TV: 'A Tale of Two Cities' Ron Sharpe on Bringing Broadway Dreams to Life

As an actor Ron Sharpe made his mark on Broadway in such shows like Les Miserables, The Civil War and The Scarlet Pimpernel, he has just returned to the Great White Way, but not as a performer. This time he is the executive producer, along with his wife, actress Barbara Russell, of A Tale of Two Cities, the new musical which just opened on Broadway Thursday, September 18th. BWW TV spoke to him on the eve of the show's opening night about his nine year adventure in bringing A Tale of Two Cities and his Broadway dreams to life.

Set against the epic backdrop of the French Revolution and based on the classic Dickens novel, A Tale of Two Cities is a musical about injustice, vengeance and the redemptive power of love. A Tale of Two Cities comes to Broadway after making its debut last season at Florida's Asolo Repertory Theatre, where it had a hugely successful sold-out run.

Jill Santoriello has written the show's book, music and lyrics. The musical is being designed by Tony Walton (scenery), David Zinn (costumes), Richard Pilbrow (lights), Carl Casella and Domonic Sack(sound). Orchestrations are by Edward B. Kessel and Bob Krogstad; arrangements are by Edward B. Kessel andWendy Bobbitt Cavett.The musical's creative team has collectively garnered: 3 Tony Awards, 4 Drama Desk Awards, 1 Oscar Award, 1 Emmy Award, 2 Drama Logue Awards, 1 Obie Award, 17 Tony Award Nominations, 13 Drama Desk Nominations and 1 Grammy Nomination. The show is directed by Warren Carlyle.

A Tale of Two Cities is being produced by Barbra Russell and Ron Sharpe (Executive Producers), Bernard Brogan, Sharon A. Fordham, Theatre Associates/ David Sonnenberg / Rami Evar, The Monagle Group, Fanok Entertainment,Mary E. Laminack, Jim Barry, Gasperino Entertainment, Vincent Russell (Producers), and William M. Broderick, Edward B. Kessel, Harry Casey, David Bryant (Associate Producers). General Management for the show is provided by Town Square Productions, Inc.

A Tale of Two Cities is now playing at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street - between 8th & 9th Avenues).