Bway-Bound Tale of Two Cities to Have Premiere in FL

Jill Santoriello's long-gestating musical adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic A Tale of Two Cities will be presented at Florida's Asolo Repertory Theatre from October 13th through November 18th.

The production is billed as "the world premiere of a pre-Broadway musical event."  The musical features book, music and lyrics by Santoriello.  Michael Edwards, producing artistic director of the Asolo Theatre Festival, will direct.

"Set against the epic backdrop of the French Revolution and based on the classic Charles Dickens novel, A Tale of Two Cities is a sweeping musical about injustice, vengeance and the redemptive power of love. When Dr. Manette is released from the French Bastille after 17 years, he must be resurrected from the brink of madness by his daughter, Lucie. In England they meet two very different men: the exiled French aristocrat, Charles Darnay, whom Lucie marries, and the drunken cynic, Sydney Carton. Soon family secrets and political intrigue combine to draw Lucie and her family back to Paris. At the height of the Reign of Terror, the musical finds an unlikely hero in Carton, inspired by love to make an extraordinary sacrifice," as the show is described in concert notes from last year," as the show is described in press notes from a 2005 concert production. 

A Tale of Two Cities was announced in December of 2005 to be aiming for a late 2006 out-of-town tryout and Broadway bow, but those plans did not materialize.  The show previously received several concerts and workshops, as well as a concept recording.

The Asolo Repertory Theatre is located in the Florida State University Center for the Performing Arts in Sarasota, FL.  Visit www.asolo.org for more information.