{"id":49563,"date":"2017-01-24T14:20:53","date_gmt":"2017-01-24T19:20:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/first-look-at-the-view-upstairs-a-provocative-new-musical-about-a-tragic-moment-in-lgbt-history-watch\/"},"modified":"2017-01-24T14:20:53","modified_gmt":"2017-01-24T19:20:53","slug":"first-look-at-the-view-upstairs-a-provocative-new-musical-about-a-tragic-moment-in-lgbt-history-watch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/first-look-at-the-view-upstairs-a-provocative-new-musical-about-a-tragic-moment-in-lgbt-history-watch\/","title":{"rendered":"First Look at \u2018The View UpStairs\u2019, a Provocative New Musical About a Tragic Moment in LGBT History: WATCH"},"content":{"rendered":"

First Look at \u2018The View UpStairs\u2019, a Provocative New Musical About a Tragic Moment in LGBT History: WATCH<\/b><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

In June 1973, a fire broke out in a gay<\/a> bar in New Orleans\u2019 French Quarter. The fire at the UpStairs Lounge took 32 lives \u2014 bodies burned beyond recognition. Approximately 20 people escaped the blaze, which was set by an arsonist. The likely suspect was a customer who had been thrown out of the bar the night of the fire.<\/p>\n

RELATED:\u00a039th Anniversary Of The UpStairs Lounge Fire: VIDEO<\/a><\/em><\/h2>\n

Press coverage of the fire, which was the worst in New Orleans history, was brief, sensational. No city official would make a statement about it.<\/p>\n

A new musical about the UpStairs Lounge tragedy has been in development and the creators want to give Towleroad a first look behind-the-scenes at this provocative theatrical production written by\u00a0Max Vernon and directed by Scott Ebersold.<\/p>\n

ALSO:\u00a0Remembering the Upstairs Lounge: Artist Skylar Fein Resurrects a Tragic Event in New Orleans\u2019 Gay History<\/a><\/em><\/h2>\n

Write the creators: \u201cThe View UpStairs pulls you inside the UpStairs Lounge, a vibrant \u201870s gay<\/a> bar in the French Quarter of New Orleans. This forgotten community comes to life in all its gritty, glam rock glory when 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. Inspired by one of the most significant yet all-but-ignored attacks against the LGBTQ 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

The show begins an Off-Broadway run at Culture Project \u2013 The Lynn Redgrave (45 Bleecker Street) on February 26.\u00a0Previews begin on Wednesday, February 15 and the production runs through Sunday, May 21. Tickets are now on sale HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The cast includes Jeremy Pope, Taylor Frey, Frenchie Davis, Benjamin Howes, Michael Longoria, Ben Mayne, Doreen Montalvo, Randy Redd, Richard E. Waits, and Anthony Alfaro.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a sneak peek behind the scenes featuring Vernon and Ebersold talking about the show.<\/p>\n

Watch:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

The post First Look at \u2018The View UpStairs\u2019, a Provocative New Musical About a Tragic Moment in LGBT History: WATCH<\/a> appeared first on Towleroad<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n<\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a>\n<\/div>\n

\"\"
\n<\/p>\n

First Look at ‘The View UpStairs’, a Provocative New Musical About a Tragic Moment in LGBT History: WATCH<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n