lucie, Lucie loves Charles, Sydney loves to drink, the friggin’ guillotine is chopping off people’s heads… Clearly, all three of these talents won’t look this good by the musical’s end!
Below are full-body shots of Rush and Keeling, who will both be making their Broadway debuts if the musical swings up to the stem as hoped. Jessica’s mostly done stuff on the road and Derek was the most visually appropriate Danny from NBC’s Grease: You’re the One That I Want! competition. He was also just really, really great, period. Back when I had the energy to rate each week’s show, he was my top pick every time. Glad to see him finding his own way to Broadway…and my blog!
By the way, all photos are by Miss Carol Rosegg. Enjoy!
And now, ladies the gentlemen, the poster.
Broadway, Meet Sydney
September 12, 2007 7:40 pm
Fans of epic musicals (who happen to live in Western Florida) must be licking their chops. Exactly one month from tomorrow, Jill Santoriello’s long-brewing musical version of Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities will take to the stage of the Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota. And if things go as they should, Broadway will see the show by springtime. Director Michael Donald Edwards has gathered a first-rate cast for the production, led by James Barbour (Jane Eyre, Urinetown, Beauty and the Beast) as the classic Dickens romantic hero Sydney Carton, an attorney and a broken man who drowns his sorrow for his wasted life in booze and self-pity.
Check out these exclusive shots of Barbour as Carton by shutterbug Carol Rosegg (the rock star fashion comes courtesy of Tale of Two Cities costume designer David Zinn). In the coming days I’ll also premiere some shots of Barbour’s co-stars who make up the show’s love triangle—Jessica Rush and Derek Keeling (Third-place Danny—and one of my favorites—from Grease: You’re the One That I Want).
Wanna get tickets? Info below!
Shhh…Genius at Work
March 7, 2007 12:35 amTony Walton has 14 Tony Award nominations and three wins for scenic design for one reason and one reason only: the man’s a genius. With this exclusive peek at his designs for the upcoming Broadway musical version of A Tale of Two Cities, you can get a look at some of the clever ideas he’s got up his sleeve. I ran these small on our news story yesterday but felt they deserved a larger reprint here. Enjoy!
Stage Notes
