"A Tale of Two Cities" another success for the Stage Center Theater

Presented for stage by NEIU's Stage Center Theatre, "A Tale of Two Cities" portrays a major period of French history and employs a lot of action and specific settings. Charles Dickens himself wanted to emphasize on this, rather than on the characters, but on April 17, NEIU's actors brought this play and the characters to life. Through the personal stories of the aristocracy and the peasantry, this play depicts the plight of these countering parts of society. All of the characters' destinies are intertwined and represent the social injustice, and power of love and friendship. In other words, the human relationships and quests in the most tumultuous of times.

The play is long and complex without a doubt, which explains its episodic nature. Taking this into consideration, as well as the use of old language, the actors did a great job embodying the characters. Without too many settings, but good use of lighting and an intricate authenticity to the costumes, the actors brought us back in time. In the beginning when Lucie meets her father, Mr. Defarge is asked to let some more light in the room. He turns back, "opens" a window, the light intensifies as the audience witnesses some good light directing. Moreover, the use of the music bites was significant. While the narrators talked, the music was "tale like." When the revolutionaries marched the music was loud and roaring. Besides the light and music directing, actors made very good use of the thrust stage. Coming from all sides of it and from behind the audience, the actors created a very intimate atmosphere, yrt remained professional at all times.

Their costumes looked as if they were the usual clothes they wear and the fake weapons looked real in their hands. The costumes were typical for the period and for their social class. The interaction between the actors was vivid and natural. There was no trace of uncertainty or instability in any word they said or in any move they made. Moreover, the actors managed to make the audience laugh during some of the more dramatic moments.

The overall care and attention to detail in the production really makes this adaptation of "A Tale of Two Cities" one to watch. The shows filled up the auditorium and the cast made sure each person left completely satisfied.