Broadway Jill Santoriello Visits CenterPoint Legacy Theatre

Jill Santoriello, the award-winning playwright and composer of the Broadway musical "A Tale of Two Cities" and a new show "It Happened in Key West", will be flying out from New York City to visit CenterPoint Legacy Theatre, where "A Tale of Two Cities" is presently showing to enthusiastic crowds.

"A Tale of Two Cities" received a 2008 Outer Critics Circle Nomination for Outstanding New Broadway Musical and Best Actor. "A Tale of Two Cities" also earned 3 Drama Desk Nominations and a Drama League nomination. Prior to Broadway, the world premiere production enjoyed a sold-out run at Florida's historic Asolo Repertory Theatre, winning numerous awards including Best Musical of the season. Jill is one of only two women in history to write book, music and lyrics for a Broadway musical.

Following Broadway, Jill adapted the musical and served as Executive Producer for the PBS special "A Tale of Two Cities - in Concert". The program was narrated by veteran actor Michael York, was filmed in the historic Theatre Royale in Brighton, England and featured many of the stars of the Original Broadway Cast.

"A Tale of Two Cities" has been produced in Seoul, South Korea (three times) Tokyo, Japan, Germany, Canada, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, England and the United States. The show continues to win awards and acclaim around the world with two NODA Awards for Best Musical for productions in Solihull, England and Tredegar, Wales and numerous nominations.

Jill is a self-taught musician who began composing music in her early teens - an outgrowth of having played piano by ear from the age of six. She wrote the first notes of music for "A Tale of Two Cities" when she was fifteen - more than twenty-five years before the world premiere - and pursued the dream of production while working full- time for thirteen years in original programming at Showtime Networks. She has a BS in Journalism from Ohio University, is a 6-time ASCAP Plus Award winner and an alumna of the distinguished BMI and ASCAP Musical Theater Workshops.

(Additional points of interest from Scott Montgomery, CenterPoint Legacy Theatre's Director of A Tale of Two Cities.)

Scott Montgomery:

"Through mutual friends, I had the opportunity to meet with Jill Santoriello in person last May in New York City. Jill wrote the script, as well as all the music and lyrics. (She is one of only two women in history to author all three elements).

The Opportunity to sit with a Broadway playwright and composer and discuss their work that you are about to direct is really incredibly unique. Meeting with Jill provided invaluable insight to the show. We discussed the challenges of mounting it on Broadway and she gave me a heads up on a few of the trickier elements. Most of all she shared her love for the story that in essence shows us how we can elevate ourselves from the lowest of lows to higher planes in order to help those in need and those we love. The entire musical is based around this theme of lifting oneself to greatness, through personal sacrifice.

Jill is one of the most giving and genuine people I have met. She has an amazing love and passion for this story and has stayed in contact with me throughout the entire rehearsal process. It is an amazing opportunity and a great honor to have Jill Santoriello come to Utah to support our show.

In keeping with Ms. Santoriello's generous nature, she will be hosting a Community Conversation, "A Journey to Broadway" at CPT on Saturday October 21st at 1:00. This is a free event. Ages 13 and above are welcome to attend and meet this remarkable woman.

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