'A Tale of Two Cities' Premieres at Sarasota, Oct.13

The first performance of Jill Santoriello's new musical A Tale of Two Cities, is scheduled for Saturday, October 13.  The world premiere pre-Broadway try-out runs through Sunday, November 18 at the Asolo Repertory Theatre's mainstage, The Harold E. and Esther M. Mertz Theatre in Sarasota, Florida (5555 North Tamiami Trail).

A Tale of Two Cities features a book, music and lyrics by Santoriello; directed by Michael Donald Edwards, choreographed by Warren Carlyle and designed by Tony Walton (scenery), David Zinn (costumes), Richard Pilbrow (lights), Carl Casella and Domonic Sack (sound).  Musical direction is by Jerry Steichen and orchestrations by Edward B. Kessel and Bob Krogstad.

"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," describe press notes, "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."

The cast stars James Barbour (Sydney Carton), Craig Bennett (Jerry Cruncher), Joe Cassidy (Ernest Defarge), Janine Divita (Young French Woman), Kevin Greene (Gabelle), Tim Hartman (The Turnkey), Michael Hayward-Jones (Jarvis Lorry), Derek Keeling (Charles Darnay), Jodie Langel (Mrs. Cruncher), Jay Lusteck (Attorney General), Katherine McGrath (Miss Pross), Les Minski (Marquis St. Evremonde), Walter Winston Oneil (Cronie), Rob Richardson (Gaspard), Rebecca Robbins (Vengeance), Jessica Rush (Lucie Manette), Alex Santoriello (Dr. Manette), Wayne Schroder (C.J. Stryver), Natalie Toro (Madame Defarge) and Nick Wyman (John Barsad).

Tickets are $18-$56, or Gala Premiere tickets are $130.  For tickets call 941-351-8000 or 800-361-8388 or visit www.asolo.org/tickets/buy_tickets.asp

Performances are Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8PM; and Sundays at 2PM.  Other 2PM matinees are October 25 & 31; November 3, 7, 10, 14 & 17.  For more information visit www.ATaleof2Cities.com