Madame Defarge – Inspired by Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities”; Book, Music and Lyrics by Wendy Kesselman; Directed by Ellie Heyman. Presented by Gloucester Stage Company, 267 East Main Street, Gloucester through June 2

 

The Gloucester Stage Company is opening its season in ambitious fashion, with the world premiere of Madame Defarge, an absorbing and well-staged new musical based on the character from Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities”. Powered by a fiery performance by Jennifer Ellis and committed work by a deep and talented supporting cast, the production overcomes a complex storyline (that may be confusing to those unfamiliar with the Dickens tale) to deliver a satisfying theatrical experience in the cozy confines of Gloucester Stage.

Read more “Strong Performances Lift Gloucester Stage’s “Madame Defarge””

 

By Sheila Barth

BOX INFO: Two-act, two-hour new musical, book, music and lyrics by Wendy Kesselman, inspired by Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities,” making its world premiere, with a Boston all-star cast, appearing at Gloucester Stage Company, now through June 2: Wednesday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday,Sunday, 2 p.m. 267 E. Main St., Gloucester. $35-$45, senior, 18-under years old, and other discounts. 978-281-4433, gloucesterstage.com.

For two hours, theatergoers sat hushed, in reverential silence. A woman in the audience wept, her tears heart-rending, in the final scenes of Gloucester Stage Company’s spectacular production of Wendy Kesselman’s new musical, “Madame DeFarge”. The deeply moving play is inspired by Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities”.

Read more “A Spectacular New Musical, ‘MADAME DeFARGE’ Ignites Gloucester Stage”