A TALE OF TWO CITIES Reviews- Page 6
A TALE OF TWO CITIES Reviews
#125re: A TALE OF TWO CITIES Reviews
Posted: 9/19/08 at 11:59pm
From a friend who has had some of his plays produced in NY Theaters: "Critics hate big production, costume dramas. They also hate that they often succeed, in spite of the fact that they don't like them, which pi$$es them off more. And while Jill's story might be exciting to some (self taught musician! worked for decades on it! never gave up!), the NY Theater crowd is a close knit group, and I suspected they might have the attitude 'so you think this is easy? Just wait 'til we get ahold of your show!"
I saw one of the previews. I would agree that the first 30 minutes or so moves slowly, and the show appears a bit chopped up at times, as if trying to fit too much Dickensian detail in. However, I honestly cannot understand the panning of the songs. They are beautiful. The lament of "if dreams came true, I might have been a better man" is right out of the pages of the novel, it isn't a trite thingie Jill dreamed up. Until Tomorrow is rousing...Out of Sight is exciting and edgy...I Can't Recall is beautiful.
Sorry, the critics qre a bit wide right in their reviews.
I don't know how long it will run, because the show is so expensive to stage, but I predict audiences will like it.
miss pennywise
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/7/04
#126re: A TALE OF TWO CITIES Reviews
Posted: 9/20/08 at 12:09am
Everybody chant in unison:
"THE VISIT! THE VISIT! THE VISIT!"
http://www.roches.com/television/ss83kod.html
**********
"If any relationship involves a flow chart, get out of it...FAST!"
~ Best12Bars
JoeM
Chorus Member Joined: 4/14/06
#127re: A TALE OF TWO CITIES Reviews
Posted: 9/20/08 at 4:37pm
I love this show. Saw it in a final preview. I am a Broadway theatre professional and think the critics have their heads up their b..... in this case. The score is gorgeous, great orchestrations and scenery, direction. Loved the way the book was intelligently interpereted. Best voices on Broadway. To compare it to Les Miz shows the critics stupidity, in my opinion.
P.S. The critics hated Les Miz too!
#128re: A TALE OF TWO CITIES Reviews
Posted: 9/20/08 at 5:01pmI downloaded the concept versions of "Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind" and "Until Tomorrow" from the official website, and my brother and sister and I can't stop singing and humming them. Critics who say there aren't any memorable tunes are clearly liars, because no one I know who's heard those songs can get them out of their heads. What I've seen from the promo videos on the internet looks great, what I've heard from the thirty-second samples of the concept recording is equally great, and the Broadway cast is freakishly talented. I don't see what the problem is.
In my pants, she has burst like the music of angels, the light of the sun! --Marius Pantsmercy
#129re: A TALE OF TWO CITIES Reviews
Posted: 9/20/08 at 5:07pmI'm now not frazzled about this closing. Our trip advisor said if a show closes before we get the see it the agency will switch to another show. We will be going in April, if it does I'm going to try to get her to choose 9to5.
TooDarnHot
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/7/08
#130re: A TALE OF TWO CITIES Reviews
Posted: 9/20/08 at 5:13pmLoves me some of Megan Hilty's breasticles!!
bwaybabe2
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/5/08
#132re: A TALE OF TWO CITIES Reviews
Posted: 9/20/08 at 7:10pm
I am glad someone like 86general comes out to bat for this show. I agree that the music is beautiful;after seeing the show, hearing the songs live, and then listening to the CD, not only do I appreciate what I hear, but these songs do stay in your head, they are not forgetable.
Critics........well let's interpret the silence here.
This show is not only beautifully put together, acted and sung, but will be (should be) up for the following noms, come Tony time:
Best musical
Best choreography
Best book of a musical
Best original score
Best Costumes design for a musical
Best orchestrations
Best scenic design for a musical
Best lighting design for a musical
Best leading actor in a musical (James Barbour)
Best featured actor in a musical (Nick Wyman)
Best featured actress in a musical (Natalie Toro)
Best direction of a musical
There you have it, time will prove me right(and audiences as well), we'll see. Ah, yes, and I have never before called a "shill" except on this board, BTW. The label is so overly propagated by people afraid to actually agree with someone who might run the fate of being put in this category, that it only mirrors the "this is not my taste in musicals, so I am going to throw every negative hyperbole I can muster..." in the reviews of this show...
What a shame for a fate like this for such a committed, hard working and brilliant group of artists who compose the company of Tale. Really.
#133re: A TALE OF TWO CITIES Reviews
Posted: 9/20/08 at 7:17pmI loved the show too (I'm actually planning to go back next weekend as a matter of fact) and these reviews make me very sad. I just feel like the critics didn't want to like it, which is unfair. Hopefully people won't pay attention to the reviews and still go see it.
A little swash, a bit of buckle - you'll love it more than bread.
CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
#134re: A TALE OF TWO CITIES Reviews
Posted: 9/20/08 at 7:38pmSorry, but this show will be long forgotten by TONY time, IMHO.
broadwayfan310
Chorus Member Joined: 8/22/08
#135re: A TALE OF TWO CITIES Reviews
Posted: 9/20/08 at 7:55pmI love the show also and I am tired of being called a shill! I am just a huge fan who has followed the progress of this show from years ago.. This is a crowd pleaser and I only hope they can hang in there untill the word of mouth takes on a life of its own.. and I truely believe it will. Everyone I know that has seen is touched by this show! I wish them all the luck!!
Eagleman
Stand-by Joined: 6/5/08
#136re: A TALE OF TWO CITIES Reviews
Posted: 9/21/08 at 6:43pm
Timing is everything.
Backing is next.
There are just too many new musicals inbound to give ATOTC a fighting chance even if reviews were neutral.
Even Oprah's influence and deep pockets couldn't save "The Color Purple".
With "Shrek", "Billy Elliot", "Pal Joey", and "White Christmas" about to launch and people still camping out for a chance to see "Jersey Boys" and "South Pacific" I can't see this show drawing an audience.
To be sure, from time to time shows defy the critics and catch on but if on this side of the Atlantic are even slightly smitten with "Billy Elliot", whatever positive word of mouth ATOTC can generate will be drowned out by the buzz about the hyperkinetic
kid from Levittown.
philly03
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/07
#137re: A TALE OF TWO CITIES Reviews
Posted: 9/21/08 at 8:11pm
I find it incredibly interesting someone would think some of these for the following. I put my a star next to the ones I agree with:
"This show is not only beautifully put together, acted and sung, but will be (should be) up for the following noms, come Tony time:
*Best musical
Best choreography
*Best book of a musical
Best original score
*Best Costumes design for a musical
*Best orchestrations
*Best scenic design for a musical
*Best lighting design for a musical
*Best leading actor in a musical (James Barbour)
Best featured actor in a musical (Nick Wyman)
*Best featured actress in a musical (Natalie Toro)
Best direction of a musical "
I think it'll get overlooked for direction, especially witht these reviews! I don't think Nick Wyman has a "big" enough role to get into featured, but what do I know? Also, the competition isn't that big this year for Best Actress in a Musical? I could see Brandi possibly getting a nod, atleast I hope she does!!
broadwayfan310
Chorus Member Joined: 8/22/08
#138re: A TALE OF TWO CITIES Reviews
Posted: 9/21/08 at 8:22pmI agree I love Brandi and Natalie... I love this show and I wish everyone would just give it a chance and go see it!
#139re: A TALE OF TWO CITIES Reviews
Posted: 9/21/08 at 8:32pmI bet the Tony committee will snub the show all together just like they did with The Pirate Queen.
philly03
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/07
#140re: A TALE OF TWO CITIES Reviews
Posted: 9/21/08 at 8:35pmThe more I listen to the concept recording, the more I realize that they should have just had "It Won't Be Long" be the Act 1 finale, maybe add something for the DeFarge's, but it'd probably be better than "Until Tomorrow." Leave like a cliff hanger...because other than the brief *spoiler* killing of what 3 soldiers?*end* what does it have to offer that It Won't Be Long doesn't? Atleast I think that'd be a way to have gotten the critics off their backs but whatever, the show's not worse because of that.
broadwayfan310
Chorus Member Joined: 8/22/08
#141re: A TALE OF TWO CITIES Reviews
Posted: 9/21/08 at 8:44pmIt would'nt have mattered what they did! The NY Times is so pompous he even critiqued Charles Dickens..
#142re: A TALE OF TWO CITIES Reviews
Posted: 9/21/08 at 9:44pm
Despite the reviews, I'm disappointed that I probably won't be able to see this show (unless it lasts until the spring).
-Sidebar-
Miss Pennywise:
Any news on "The Visit"? Still hoping for a future life, but haven't heard anything.
#143re: A TALE OF TWO CITIES Reviews
Posted: 9/21/08 at 10:16pm
Ummm, the show will NOT get a Best Musical nod.
Their only shot in hell is James Barbour, who received pretty good reviews.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
#144re: A TALE OF TWO CITIES Reviews
Posted: 9/21/08 at 10:33pmOh dear, the reviews--not good.
Recreation of original John Cameron orchestration to "On My Own" by yours truly. Click player below to hear.
#145re: A TALE OF TWO CITIES Reviews
Posted: 9/21/08 at 11:03pmI could not believe the reviews for this show! I saw this with 3 friends and we all left there in awe. Every person I know that has seen this show has done nothing but love it, yet all of the critics have panned it. It makes no sense to me. But above all, i think that if you are going to be a critic you have to look at the show objectively. Just as Young Frankenstein (which I wasn't a huge fan of, yet I thought was unjustly critized) was constantly compared to The Producers, Tale of Two Cities was only compared to Les Miserables. If you are expecting to see Les Miz, then find somewhere playing it. This is not the same show. They are incredibly different shows and beautiful in many different respects. If you enjoy epic shows such as Les Miz and Phantom you will most likely love this show, but do not enter that theater expecting to see Les Miz the sequel. If you enter it with an open mind I promise you will be blown away. I've recommended half a dozen people to see this show and each one of them left that theater praising it as the best show of the year. James Barbour is phenominal as Sydney Carton and Natalie Toro is a wonderful Madame Defarge. This show truely captivates audiences and I cannot wait to see it again.
RentBoy86
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
#146re: A TALE OF TWO CITIES Reviews
Posted: 9/22/08 at 1:04amI saw this show in previews and I was rather into it. I loved Natalie Toro. I thought she was so haunting. She didn't have much to do at first, but her presence was felt. I loved her big solo number, and I loved James Barbour - talk about a gorgeous voice! I'm going to try and student rush this next week. I'd love to be able to see James Barbour work, and see how he has changes things now that it's opened.
#147re: A TALE OF TWO CITIES Reviews
Posted: 9/22/08 at 11:56amI was surprised at the negativity towards Natalie Toro. I thought she was great and her voice is just incredible.
A little swash, a bit of buckle - you'll love it more than bread.
#148re: A TALE OF TWO CITIES Reviews
Posted: 9/27/08 at 1:05am
Just got back from the show, and really enjoyed it.
Far from perfect, and yes... at any moment, you are waiting for the "Les Mis" score to start blaring thru the speakers, but there were some very good performances, and really thought Barbour was amazing !!!
Was in the second row, and wow... what a voice !!!
Just listening to people around me, everyone seemed to really like it.
I was nervous going in, due to the negative notices, but was very pleasantly surprised !!
#149re: A TALE OF TWO CITIES Reviews
Posted: 9/27/08 at 1:05amDouble post Updated On: 9/27/08 at 01:05 AM
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