The sweeping Dickens-inspired musical about a family separated by the French Revolution, seeks to bring back the Les Miz-style epic. Performances begin Aug. 19 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, currently home to Curtains. Official opening is Sept. 18. Casting has not been announced. James Barbour (Assassins, Jane Eyre) got raves creating the role of Sydney Carton in the developmental pre-Broadway run at Asolo Theatre in Sarasota, FL, in fall 2007.

Tickets for the Broadway run are available at TeleCharge.com and (212) 239-6200 or (800) 432-7250.

According to the producers, "Set against the epic backdrop of the French Revolution…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."

Warren Carlyle (an Encores! veteran, and choreographer of the world premiere musical Dancing in the Dark) will direct and choreograph.

The musical is being designed by Tony Walton (scenery), David Zinn (costumes), Richard Pilbrow (lights), Carl Casella and Domonic Sack (sound). Orchestrations are by Edward B. Kessel and Bob Krogstad; arrangements are by Edward B. Kessel and Wendy Bobbitt Cavett. A Tale of Two Cities is being produced by Barbra Russell, Ron Sharpe Bernard Brogan, Sharon A. Fordham, Theatre Associates-David Sonnenberg/Rami Evar, The Monagle Group, Joseph J. Grano, Fanok Entertainment, Mary E. Laminack, Nancy and Paul Audet, Jim Barry, Gasperino Entertainment, Vincent Russell in association with William M. Broderick, David Bryant and Harry Casey.

For more information visit www.TaleMusical.com.