A Tale of Two Cities to Debut at Sarasota's Asolo Theatre in October

Jill Santoriello's musical adaptation of A Tale of Two Cities, which had previously announced a 2006 Broadway opening date, will have its world premiere at the Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota, Florida, this fall. Previews will begin on October 13 for an October 19 opening, with performances continuing through November 18 at the theater's mainstage, the Mertz Theatre. Michael Donald Edwards, producing artistic director at Asolo, is set to direct.

Santoriello, who wrote the show's book, music and lyrics, has been developing A Tale of Two Cities for many years; the first major industry reading of the show was held in the summer of 2004. Santoriello has worked in a talent agency and in program development at Showtime Networks.

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 Carton, inspired by love to make an extraordinary sacrifice.

In addition to Edwards, the show's creative team includes Thommie Walsh choreography, Tony Walton scenery, David Zinn costumes, Christopher Akerlind lighting, Sound Associates sound, Wendy Bobbit Cavett musical direction and Edward B. Kessel orchestrations. The show's producing team includes Barbra Russell and Ron Sharpe, who have been attached to the project for the past two years, and Sharon A. Fordham.

After the show's Asolo run, the producers expect to book A Tale of Two Cities in two more cities before heading for Broadway. No casting has been announced.