The nine-year-old who has trouble sounding out simple words and his classmate who is reading A Tale of Two Cities for fun sit in the same classroom day after miserable day, the one so frustrated by tasks he cannot do and the other so bored that both are near tears.

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James Barbour, who was last seen on Broadway in 2008's "A Tale of Two Cities, " is a sterling-silver musical-comedy baritone, and "Donnybrook!"

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"We're a tale of two cities now, " Jack says in a tone that's equal parts resignation and frustration.

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