From Here to Eternity (musical)
From Here to Eternity | ||
---|---|---|
Book Bill Oakes | | |
Basis | From Here to Eternity by James Jones | |
Premiere | 23 October 2013Shaftesbury Theatre : | |
Productions | 2013 West End 2016 New York 2022 Off West End Revival |
From Here to Eternity is a
Jones's novel From Here to Eternity was a best-seller and well known for its successful movie adaptation. Jones's manuscript was heavily censored by his publisher to remove profanity and references to gay prostitution; the unexpurgated version was not published until 2011. Once it was, composer Stuart Brayson thought it might be adapted as a musical, and proposed the project to Tim Rice, who acquired the stage rights and wrote the lyrics.
The musical was announced in May 2011 and opened on 23 October 2013, a year later than originally planned. The West End production stars
Synopsis
The musical is set in 1941, at the
Background
The basis of the musical is the 1951 novel From Here to Eternity by James Jones.[12] In 1941, Jones was serving with the US Army in Hawaii, at the time of Pearl Harbor, and the novel was loosely based on his experiences[13] in the 27th Infantry Regiment.[14] It focuses on the lives of a group of soldiers in the months leading up to the attack,[15] in particular Private Prewitt, a boxer who no longer wants to fight having blinded an opponent, and Sergeant Milt Warden, who has an affair with the wife of his commanding officer.[16]
James's story was censored by its publisher,
The idea for the musical came from Stuart Brayson, who had been sending cassette tapes with music ideas to Tim Rice since they had first met in the 1980s,[25] when Brayson was a member of the band Pop.[26] In 2002, Brayson sent Rice a tape of music and lyrics to form the basis of a stage version of From Here to Eternity.[26] Rice liked the idea but only intended to produce the show,[27] however after Bill Oakes had been hired to write the book gaps appeared where new songs were needed and some no longer fitted within the context of the show.[27] Rice agreed to write around six new songs,[28] but ultimately ended up writing around 90% of the show's lyrics inspired by Brayson's original lyrics.[26] On the subject Rice said: "Stuart's were very good, but they weren't theatrical and there is a difference. I often wish I could write great rock lyrics, but I can't, however, I can do reasonable lyrics within the context of a show. There are people who can write good tunes, but few who can do theatrical lyrics."[28]
In May 2011, Tim Rice and Lee Menzie announced that an adaption was being planned.[29] Rice acquired the stage rights at an initial cost of around US$40,000,[30] with the intention of opening the show in London the following year.[31][32] Although the show did not ultimately open until 2013, a workshop of the show took place in 2012.[27]
As the show is based on the uncensored novel released in 2011, rather than the 1953 film adaptation,[6] it contains references to prostitution and gay sex, as well as the Army's investigation into them, that the film did not feature.[27] The right to create the musical adaptation came with the condition that it had to be based on the original book. James Jones's daughter Kaylie and son Jamie were in the audience for the show's opening night in London. During its preview period some people walked out of the performance, having been unprepared for the nudity and swearing in the production.[33] Darius Campbell who played First Sergeant Milt Warden, said that the "James Jones novel really portrayed homosexuality and prostitution in the way that it existed in those days and we've dived in head first. Maybe some of the nudity, swearing and explicitness have been too much for them, but a younger audience and an audience who have loved the film – and wanted to see more – have been giving us standing ovations and for that we are all grateful."[34] Kaylie admitted they had doubts about the idea of the show when it first came up, but added that "I'm thrilled—it's so sophisticated and moving." She also noted that she "was so delighted they put in the gay bar scenes, because my dad said this is just the way it was back then" and that "my father would have been amazed".[34]
Themes
The show contains many adult themes,
Production history
West End (2013)
On 26 October 2012, producers announced that the show would play the Shaftesbury Theatre[14] from September 2013,[12] with tickets going on sale in April.[38] The show has a book by Bill Oakes and is directed by Tamara Harvey,[39] with choreography by Javier De Frutos, orchestrations by David White, set and costume design by Soutra Gilmour, lighting design by Bruno Poet and sound design by Mick Potter.[40] The musical features an original score,[41] with music by Stuart Brayson and lyrics by Tim Rice.[42] The musical adaption marked Rice's first entirely new show since Aida[43] and Brayson's first West End musical.[44] Former US Marine Ray Elliott, also head of the James Jones literary society, was hired to ensure an accurate picture of military life for the era. Elliott read the script to ensure it was realistic, ran military drills, taught the cast how to salute all ranks and how to hold rifles correctly.[6] The show received its first public outing as part of West End Live in June 2013,[45][46] with star Robert Lonsdale singing "Fight the Fight".[47]
On 1 July 2013, full casting was announced with
On 29 November 2013, it was announced the production would close on 26 April 2014,[54] after a 7+1⁄2-month run, with the possibility of reopening at another theatre.[55] The closure was later brought forward a month to 29 March.[56][57] To mark the 72nd anniversary of Pearl Harbor on 7 December 2013,[58] the cast joined with The Military Wives choir for a special post curtain rendition of the song "The Boys of '41".[59]
US Premiere (2016)
June 29, 2016 saw the production's US premiere at the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival in New York.[60]
Off-West End Revival (2022)
A newly revised production played the Charing Cross Theatre from 29 October 2022 to 17 December 2022.[61] The production was directed by Brett Smock, with orchestrations and new musical arrangements by Nick J Barstow, set and costume design by Stewart J. Charlesworth, choreography by Cressida Carré, lighting design by Adam King, projection design by Louise Rhodes-Brown, and casting by Jane Deitch.[62] This production was significantly different from the original West End one, with a completely rewritten book and lots of changes made to the musical numbers, since the female ensemble was cut and the cast size reduced.[63]
Music
Brayson's music features a mix of
Musical numbers (2013 West End production)
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Musical numbers (2022 Off-West End revival)
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Recordings
From Here to Eternity the Musical Live Cast Recording | |
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Soundtrack album cast recording by Various | |
Released | 3 July 2014 |
Length | 1:03:59 |
The song "Fight the Fight" from the show was recorded and released by
Cast album
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Overture" | 2:19 |
2. | "G Company Blues" | 3:36 |
3. | "Thirty Year Man" | 3:03 |
4. | "Another Language" | 3:05 |
5. | "Don'cha Like Hawaii" | 3:28 |
6. | "You Got The Money" | 2:53 |
7. | "Marking Time" | 2:44 |
8. | "Fight The Fight" | 2:42 |
9. | "Run Along Joe" | 3:28 |
10. | "More Than America" | 4:00 |
11. | "Thirty Year Man (reprise)" | 3:51 |
12. | "Love Me Forever Today" | 3:33 |
13. | "I Love The Army" | 4:52 |
14. | "Ain't Where I Wanna Be Blues" | 2:45 |
15. | "Maybe" | 3:58 |
16. | "Something In Return" | 3:34 |
17. | "The Boys Of '41" | 2:56 |
18. | "Almost Perfect Lie" | 2:58 |
19. | "Finale – G Company Blues/ The Boys of '41" | 4:14 |
Principal roles and cast members
Character | Original West End Cast (2013)[65][72] | Off-West End Revival (2022)[73] |
---|---|---|
Private Robert E. Lee Prewitt | Robert Lonsdale[47] | Jonathon Bentley |
First Sergeant Milt Warden | Darius Campbell
|
Adam Rhys-Charles |
Karen Holmes | Rebecca Thornhill | Carley Stenson |
Lorene | Siubhan Harrison | Desmonda Cathabel |
Private Angelo Maggio | Ryan Sampson | Jonny Amies |
Captain Dana Holmes | Martin Marquez | Alan Turkington |
Sergeant Ike Galovitch | David Stoller | Rhys Nuttall |
Sergeant "Fatso" Judson | Brian Doherty | Leonard Cook |
Private Clark | Marc Antolin | Callum Henderson |
Private Anderson | Warren Sollars | James Mateo-Salt |
Private Isaac Bloom | Joshua Lacey | Jack Ofrecio |
Mrs. Kipfer | Julie Armstong | Eve Polycarpou |
Critical reception
Michael Billington of The Guardian noted that the original novel had helped offset overly heroic images of the American soldier, but in the wake of Abu Ghraib, the view of the military was already mixed, "why now, and what does music add to the story?"[74] Simon Edge of the Daily Express deemed the show "a commendably ambitious work that makes a refreshing addition to the West End menu."[8] Paul Taylor of The Independent suggested, "For all the show's many defects, though, you come away impressed by its seriousness of purpose".[9]
Taylor praised the music: "Brayson's catchy score, which moves deftly through swing, blues, jazz and early rock'n'roll can rise to good old showbiz brassiness when needed".[9] Henry Hitchings of the Evening Standard gave a mixed view of the music, "There are seductive melodies and a couple of genuinely catchy songs. But it never settles into a single confident idiom, and between the big numbers there are lulls, especially in the overlong first half."[75]
Taylor predicted on 24 October 2013, "Wags have quipped that it should be called From Here to November. But I reckon it's going to survive quite a bit longer than that."[9]
Awards and nominations
On 6 December 2013, it was announced the production had received four
Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | WhatsOnStage Awards | Best New Musical | Nominated[82] | [83] | |
Best Actor | Robert Lonsdale | Nominated[82] | |||
Best Supporting Actor | Ryan Sampson | Nominated[82] | |||
Best Choreographer | Javier de Frutos | Nominated[82] |
Notes
References
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- ^ "The Show". From Here to Eternity the Musical. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
- ^ Thompson, Warwick (25 October 2013). "Lovers Dodge Pearl Harbor Attacks in Tim Rice Musical". bloomberg.com. Bloomberg. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
- ^ Lukowski, Andrzej (23 October 2013). "From Here to Eternity". Time Out. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
- ^ Dunn, Carrie (24 October 2013). "FROM HERE TO ETERNITY, Shaftesbury Theatre, October 19, 2013". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
- ^ a b c Cohen, Stefanie (10 October 2013). "Tim Rice's Musical 'From Here to Eternity' to Open in London". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
- ^ Coveney, Michael (23 October 2013). "From Here to Eternity". WhatsOnStage. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
- ^ a b Edge, Simon (24 October 2013). "From Here to Eternity at the Shaftesbury Theatre - review". Daily Express. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
- ^ a b c d Taylor, Paul (24 October 2013). "Review: From Here to Eternity - Sir Tim Rice's musical has many faults, but it wins you over". The Independent. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
- ^ Cavendish, Dominic (23 October 2013). "From Here to Eternity, Shaftesbury Theatre, review". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
- ^ "From Here to Eternity". The Stage. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
- ^ a b "Tim Rice musical set for West End". BBC News. 26 October 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- ^ Page, Benedicte (5 April 2011). "Censored gay sex in From Here to Eternity restored for new edition". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
- ^ a b Shenton, Mark (26 October 2012). "From Here to Eternity, Musical Version of the Novel, to Open at West End's Shaftesbury Theatre in October 2013". playbill.com. Playbill. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
- ^ Bosman, Julie (4 April 2011). "Author's Heirs Uncensor a Classic War Novel". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
- ISBN 978-0-385-33364-1.
- ^ a b c "From Here to Eternity uncensored 60 years later". bbc.co.uk/news. BBC News. 6 April 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
- ^ Jones, Kaylie (10 November 2009). "Was a WWII Classic Too Gay?". The Daily Beast. thedailybeast.com. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
- ^ Kellogg, Carolyn (5 April 2011). "Profanity and more to be found in uncensored 'From Here to Eternity' e-book". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
- ^ "National Book Awards – 1952". National Book Foundation. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
- ^ a b c Benedict, David (23 October 2013). "West End Review: 'From Here to Eternity'". Variety. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
- ^ W., A. (6 August 1953). "THE SCREEN IN REVIEW; " From Here to Eternity' Bows at Capitol With Huge Cast, Five Starring Roles". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
- ^ Hal Erickson (2013). "From Here to Eternity (1953)". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
- ^ Gritten, David (9 September 2010). "From Here to Eternity: Why 'Eternity' will endure for ever". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 11 September 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
- ^ "Tim Rice: How to get ahead in musicals". The Spectator. 19 October 2013. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
- ^ a b c Rees, Jasper (28 September 2013). "Sir Tim Rice: "I never wanted to do another show"". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
- ^ Sunday Times. thesundaytimes.co.uk. Archived from the originalon 20 December 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
- ^ a b Easdale, Roderick (25 September 2013). "Eternity's worth waiting for" (PDF). Country Life. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
- ^ "Tim Rice & Lee Menzies present From Here To Eternity, a new musical version". West End Theatre. 27 May 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
- ^ Amer, Matthew (9 October 2013). "In Conversation: From Here to Eternity's Tim Rice and Stuart Brayson". Official London Theatre. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
- ^ "Rice Goes From Here to Eternity with 2012 Show". WhatsOnStage. 27 May 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
- ^ "Musical Version of From Here to Eternity to Hit the London Stage in 2012". Broadway.com. 27 May 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
- ^ "Sir Tim Rice returns to the West End with new musical". bbc.co.uk/news. BBC News. 17 October 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
- ^ a b Masters, Tim (24 October 2013). "Sir Tim Rice unveils West End show". bbc.co.uk/news. BBC News. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
- ^ Lukes, Edward (24 October 2013). "From Here To Eternity at the Shaftesbury Theatre". The London Magazine. thelondonmagazine.co.uk. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
- ^ Bosanquet, Theo (21 October 2013). "Brief Encounter with... From Here to Eternity's Darius Campbell". WhatsOnStage. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
- ^ "From Here To Eternity at the Shaftesbury Theatre". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
- ^ "Box office opens today for From Here to Eternity musical premiere". WhatsOnStage. 5 April 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
- ^ Hemley, Matthew (26 October 2012). "Tim Rice musical From Here to Eternity set for 2013 run at the Shaftesbury Theatre". The Stage. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
- ^ "Cast & Creative Team". From Here to Eternity the Musical. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
- ^ Nikkhah, Roya (25 March 2012). "Sir Tim Rice on his new musical and working with Andrew Lloyd Webber". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
- ^ "From Here to Eternity musical premieres at West End's Shaftesbury Theatre, Oct 2013". WhatsOnStage. 25 October 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
- London Evening Standard. 19 June 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
- ^ Wolf, Matt (29 October 2013). "Across a Span of Realism in London Theater". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
- ^ "Trafalgar Square marks 350 years of West End theatre". BBC News. 24 May 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
- ^ "Tim Rice Introduces FROM HERE TO ETERNITY at WEST END LIVE 2013!". BroadwayWorld. 22 June 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
- ^ a b Bosanquet, Theo (24 June 2013). "Robert Lonsdale plays Private Prewitt in From Here to Eternity". WhatsOnStage. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
- London Evening Standard. 1 July 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
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- ^ Marlowe, Sam (17 October 2013). "From Here To Eternity is the perfect mix of heroes and hula". Metro. UK: Metro. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
- ^ "Run Time". twitter.com. From Here To Eternity. 5 October 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
- ^ "From Here to Eternity posts West End closing notices for April". WhatsOnStage. 29 November 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2013.
- ^ a b Peterson, Tyler (2 December 2013). "Military Wives Choir to Make Special Appearance at FROM HERE TO ETERNITY this Weekend". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
- ^ Shenton, Mark (21 January 2014). "West End's From Here to Eternity to Shutter at Shaftesbury Theatre". playbill.com. Playbill. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
- ^ Hemley, Matthew (22 January 2014). "From Here to Eternity to close even earlier than planned". thestage.co.uk. The Stage. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
- ^ "Military Wives perform with Eternity". Official London Theatre. 2 December 2013. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
- ^ Dunn, Carrie (9 December 2013). "Photo Coverage: Military Wives Sing With Cast Of FROM HERE TO ETERNITY". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
- ^ Clement, Olivia (29 June 2016). "From Here to Eternity Kicks Off U.S. Debut Run Today". Playbill. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
- ^ "From Here To Eternity at Charing Cross Theatre". Charing Cross Theatre. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
- ^ "From Here To Eternity". Retrieved 17 October 2022.
- ^ Stewart, Greg (8 November 2022). "Review: From Here to Eternity at The Charing Cross Theatre". Theatre Weekly. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
- ^ Smith, Sam (25 October 2013). "Will Tim Rice's New Musical Last From Here to Eternity?". The Londonist. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
- ^ a b "From Here to Eternity the Musical". Shaftesbury Theatre Programme: 24. October 2013.
- ^ a b "From Here to Eternity the Musical". Shaftesbury Theatre Programme: 26. October 2013.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (26 February 2013). "Michael Ball CD, 'Both Sides Now,' Features New Songs by Tim Rice, Andrew Lloyd Webber Plus 'Suddenly' from 'Les Miz' Film". Playbill. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
- Michael Ball. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
- ^ Cerasaro, Pat (11 July 2013). "Teal Sings New FROM HERE TO ETERNITY Track". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
- ^ Cerasaro, Pat (10 February 2014). "Tim Rice Confirms FROM HERE TO ETERNITY Cast Recording". broadwayworld.com. BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
- ^ Cerasaro, Pat (4 August 2014). "FROM HERE TO ETERNITY Cast Recording Out On CD Today". broadwayworld.com. BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
- ^ Dunn, Carrie (1 July 2013). "Darius Campbell, Siubhan Harrison and More Star in FROM HERE TO ETERNITY". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
- ^ "Full cast for From Here to Eternity musical revival revealed | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
- ^ Billington, Michael (23 October 2013). "From Here to Eternity – review". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
- London Evening Standard. 29 October 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
- ^ "New musicals, The Audience, Grandage and Lloyd seasons lead 2014 WhatsOnStage Awards shortlists". WhatsOnStage. 6 December 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
- ^ Brown, Mark (6 December 2013). "Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint up for WhatsOn Stage awards". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
- ^ "Book of Mormon, Harry Potter stars and Open Air Theatre among 2014 WhatsOnStage Award winners". whatsonstage.com. WhatsOnStage. 23 February 2014. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
- Laurence Olivier Award. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
- ^ Brown, Mark (10 March 2014). "Olivier awards 2014: musicals lead nominations". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
- ^ "Olivier awards 2014 – full nominations". The Guardian. 10 March 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
- ^ a b c d Singh, Anita (23 February 2014). "Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint win at WhatsOnStage Awards". telegraph.co.uk. The Telegraph. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
- ^ "The full 2014 WhatsOnStage Awards shortlists". WhatsOnStage. 6 December 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
External links
- From Here To Eternity's channel on YouTube
- From Here to Eternity on Twitter