| UP IN ARMS
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By David Lefkowitz
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Published March 26 2008 |
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Remember that Tale of Two Cities musical which announced Broadway plans two years ago? The one by someone you never heard of? The one you never expected to hear about again? The one that then surprised everyone by springing up at Florida's Asolo Repertory Theater, Oct. 19-Nov. 18, 2007, where it garnered positive reviews and strong audience reaction? Well, this little epic that could now has Broadway officially on its itinerary. A Tale of Two Cities, with book, music and lyrics by Jill Santoriello, will open at the Al Hirschfeld Theater Sept. 19, after starting previews Aug. 19. Veteran designers Tony Walton, Richard Pilbrow and David Zinn have been tapped for Cities' set, lighting and costumes, with Warren Carlyle, who choreographed the show in Florida, now taking the directing reigns as well. (Thommie Walsh was originally scheduled to helm Two Cities until cancer claimed him in June 2007.) Barbra Russell and Ron Sharpe, of Russell-Sharpe Productions, head a lengthy producing team. New York casting has yet to be announced. The Sarasota mounting featured Jessica Rush as Lucie, Derek Keeling as Darnay and Jane Eyre alum James Barbour as Sydney Carton. (The latter will be serving a three-year legal probation, following his plea bargain and 60-day jail term for dallying with a too-young fan in his dressing room.) A Tale of Two Cities will be author Santoriello's first show, though far, far from the first musical to be made from a Charles Dickens novel that list includes A Christmas Carol, The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Copperfield.
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