The View UpStairs
Book, Music & Lyrics by Max Vernon
The View UpStairs draws you inside the UpStairs Lounge, a vibrant '70s gay bar in the French Quarter of New Orleans. This forgotten community comes to life in all its gritty, glam rock glory when Wes, a young fashion designer from 2017, buys the abandoned space, setting off an exhilarating journey of seduction and self-exploration that spans two generations of queer history. While Wes gets to know the joys and struggles of this exuberant and flamboyant community, he too learns about his place in the world.
Inspired by one of the most significant yet all-but-ignored attacks against the American LGBTQI community, The View UpStairs examines what has been gained and lost in the fight for equality, and how the past can help guide all of us through an uncertain future.
Played Hayes Theatre Co in Potts Point, Sydney from 8 February to 11 March, 2018
Co-Presented with Invisible Wall Productions
Book, Music & Lyrics by Max Vernon
Director Shaun Rennie
Musical Director Nicholas Griffin | Choreography Cameron Mitchell
Set Design Isabel Hudson | Costume Design Anita Yavich
Lighting Design Trent Suidgeest | Sound Design Neil McLean
Orchestrations James Dobinson | Vocal Arrangements Max Vernon
Assistant Director Tom Royce-Hampton | Fight Director Nigel Poulton
Stage Manager Cecilia Nelson | Asst Stage Manager Aidan Lam | Audio Engineer Anthony Lorenz
Producer Jenny Ainsworth | Producer Gus Murray
Starring
Henry Brett, Thomas Campbell, Nick Errol, Ryan Gonzalez, Martelle Hammer, Anthony Harkin,
David Hooley, Markesha McCoy, Madison McKoy, Stephen Madsen
Conductor/Keyboard Nicholas Griffin | Guitar 1 Ben Fink
Guitar 2 Alex Mateer | Bass Konrad Ball | Drums Tom Royce-Hampton
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Sydney Theatre Awards 2018 Nominations
Best Production of a Musical
Best Direction of a Musical - Shaun Rennie
Best Stage Design of an Independent Production - Isabel Hudson
Best Lighting Design of an Independent Production - Trent Suidgeest
“A gift for all of us who are striving for a more inclusive world…There’s a lot to be said for shaping a work with heart and humour to offer audiences both grief and hope, and Rennie has done exactly that.” ★★★★
— TimeOut Sydney
“Brilliantly told, flawless production…A stunning work that is uplifting and enlightening as it encourages the current generation to keep striving for equality, acceptance and inclusion.”
— Broadway World
“Sugary Rum Productions have taken an Off Broadway hit and given it a polished and well executed tackiness melded with a musical pizazz that audiences obviously adore, the season has been extended.”
— Sydney Arts Guide
“Casts a comprehensive spell from the minute you enter the room…Not just entertaining but frequently moving and unavoidably uplifting.” ★★★★
— Jason Blake, Audrey Journal
Gallery
Production Photography John McRae | Promotional Photography Johnny Nicolaidis | Poster Design Jeff van de Zandt
