Broadway: A Tale Of Two Cities
• Drama Desk Award nomination: Outstanding Orchestrations
• Orchestrator/Arranger
• Associate Producer
• International Cast Album: Music Producer/Orchestrator/Arranger
• PBS International Concert: Music Producer/Orchestrator/Arranger
Ed Kessel earned a Drama Desk Award nomination for orchestrating and arranging the Broadway Musical, “A Tale Of Two Cities”, by Jill Santoriello. “A Tale Of Two Cities” hit the Broadway stage at the Hirschfeld Theater on August 19, 2008! Critics raved…”A Magical Musical,” “A thrilling experience,” “ The audience cheered, some even wept!” Every performance received a full house standing ovation. It’s based on the Charles Dickens novel and features lavish period costumes, dramatic staging and masterfully orchestrated musical numbers.
“It was such a treat! Beautiful voices, terrific performances, music, story, costumes and sets… I confess to wiping a tear from my eye at the end.”
-Julie Andrews
“Amazing show! I loved the orchestrations”
-Kathy Lee Gifford
“The best sounding show I’ve heard on Broadway!”
-Dennis DeYoung
NATIONAL REVIEWS
Lucinda Hawksley: “As a Dickens expert, Patron of the Charles Dickens Museum in London – and a great great great granddaughter of the novelist – I loved A Tale of Two Cities on Broadway. It was original, true to the novel and well cast. Of all the adaptations I have seen (and there have been a number!), this was the best!"
-Lucinda Dickens Hawksley
USA TODAY
The second coming of Les Miz!
-David Richardson
WOR Radio
It’s impossible not to be moved!
-Elysa Gardner
USA Today
Filled with talent and charm!
-Roma Torre
NY1
Awash with sound and fury!
-Michael Kuchwara
Associated Press
A BROADWAY MUST!
"Everything is here to stir the soul – young love, purity, vengeance, villainy, valor – all played out against historic revolution in song, spectacle and heartbreak.”
-Irene Backalenick
The Connecticut Post
Sensational!
"Tony Walton’s skeletal setting and impressionistic backcloths are ingenious. David Zinn’s costumes are stylish and Richard Pilbrow’s lighting is imaginative!"
-CLIVE BARNES
NY POST
Rousing and Engaging!
"The show’s best asset is James Barbour, a charismatic actor with a booming baritone that rocks the rafters. He’s matched in voice by lovely newcomer Brandi Burkhardt as Lucie Manette, Gregg Edelman stands out as the goodly Dr. Manette. Designed to be a crowd pleaser, there is no denying A TALE OF TWO CITIES’ succeeds."
-ROMA TORRE
NY1
James Barbour has remarkable range and color.
"Tony Walton smartly moves the story through hundreds of locations throughout Paris and London. And that’s just before intermission!"
-LINDA WINER
NEWSDAY
Truly winning!
"Barbour displays matinee idol showmanship and a genuine flair for old-fashioned melodrama."
-MATT WINDMAN
AM NEW YORK
It's got a rousing score
"The company is first-rate and the story's noble sacrifice, beautifully realized by Jill Santoriello, doesn't leave a dry eye in the house."
-IRENE BACKALENICK
THE CONNECTICUT POST
September 2008
A tremendous, magnificent grand new musical.
"It was the best of times” at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre. A lush production. A TALE OF TWO CITIES has earned a special place in the history of the theatre. The music is excellent. Directed and choreographer with brio and warmth by Warren Carlyle. The cast of 40 is one of the best ensembles I’ve seen on stage."