All Day with the Baby

James Barbour is spending every second he can with his wife and new baby, but he asked me to still pass on this message to everyone (he wrote this last night, so "tomorrow" is really "today"):

"Day off tomorrow! I love to work and work hard but the good thing about tomorrow being our day off is that I get to spend it ALL with the newest member of our family.

"It's such a beautiful thing to look down and see that little face staring back at you.

"I can really get into the 'stroller' conversations now! I couldn't believe that JEEP actually makes a stroller. Wonder if it comes with a 100,000 mile limited warranty?"

Thanks for all the comments and congrats as well.

Miracles

Can I just say...Miracle!

I didn't have a chance to write an addition to the blog yesterday because immediately following the performance... I rushed to the hospital where my wife was giving birth to our baby.

It was the most amazing 12 hours of my life and to watch the strength with which my wife embraced this process left me dumbfounded. The fact that women have the fortitude to handle such a thing is beyond my comprehension. I am so proud of my wife for the strength she showed during the labor process.

So after what was an exhausting night... we have a beautiful baby girl with pudgy cheeks and dimples! She's amazingly healthy and alert and sorta looks like a little Buddha. My wife is likewise healthy and came through the process like a pro. She was glowing all day.

Today's rehearsal focused on some fixes with the Orchestra but Warren Carlyle, our esteemed director, quickly e-mailed me telling me to stay where I was and that he would see me in time for tonight's show.

So, I stayed put, held my baby for an hour, ran home, walked the dogs and rushed down to the theatre for the 8 pm curtain.

I've worked on very little sleep before but tonight I had only about 3 hours of sleep in me before the curtain.

It didn't matter though, the adrenaline rush of the previous night and following morning were enough to keep me going.

So here ya have it... Miracle. I am truly blessed.

Buddha Update

So I gave away the first of the A Tale of Two Cities memorabilia the other night. It went to an audience member from Toronto, Canada.

We spoke to the Vet about Buddha... we're gonna do some acupuncture and and put him on a supplement that should help a great deal. It will reduce any pain he has in his hips and allow him to have better mobility. This in turn, we were told, will help to rebuild his muscle mass.

This is all good news!

Great audience last night by the way... you guys are sooo terrific!

Thanks for all the support!

Garnier

This is post is special, as I have invited a special guest to share. Her name is "Ladyghost" and she hosts one of the most popular websites regarding the Phantom of the Opera on the Internet. She is also an expert regarding the Garnier - the Paris Opera House. Of course, we know it as the Opera Populaire in the Phantom of the Opera story, but it's the Garnier that holds the history and legend of Erik. Please welcome her as my guest, as she shares her knowledge regarding its history, its contents, and her many visits to places most people don't ever get to see! Welcome Ladyghost!

"The Opera Garnier…what a wonderful palace of Music and Elegante! I will explain something about its history, which is really interesting. Built between 1862-1875, its architect was Charles Garnier. He had been picked from among 171 contestants, and was relatively unknown although he had won the prize in 1848. He was only 35 when awarded with the design of the new Opera House. The origins of the idea for a new Opera House began when Napoleon III and his wife Eugenia suffered a terrorist attack on their way to the Opera Peletier. Napoleon decided to construct a new Opera with more security and secrets corridors where he and his wife could escape in case of another attack.

Garnier had numerous problems in order to create this building. When construction was finally started, it was quickly suspended after the discovery of an underground lake and spring. Although the problem was overcome, the lake persists and lies beneath the cellars of the building. Another obstacle was the Commune, considered as a Parisian civil war, which took place at 1870. After the Commune ended, the Opera did not receive any money to continue its creation, but when the only Opera building that existed in Paris caught fire, the new government had to subvention Garnier so he could continue with his work.

The Opera Garnier is a large building, with a total area of 11,000 square meters, 118,404 square feet and a vast stage with room for up to 450 artists. The auditorium itself comprises roughly half of the total space, most of the rest being used to house necessary logistical support so that the stage demands of any opera can be met and even surpassed. This can include live horses running on a rotating stage.

The words, numbers and history cannot be compared to the gorgeous sensation you feel when you see it in person. I have visited this building on several occasions (at least once per year) and every time the emotion is different. The huge façade…it has the splendor of a great gold Greek temple. I always contain my breath when I see it in front of me, and I am sure the same happens with persons who, like me, stare hypnotized and admire the shine of that building that involves all your view.

I like to sit in its staircases and contemplate the wonderful avenue filled with the lights of the night. At my side, I always find romantic couples, young musicians playing the guitar, children playing and laughing, tourists taking photos of every statue or column. I love being there, breathe deeply and feel that the world has stopped, that everything is fine in that moment. Then, even if I never notice it, I smile and close my eyes one second to realize that I am not dreaming - I am at the Phantom’s palace.

Its inside is like a fairytale, and it feels like you have entered in a new world full of new magic and sweet melancholy that absorbs all your soul. The orange lights, the huge mirrors, the perfect statues, the thousand of masks, everything composes a new universe where you wonder if it is real or not. I always feel I‘ve traveled through time, and I find myself at a masked ball of the XIX Century. If I close my eyes, I can even hear the music, the people laughter, the sound of the glasses, and the smell of the perfumes. The first thing I see when I enter is the Grand Scalier. I feel like a true princess when I go up through it and I think “He was here, he came up through this same stairs.”

I have the strange feeling and sense of him everywhere I go and that is a wonderful feeling, indeed. In that place, all your doubts about him and his life dissipate. I have had the good luck to enter in several times and sit in Erik’s chair (first row, right side). It is a great position. You can see everything, but in darkness, people cannot see you. I love to touch the column as Leroux advised us to do. I’ve never found the mechanism which Erik used, but who knows, maybe one day someone can find it. I always try to imagine him there, seated in his favorite chair admiring Christine’s acting and singing and wondering why she cannot love him.

In the floor below it, you can find my favorite statue: La Pithie. It’s the statue of one of the “fortune-tellers,” which Apollo had in at his temple. She is really beautiful, but strange and mysterious. No one seems to care about her, but she is my favorite corner at the building, together with the Grand Foyer. Garnier wanted to create something similar to the splendor of Versailles and he achieved it. In the Grand Foyer took place the Red Death scene, and it is easy to imagine him among the masked crowd in that golden corridor among plenty of muses and Greek gods.I can’t forget the wonderful chandelier or the Rotunda of Abonees. Below it, there is the first floor of the famous Opera cellars. I remember the first time I asked about them to one of the Opera staff. They told me they didn’t exist…another proof of the Opera strange secrecy about the Phantom’s subject. If you ask about him, no one will reply you. I achieved seeing the cellars years later thanks to a very special permission and since then I have been able to visit them twice. It is a wonderful place indeed. The shadows, the dark corridors, the sound of your footsteps, the stone columns, the echo of your own voice…It’s magical!

I always smile trying to see the Phantom’s shadow behind me, and I even glance behind because I have thought I had heard something. The most beautiful moment is when they showed me the lake, and I could see the little black fishes that live there! It seems the firemen give them food and clean the water once at year. I always stop in some points and touch the stone of the walls. I cannot help thinking, “I know you were here…maybe you touched this same stone I’m touching now.”

I had the chance to see the little dancers practicing with their teacher. They looked so glad! And what about the roof, with the great god Apollo? It’s easy imagine Christine and Raoul there…and did you know there are bees creating honey there too? You can buy a little bottle of it at the Opera merchandising. All this building has magic - a magic that involves you, submerges you in a new world full of romance, mystery, and masks."

Please feel free to visit her site: http://ladyghost.com

The Phantom's Student

Order Lessons From the Phantom of the Opera in Paperback Here

My Golden Buddha

Another great show last night. The changes we made in yesterdays rehearsal cut 5 minutes off the first act. The show is flowing.

OK... now onto the more important things... my dogs! We think that one of our Golden Retrievers (Buddha) has Hip Dysplasia which is a common ailment in this breed.

He's such a great dog with an amazing temperament and it just kills us to see him having difficulty. We're going to take him to the Vet this week and get him checked out. As we would with any member of our family, we'll do whatever it takes to get him fixed up!

There are some great supplements for hips and joints in large breeds and they've been a great help to Buddha over the past couple of years.

My aunt gave me a pillow a couple of years ago that says "My goal in life is to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am." So true!

Fun Idea

When I came out of the stage door on Saturday night I asked the crowd gathered who had traveled the furthest to see the show. I got responses ranging from New Jersey, The Bronx, Florida and California to London and Japan.

Then I thought so many people from all over the globe come to NY to see Broadway and in turn I wanted to do something fun for one person who has traveled the furthest.

So, once a week (maybe more often) I'm going to give out a piece of TALE OF TWO CITIES memorabilia, T-Shirt, hat or poster to the person who has traveled the furthest to see the show. The catch is that the person has to have some way to prove it. Who knows...you might just get some cool stuff!

So come to the stage door after the show to see if you won. I will do this from now through opening weekending (last night Sept 21st).

Stay posted for any other fun things I want to do that are still stewing.

Also, thank you everyone for the great comments, I have loved every one of them.

Back to Work

Back to work. Yesterday was a good day off...got an hour of cardio in during the day and took my wife to a nice dinner, she so deserves it!

I mentioned in yesterday's blog that my prep for TALE is different than that of the other show I work with Phil Goglia.

What's different is that 'Carton' lived in London in the late 1790's. He also drank excessively and basically didn't take care of himself. To that end I wanted to be very thin and not overly muscular.

So Phil put me on much the same dietary program but the gym routine was a bit different. I was to do a MINIMUM of one hour of cardio a day and no weights whatsoever. So I did...and I began to drop the weight. I continued to stretch and do a bit of yoga, flexibility is important to me.

I hurt my back in 1995 (herniated a disc) and I rehabbed by doing yoga so I keep that up daily as well. I wouldn't recommend cutting out the strength training, weights etc. because i think it's a good thing to keep in the daily routine.

I cut it out for this specific purpose and obviously had a precise goal in mind. Setting goals...another important thing in my life...(that and trying to figure out which stroller to buy for the baby). I've become a stroller aficionado!

Day Off and More About How I Got in Shape

First Day Off in two weeks.

As I mentioned we've been pulling 12 hours days for the last couple of weeks and today was a much needed day of rest. It did allow me to get back to my routine a bit, family stuff (my wife and I have a baby on the way), prepping the house for the arrival, bathing the dogs (which is always a fun) and getting to the gym. It was nice to do some exercise. Doing cardio is a great way to get the kinks out of the system. And Cardio is also a part of the plan the Phil Goglia set up for me.

So more about that:

I want to make clear here that everyone is different and has different needs. And Phil is the expert in this area thus naturally I can only tell you what he set up for me and how it's worked so far. If anyone is interested in the results you should contact a pro to help you, or call Phil in Los Angeles I'm sure he'd be eager to help. (Incidentally he also wrote a nutritional book called TURN UP THE HEAT).

So, when I first met with Phil he asked me a few questions such as what I was currently eating, how I was sleeping, what my goals were etc. Based on that and a couple of tests (including a blood sugar test), he developed a plan specifically for me. First and foremost was food. I increased my caloric intake from 1700 calories a day (I thought I was being "good" by not eating too much) to 2700 calories a day.

The key was the type of food I had to eat. Protein based foods, carbohydrates such as veggies and some form of fat (almonds etc) and cutting out the sugars. The latter was the most difficult. I'm a sugar nut...especially for Chocolate (and Jelly beans...the old kind not the gourmet ones). I changed from three Vegetarian meals a day to 6 meals a day, three big (which included eggs, chicken and fish) and three small "snacks" (which included apples, peanut butter and almonds).

Phil also added nutritional supplements to my plan such as Chromate, Liquid L-Carnitine, Vanadyl Sulfate, a Multi Vitamin and Calcium/ Magnesium. I was also told do do a minimum of 45 minutes of Cardio a day.

My goals at that time were different than they are for TALE. Back then in 2003 I needed to get "ripped" for a show that I was doing so Phil also had me doing an entire weight routine focusing on a different body part everyday. And a side note, for my food intake, I was allowed one day off a week to eat whatever I wanted. The interesting thing about it was that once I got into the swing of things, I never took a "day off" from the food. I felt so good that the idea of eating a Krispy Kreme (although the most amazing delicious doughnut in the world) just didn't carry the same impact. I wanted to stay on the plan and I did. It wasn't that hard either.

Phil makes up journal for you to follow. One is a food journal and the other is a workout journal. In just a short time in 2003 I went from 223 lbs and 24% body fat to 195 lbs and 14% body fat. And I felt AMAZING!

I also want to state here that this program is totally DOABLE for anyone. You just have to make it one of your priorities. Your physical health is vital and it is not something to neglect. I started slow and gradually increased my effort and those efforts paid off.

The most difficult part was eating enough of the right foods while I was "on the go" during the day. To this day i carry almonds and a piece of fruit with me in my car or bag and I keep the same in my dressing room at the theatre.

As I mentioned earlier, my goals for TALE are different and I'll talk about those tomorrow. Tomorrow is also "Paint Day" at the theatre so the crew will be repainting the stage therefore we'll be in a rehearsal studio for the day making all the necessary changes to implement in the show tomorrow night.

How I Prepared for A Tale of Two Cities

Edin has been doing a great job helping me get my blog rolling, and she may show up time to time whenever I am swamped but want to tell everyone about some exciting parts of the show. However I thought I would go ahead and try to take this over first hand.

So, last night, as I came out of the stage door, I was met by an interesting question, one which I get quite frequently: "How old are you?"

Don't know why it's such a big question that people have and I'm always rather surprised when people ask it. I sometimes respond with "How old are YOU?" Believe it or not the folks that ask me are hesitant to answer that one. Be that as it may, I usually always answer and often-times people are surprised to find out that I am as old as I am.

The next question that follows is "What do you eat?"

So I decided to dedicate these next few blogs to how I prepped physically for TALE this go round.

Let me start by saying that I've dropped over 27 pounds for A TALE OF TWO CITIES. When I came back to NY before rehearsal I was 6'3" and fluctuated between 226 & 227 lbs. I'm now stable at 199-200 lbs.

In looking at the show and the novel I wanted to make some changes physically to become more "Carton-esque." There is a spoken line within the show that the character of Lucy has; "We've got to fatten you up Mr. Carton, you're not eating enough." Plus given Carton's propensity for Drink I wanted to shed the pounds and become more physically in tune with Carton.

I'm already pretty healthy when it comes to my daily life, I exercise almost everyday, I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't even take aspirin. Aside from a bout of food poisoning a couple of years ago, I haven't been sick once in almost 6 years.

So where did I start for TALE? Well, I was referred to a great person in Los Angeles named Phil Goglia. Phil runs a company called Performance Fitness Concepts in Venice, California (www.PFCNutrition.com) and he is the guy responsible for helping me get into shape for this role. I had consulted with Phil once before on another project and saw how fast and how well his program worked... so calling him up for help with dropping weight for TALE was a no-brainer. So what did he do for me and in turn what did I do for myself?

Well it all starts with a consult and then food. What kind and how much. I never thought I'd say this but I increased my calories almost by half and started dropping weight in a HEALTHY way almost immediately.

I'll leave it here for now and continue with this prep-program over the next couple of days. Nutrition, overall physical and spiritual health are vital components to my life and therefore become an integral part of my working world as well.

Tweaks to A Tale of Two Cities

We will probably be hearing a lot about the "tweaks" that are going to happen to the show prior to its official opening in September.

James Barbour:

"Today we're working with the orchestra, fixing little things that we can't hear on stage or adding certain musical nuances to the orchestrations so that the actors can get a better feel of the music on stage.

"It's also a time when the sound department can make corrections.

"Carl, our sound designer, was standing on stage with the actors as we sang through some of the numbers with the orchestra. It allowed him to hear what we hear every night during the show. Two of my numbers, for example, were 'tweaked' orchestrally and also 'tweaked' in our sound monitors so that specific instruments became more prominent in the mix. This helps me to really key in musically through lines and hopefully make the song more powerful overall.

"All coming together to make the show even stronger.

"Another performance tonight."

Photo Call for A Tale of Two Cities

As you may or may not be aware, all those great photos that are used in promotion for a show are usually put together during a “photo call”.

Today will be the “photo call” for James Barbour and the rest of the cast of A Tale of Two Cities. Here is what he says:

“Today is Photo Call. Carol Rosegg, one of the best photographers I've ever had the pleasure to work with, is shooting the still shots of the show. Our publicist, Judy Jacksina, has created a ‘shot list’ of various scenes in the show which she wants to capture and Carol will be the one to shoot them.

“The cast will be in costume and make-up and we'll ‘stage’ the shots so that Carol can better actualize them on digital media. Carol has taken many live shots during the run through of the show (some of these can be seen from the Sarasota run of TALE and more of the Broadway shots will be out soon) but these new photographs will be staged so that we're sure that the final result is the best.

“Last night was our second preview... the audiences continue to amaze me!”

A Tale of Two Cities' First Preview

A Tale of Two Cities, James Barbour's current Broadway show (if you hadn’t figured that out by reading the blog so far), had its first preview last night. I have seen good initial reviews for it on Twitter, which is great.

This is the first time everyone gets to do the show in front of strangers (as opposed to the Gypsy Run-Thru) and see how the changes work and so on.

As you can imagine, James is very excited about this part of the process (he seems excited about all parts, just shows you how much he loves what he does) so here it is from him:

“First Preview!

“Last night was a SOLD OUT crowd for our first preview and I can't say how happy we all were to have such a great audience. We implemented some small changes that I think made a big difference and rode the wave to the curtain call.

“It was a glorious night.

“There was a small reception after the show for the cast and a few of the investors...it was a great gathering but one I had to exit early because we are back in the theatre at noon to continue the ‘fixes’ and I was in need of some serious sleep.”

By the way... totally correct answers on the GYPSY Run-Thru question! Thanks for commenting, feel free to ask questions or make comments at any time.

Gypsy Run Thru of A Tale of Two Cities

The Gypsy Run-Thru is done and James Barbour is all excited:

“Last night was our Gypsy Run-Thru and it was a terrific night.

“Having an audience in the house was such a pleasure. We've been running the show basically for ourselves, the creative team, the producers and such. Now with an audience we get to have the visceral response from them.

“The audience really teaches us what works and what doesn't in any show. Even when a show such as A Tale of Two Cities works on so many levels, it's important in this preview process to really take into consideration what is working and what can work even better. So to that end we continue to make changes everyday. Whether they are little "tweaks" in music, re-blocking a scene or cutting extraneous material, it all goes into making the show as powerful as possible.

“We're in the theatre at 12 noon today after leaving at around 11 pm last night and we are rehearsing every minute to implement those changes.

“With that in mind, I have to give a shout out to the crew of the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, they have become a part of this team and an integral part. There are very few automated set pieces in our show and thus most are moved by human power alone. This amazing group of technicians have been working even longer hours than the actors. They get to the theatre between 8 and 9 am and don't leave until after the show is done at night, after 11pm.

“They are amazing!”

Preparing for A Tale of Two Cities "Gypsy Run Thru"

Again, leaving this all to James Barbour:

“Well, we’re ready for an audience... at least an invited audience. Tomorrow we’ll be having friends and family come to see the show for the first time. It’s called a ‘Gypsy Run Thru’. It’s a good thing to add into the mix as the audience response is actually going to help us determine what we need to enhance or change in the show before we officially open in September. It’s a necessary part of the process for without the audience... there would be no show. They are who and what we do our work for, after all.

“It’s also an incredibly exciting time. You can hear the buzz of the crowd as they file into the theatre and settle into their seats in anticipation of what they are about to see. I’m always excited when I go to see a new piece because I know how hard everyone has worked in order to get the show to this point. I can tell you that those associated with A Tale of Two Cities have worked incredibly hard.

“We had a rather short rehearsal process, much shorter than we would have normally, in fact almost half of what a new Broadway show usually has. And in that short time Warren Carlyle, our amazing director, has taken this stellar cast to places I never thought imaginable. Tomorrow night is going to be a special night!

“By the way, this leads into a good trivia question for those reading this who are not in the theatre profession: Anyone want to take a stab at why it’s called a ‘Gypsy Run-Thru’?”

Stage

Today was a momentous day for your author. I finally saw the Phantom of the Opera presented by Broadway Across America on stage. Surpise! Yes, I've never seen the stage production until today. I've only read Leroux's book and watched the movie numerous times.

What can I say? I am now among the ranks of over 80 million who have seen the stage play. I was totally blown away by the singing, sets, and costumes. Richard Todd Adams was the Phantom, and his performance was outstanding!

The first hour, I have to be honest, I sat there with tears streaming down my cheeks as each act and song was performed. Music of the Night was tremendous. I probably shouldn't be surprised that I cried like a baby. After all, I've pretty much dissected the story on this blog and sunk my heart and soul into every post. My heart is wrapped around this story daily, too, as I roleplay on MySpace the character of Christine Daae. I've morphed myself into a Diva!

The ending was so moving that you could have heard a pin drop in the theater watching the heartbroken Phantom let Christine leave with Raoul. Of course, it was standing ovation at end and cheers unending for the cast. I will be blessed once more to see the stage production in Las Vegas at the Venetian in two weeks. To say the least, I am quite stoked to see that performance as well.

I know when Andrew Lloyd Webber put the stage production into movie form, a lot of the younger generation were quite thankful to finally be able to enjoy the story in movie theaters, mainly because seeing the stage production can be expensive. My ticket cost me $70 and that was for the cheap pre-sale orchestra section. I'm paying $125 a head at the Venetian. The movie version has taken the story around the world, along with the other 80 million who have seen the stage production as well.

There is no ending in site as this story continues to affect people worldwide. My blog, as you can tell, is pushing the 10,000 hit mark and has been read in over 52 countries. People searching on the Internet for articles, pictures, or songs continually drives traffic to this site. The Phantom of the Opera is a profound story that continues to make its mark, and I often receive comments from others how the story touches their lives.

I find it surprising too that many have not read the original work. Though it is a bit different, it is worth the read to give you a background on how this all originated. Also the two-disk CD of the movie has a wonderful history on why Andrew Lloyd Webber chose this story, and how he took it and formed into the success it became.

If you've never seen the stage play, all I can say is save your pennies, and if it comes locally go treat yourself. You won't be sorry.

Kindest regards,
The Phantom's Student

Order Lessons From the Phantom of the Opera in Paperback Here

Long but Great Day in A Tale of Two Cities

James Barbour just went on and on about yesterday's rehearsal, so I think I am going to just use all the great stuff he said:



“Today was a long but great day. We had the orchestra in the theatre and that added some amazing things to the mix. Running the show in costume with the set and lighting... we’ve taken the show to the next level.

“I’ve worked with some of the musicians in other shows so there’s a good rapport already existing. I have to say that I’m overwhelmed by the amount of hard work and dedication that this group of people; the musicians, the cast, crew and creative team continue to put into each day of work. It’s uplifting and inspiring. It makes me proud to do what I do.

“The theatre world is, in reality, a very small circle of people. In any given show you are bound to be working with people with whom you’ve worked before. That’s what makes this business so great. The support we have for each other is wonderful. Many of those whom I have worked with over the years, the creative staff, directors, composers, producers, backstage crew, management, actors alike have become like family. We attend functions together, family outings together; we laugh together and cry together. We support each other in times of need and cheer for each other in times of triumph.

“I am proud to be a part of this TALE team, this theatre community and this family of artists. We’re running the show twice tomorrow, looking forward to it.”

First Time A Tale of Two Cities All Together

The “previews” start for A Tale of Two Cities on August 19th, so I am sure you can imagine the LONG hours James Barbour is putting in right now.

Of course, this means that everything is finally getting tied together, all those pieces which up until now have been being worked on separately are, finally, all happening at once.

Yesterday was the day when all the planned lighting, sound, sets and everything gets thrown into the mix. Hopefully any minor bugs come up now so they can be fixed. Now the actors really get to see all the other creative parts of the show come to life.

James said:

“Today we finished 'teching' the show. The tech process is arduous at times simply because it’s the time when all of the elements of the show are integrated, the set, lighting, sound, costumes and make-up. But even though we’re pulling 12 hour days this, to me, is also one of the most exciting parts of the process. All the pieces begin to come together and the show really takes form. The orchestra is the last component added to the mix after the tech process is complete. So once tech is done the orchestra pit is fitted with microphones and set up for the musicians. Then we start running the show from start to finish with the orchestra in place. Tomorrow is going to be an exciting day."

Costumes for A Tale of Two Cities

James Barbour was excited to let me know that A TALE OF TWO CITIES got to see and wear their final costumes yesterday.

The costumes were designed by David Zinn and he has helped to bring the characters of this Dickens' classic to life on the stage with colors and textures that are stunning.

James wanted to share:

"The costumes, wow! David's designs are wonderful. We've rehearsed for so long in a studio wearing our regular 2008 street clothes that when we get to this point in the process it is always exciting.


"As actors we can bring our interpretation of the characters to life but in a 'period' piece such as TALE the costumes add so much. They serve to bring the reality of the 1700's to the forefront. My boots, for example, change the way I walk, my coat changes the way I stand and move on the stage. It's like adding history to our performances... the pain of the French Revolution and exquisite beauty of the love that swirls around this redemptive story has been literally painted in fabric by David Zinn and wearing these individual works of art is a treat beyond measure."

"Sitzprobe" for A Tale of Two Cities

As you can probably imagine, James Barbour is working extra hours to get ready for the previews for his new Broadway show A TALE OF TWO CITIES.

However there is so much fun and exciting stuff happening he wanted to share, I am going to help him get his blog mojo going.

What I heard today was all about "Sitzprobe" (I had to ask what it was and it is basically where the cast sits with the orchestra and runs through all of the musical numbers in the show for the first time. This is where they first get to integrate the entire show with the cast and musicians together, after all the rehearsing they have done separately).

James was asked about today's Sitzprobe and here's what he said:

"The wonderful thing for me about the Sitzprobe itself is that we get to hear the music in it's "raw" format. There are no sets, no lights or costumes...just the musicians, the instruments and the artists all in one room performing the music. Singing with a live orchestra is an incredible thing, it's like riding the biggest wave in the ocean trying to catch all its nuances as it crests and falls and then letting it wash over you and carry you safely to the shore. Even though I've sung this music before with an orchestra in Sarasota during our run at the Asolo Theatre many of the Broadway orchestrations have been enhanced making this epic music even more lush. It was truly a remarkable day."

James went on and on about how honored he is to work with this group of musicians. He is thrilled with their work saying that listening to them play the score of A TALE OF TWO CITIES is amazing.

Kevin Sties, the TALE conductor, has brought the cast and orchestra together in a powerful way and the music coming out of the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on West 45th Street is beautiful!

Previews for the show start on August 19th!!