Warren Carlyle to direct 'A Tale of Two Cities'

Executive Producers Barbra Russell and Ron Sharpe have signed Warren Carlyle, to direct and choreograph Jill Santoriello's sweeping musical epic, "A Tale of TWO CITIES" which 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. 
 
Rehearsals begin Monday, July 14th, Bastille Day.
 
MR. CARLYLE  created the musical staging for "A Tale of TWO CITIES"  when it was originally produced in an out-of-town tryout at the Asolo Repertory Theatre where it played to standing-room-only audiences in October and November of 2007.  His New York credits include Juno (Encores! at City Center), Stairway to Paradise (Encores! at City Center), You Again (NY Fringe), Working (Zipper), Slut! (ATA), Roundabout 40th Gala 2006 and the first 24 Hour Musicals at the Public Theater. Regionally he has choreographed Mame (Kennedy Center), The Pirates of Penzance (Goodspeed - Connecticut Critics Circle Award for Best Choreography - and Paper Mill), The Baker's Wife (Goodspeed) and Pageant (Second City).  In his native England his work has included Me and My Girl (UK tour, director as well – Best Production 2007 Theater Goers' Choice Award); The Goodbye Girl, (1st Nat'l tour), Pageant (Vaudeville Theatre), Moving On (Bridewell Theatre) and Scrooge (European tour).  He is represented on film & television by Deception (20th Century Fox), Hope and Faith (ABC), An Evening at the Boston Pops (PBS) and Elton John's "Made in England" video.  As Associate Choreographer he has contributed to The Producers (Broadway & film), Oklahoma! (Broadway) and Center Stage (film). As a  Resident Director/ Choreographer Mr. Carlyle's productions have included Jolson (London & Toronto), Fosse (London) and Oklahoma! (London). He most recently choreographed the Old Globe production of Dancing In The Dark on a pre-Broadway run in San Diego.

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.
 
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.
 
In the history of fictional literature, A Tale of TWO CITIES is arguably the most famous book title 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.