A Tale of Two Cities – Broadway to Brighton????

It may have been one of the “worst of times” when it closed prematurely after only 66 performances on Broadway in November 2008, but producers are hoping to turn Jill Santoriello’s musical version of Charles Dickens’ classic novel A Tale of Two Cities into the “best of times” by transforming it into a 90-minute television special – filmed in Brighton of all places…

Recorded in front of an audience at the Theatre Royal in Brighton, the performance will consist of original music selections and scenes and the onstage footage will then be intertwined with scenes shot on location in London and Paris.

The resulting film of A Tale of Two Cities is expected to be shown on American television before the end of the year. And, while there’s no word yet a UK television broadcast, with period dramas in such demand, we should see the DVD release before long.

The musical – for which Santoriello wrote the music, lyrics and book – was well received when it first opened on Broadway last September. However, as recession hit, ticket sales took a tumble. Since closing, there has been much speculation about a national tour; although it’s looking likely the television adaptation will precede this.