Very Long ‘Tale of Two Cities,’ Indeed

“The storm must take some time to build before the lightning strikes,” cautions a vengeful peasant woman in the new musical adaptation of “A Tale of Two Cities” at the Madrid Theatre in Canoga Park.

Creators Jerry Cahill and Jim Ineson have taken her words fartoo much to heart. Shooting for the epic scope and grandeur of “Les Miserables,” this sprawling octopus clocks in at three hours and 20 minutes, sporting 36 characters, 12 scenes and 44 songs. Unfortunately, per Charles Dickens’ immortal opening, it was the worst of times.

The complexity of Dickens’ plot (which tracks events in Paris and London before meandering its way to the bloody French Revolution) is underserved by this effort’s limited musical range (mostly pop / rock). On occasion, Cahill and Ineson display proficiency with the pivotal revelations that can be expressed only in a carefully crafted musical number, but most of the musical passages are sung dialogue that gain little from the transposition.

In Jon Berry’s ambitious but painfully overreaching staging, the Woodland Hills Community Theatre ensemble deserves credit for commitment and energy, but the results fall far short of professional standards (despite three Actors’ Equity cast members). As the cynical, self-sacrificing Sydney Carton, sympathetic George Almond is forced into a register beyond his vocal range. Bonnie Robertson, as the aforementioned revolutionary zealot, best signals the motives behind her lyrics; others make do with aiming for the notes. Berry memorably appears as a Marquis belting out a rockabilly ode to decadence--comic relief akin to the Herod number in “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

But “Superstar” runs two hours shorter. It would have been a far, far better thing to pare this one down to a length and scope more suited to its accomplishments--and more respectful of an audience’s time.

*

* “A Tale of Two Cities,” Madrid Theatre, 21622 Sherman Way, Canoga Park. Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2:30 p.m. Ends June 6. $16. (818) 884-1907 . Running time: 3 hours, 20 minutes.