The View UpStairs
by Max Vernon

Name: The View UpStairs
Brand: Max Vernon
SKU: 9780573706653
Rating: 4.37 (19 reviews)

Off-Broadway

The View UpStairs Book Cover — The View UpStairs Cover

Highlights

Female

Male

105 mins Present Day Role(s) for Asian Actor(s) Interior Set Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes

Awards & Recognition

Drama Desk Award

Nominee: 2017 Off-Broadway Alliance Award, Best Musical Nominee: Three 2017 Audelco Awards, including Musical Production of the Year Nominee: Four 2017 Drama Desk Awards Nominee: Two 2017 Lortel Awards

Synopsis

When Wes, a young fashion designer from 2017, buys an abandoned building in the French Quarter of New Orleans, he finds himself transported to the UpStairs Lounge, a vibrant seventies gay bar.

As this forgotten community comes to life, Wes embarks on an exhilarating journey of self-exploration that spans two generations of queer history.

This smash off-Broadway hit features a gritty, glam-rock score and a tight-knit ensemble of unforgettable characters.

The View UpStairs asks 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.

Press Reviews

"Frequently moving and unavoidably uplifting!"
— AudreyJournal, Sydney

"Vernon’s score, which draws from the period’s disco, soft rock and glam sounds, is solid. Highly theatrical, unexpected and marvelous... channels a vintage camp that is all too rare nowadays."
— The New York Times

"A jambalaya of sexed-up tunes... The View UpStairs has all the ingredients for an iconic cult phonomenon."
— EDGE Media

"Vibrant! The View UpStairs is a moving homage to LGBT culture, past and present. The show swells with heart."
— Entertainment Weekly

"Absorbing, disarming, filled with biting laughs yet deeply moving in the most unexpected ways. The View UpStairs is an ambitious and deliciously dissonant score with excellent and unrelenting material."
— Richmond Times-Dispatch

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Patrick (early 20s) Young, runaway hustler who projects innocence and fragility, but is a lot tougher than he appears. Patrick creates fantastic, imaginative stories to distract from the harsher realities of his life. Has the ability to see a vulnerability and sweetness in Wes.	male	20s	(early 20s) Young, runaway hustler who projects innocence and fragility, but is a lot tougher than he appears. Patrick creates fantastic, imaginative stories to distract from the harsher realities of his life. Has the ability to see a vulnerability and sweetness in Wes.
Buddy (50s) The resident piano player of the UpStairs Lounge. Charismatic, but also very temperamental and somewhat bitter. Loves the attention he commands within the community, but also resents being stuck in it. Dreams of one day being a big star, but knows it will never happen. Closeted, with a wife.	female	50s	(50s) The resident piano player of the UpStairs Lounge. Charismatic, but also very temperamental and somewhat bitter. Loves the attention he commands within the community, but also resents being stuck in it. Dreams of one day being a big star, but knows it will never happen. Closeted, with a wife.
Willie (40s–60s, Black) Holdover from another era of gay life with a more camp sensibility. Might know all the secrets of the universe, might be in the early stages of dementia.	—	40s	(40s–60s, Black) Holdover from another era of gay life with a more camp sensibility. Might know all the secrets of the universe, might be in the early stages of dementia.
Henri (30s–40s) Tough as nails, no – nonsense, old school butch. Henri is the bartender of the UpStairs Lounge and runs a tight ship. Although she comes across as a bit severe, she cares very deeply for the community within the bar.	female	30s	(30s–40s) Tough as nails, no – nonsense, old school butch. Henri is the bartender of the UpStairs Lounge and runs a tight ship. Although she comes across as a bit severe, she cares very deeply for the community within the bar.
Freddy (20s–30s, Latino) A construction worker by day, Freddy also doubles as the drag queen Aurora Whorealis by night. Big personality, energetic, and bright. A close friend to Willie and on good terms with everyone else in the bar.	female	20s	(20s–30s, Latino) A construction worker by day, Freddy also doubles as the drag queen Aurora Whorealis by night. Big personality, energetic, and bright. A close friend to Willie and on good terms with everyone else in the bar.
Inez/Realtor (late 40s–60s, Latina) Freddy’s mother and also occasionally a mother to the other men in the UpStairs Lounge. Born in Puerto Rico, she moved her family to America when Freddy was still young. Lovable, warm and supportive, Inez assists with her son’s drag performances. As realtor, she is smarmy, fake, smiles too much, etc.	female	40s	(late 40s–60s, Latina) Freddy’s mother and also occasionally a mother to the other men in the UpStairs Lounge. Born in Puerto Rico, she moved her family to America when Freddy was still young. Lovable, warm and supportive, Inez assists with her son’s drag performances. As realtor, she is smarmy, fake, smiles too much, etc.
Richard (40s) Priest of the Metropolitan Community Church. Perhaps more conservative than other patrons in the bar, but level – headed and warm.	—	40s	(40s) Priest of the Metropolitan Community Church. Perhaps more conservative than other patrons in the bar, but level – headed and warm.
Dale (30s–40s) Arsonist. Sensitive and more radical in his sexual politics. A raw nerve and someone who’s experienced a good deal of hardship at society’s hand.	male	30s	(30s–40s) Arsonist. Sensitive and more radical in his sexual politics. A raw nerve and someone who’s experienced a good deal of hardship at society’s hand.
Cop (30s–40s) In the past the cop is a corrupt, homophobic, and violent. In the present, the cop is still stern, but has a sense of humor, and seems to be in service of justice.	—	30s	(30s–40s) In the past the cop is a corrupt, homophobic, and violent. In the present, the cop is still stern, but has a sense of humor, and seems to be in service of justice.
Optional Ensemble/Chorus Other patrons in the bar who round out the community. It is also possible to have the character of Richard played by a woman, in which case please use the name Rita Mae.	female	—	Other patrons in the bar who round out the community. It is also possible to have the character of Richard played by a woman, in which case please use the name Rita Mae.
Wes (mid-late 20s) Twenty-something fashion designer from the current day. Self-consciously hip, prematurely jaded and perpetually anxious. Wes wears a fabulous facade, but deep down harbors real insecurities and dissatisfaction with his life. Has never experienced real tragedy or love.	male	20s	(mid-late 20s) Twenty-something fashion designer from the current day. Self-consciously hip, prematurely jaded and perpetually anxious. Wes wears a fabulous facade, but deep down harbors real insecurities and dissatisfaction with his life. Has never experienced real tragedy or love.