Up Close On Opening Night: Tale Of Two Cities

By Christopher Moore, Broadway Magazine

It was the best of times, it was the best of times...so might have written Charles Dickens about the epic night that accompanied the epic opening of an epic musical. Jill Santoriello's Broadway musical based on the classic Charles Dickens' novel "A Tale Of Two Cities" had its official opening night at the Al Hirschefeld Theater, and Broadway.tv was there to capture every moment. As this special video shows, it was quite a night.

On the red carpet before the show, executive producers Ron Sharpe and Barbra Russell took a few minutes to talk with Broadway.tv about the heroic journey to Broadway. They are two of many who have given a large part of their lives to see this show reach Broadway, and tonight they are deservedly thrilled. "When we started our first general manager said you'll probably make it to Broadway because you don't know how difficult it is to do that," says Ron.

"We were too naive to know," laughs Barbra.

"Looking back, had I'd known what we were going to go through for nine years, I probably wouldn't have tried," confides Ron. The two share a look, a knowing smile crosses Barbara's eyes, and then they continue to talk about their passion for this show.

After the opening night performance, Broadway.tv spoke directly with three of the stars of this highly-praised cast. Still flush with the glow of adoration from the black-tie crowd, James Barbour talks about the fans of the show. "The audience has been amazing," James nods "Even from day one. That's who we do it for. They've been incredibly supportive, and we love them, we really do." Starring as the troubled attorney, Sydney Carton, James Barbour is giving one of those big-buzz Broadway performances that happen a few times each season.

The same can be said of castmate Arun Lazur, who is as honest as he is talented. He let's Broadway.tv in on a dark secret from his past regarding A Tale Of Two Cities, "I knew of the book, I read the book a little bit in high school. I don't think I made it all the way through. So, I went back to the book," he shares when talking about his preparation for the show.

As for his feelings about this opening night, he is elated. "It was an amazing night," Arun smiles, "We had the most amazing audience. It was a rush, man. It felt good."

Playing Dr. Manette, the brilliant Greg Edelman gets a King Lear moment directly from Charles Dickens as he reunites with his daughter in prison. Edelman tells Broadway.tv that the novel "was very fresh in my mind...I poured over it, because I knew every little detail would be important."

"The audience reaction tonight is what it's been every night," beams Greg as he talks about the performance and the standing ovations, "We get these amazing crowds...they watch the show, they laugh with it, they're very quiet, you hear them crying sometimes, and at the end they just stand up, and it's unbelievable. I've never had an experience like this. Night after night after night, the audience just stands up. They are so touched by the show."

Experience a black-tie, Broadway opening up close right here on our exclusive coverage of the opening of A Tale Of Two Cities on Broadway. The revolution has begun. See the whole video feature right here on www.Broadway.tv.