TV: Telling 'A Tale of Two Cities' with Michael Hayward-Jones

Michael Hayward-Jones was a cast member of the Original Broadway production of Evita, his other Broadway credits include Me and My Girl and Brigadoon. He was recently seen in the Signature Theatre production of The Visit, the final main stage production of Signature's Kander & Ebb Celebration, a four-month festival devoted to the works of John Kander & Fred Ebb, the longest song-writing partnership in the history of the American musical theater. In A Tale of Two Cities he stars as Jarvis Lorry. In an ongoing series of BWW TV features with the cast of the new Broadway bound musical, he gives insight into his character, the life of a working actor and the gift of being part of the show's theatrical family.

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. 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 Sydney Carton. 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 and Wendy 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.

In the history of fictional literature, A Tale of Two Cities is arguably the most famous book titles on earth. Since its inaugural publication on April 30th, 1859, A Tale of Two Cities has sold over 200 million copies in several languages. It is the recounting of one of the most electrifying love stories ever written told against the backdrop of one of the most terrifying eras in human history.

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 will open on Broadway on Thursday, September 18th at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street - between 8th & 9th Avenues).

Preview performances begin Tuesday, August 19th. For more information visit, www.TaleMusical.com

Video shot and edited by E. Matthew Cady