A Tale of Two Cities—In Concert

Les Misérables was the obvious model for Jill Santoriello's musical adaptation—which had a brief Broadway run in 2008—of Charles Dickens's famed novel. This concert version, performed before a live audience, includes the majority of the musical numbers, but eliminates most of the linking dialogue, replacing it with narration delivered by actor Michael York. Although the performers appear in costume, no scenery is evident, and the orchestra—conducted by Michael Reed—is seated behind the singers onstage rather than in the pit. The libretto necessarily excises much of the book's detail, concentrating on the romantic triangle involving French nobleman Charles Darnay (Simon Thomas), lovely Lucie Manette (Brandi Burkhardt), and alcoholic lawyer Sydney Carton (James Barbour), who ultimately sacrifices himself to save his rival from the guillotine when the aristocrat is condemned through the machinations of radical Madame Defarge (Natalie Toro). Unfortunately, Santoriello's lyrics are more functional than inspired, while her music sounds like second-rate Andrew Lloyd Webber. Barbour easily steals what show there is as the cynical attorney, although Toro fumes and rages to considerable effect as Defarge. By contrast, Burkhardt and Thomas sing well but are wooden and dull presences. DVD extras include two additional songs and an interview with a descendant of Dickens. Connoisseurs of flop musicals may appreciate, but this is otherwise an optional purchase. (F. Swietek)