The View UpStairs

See it if Interesting historical imagining on real LGBT tragedy. Great staging, costumes. Ensemble songs are great & fun. Touching for the most part.

Don't see it if The mains actor is excruciatingly unlikable. An overdone cliched performance. Acoustics are not the best. Some lyrics get lost.

Also What could have been a boy-meets-boy story becomes an unbelievable sweet-broken-boy-meets-entitled-drag-race-dropout-with-no-heart.
That's at the heart of the show and this miscasting plus the embarrassingly cliched lines the character spouts are engagingly grating.
Even his "change of heart" later is written in a entitled self-righteous way.
Meanwhile all other characters are relatable, well written and touching in their own different ways.
Frey is the revelation here. Amazing singer and actor. Looking forward to his next projects.... Read more Read less

See it if You like LGBT themed shows. The staging &set design are great and immerse you into the setting & there are some great musical numbers

Don't see it if The lead character is unfortunately not likable and some of the actors are not on the same level. It could also use 15min of trimming.

See it if You lived through the plague years or have an interest in musicals with a big heart that take on politics and civil rights. Great staging.

Don't see it if You don't like an "informal" setting. This is not interactive or immersive but very cleverly staged so you are right there in it.

See it if Vibrant musical slice of gay history well told (despite tragic ending) Book a little shakey but ultimately holds up Lead couple endearing

Don't see it if One or two songs less would tighten dramatic flow & supporting characters could be more finely drawn Set is a knockout but hinders dancing

See it if you like to learn about an historical event and be entertained by a hard working cast.

Don't see it if you cannot relate to a story being told with present day intervention.

See it if you're interested in forgotten events in LGBTQ history, curious how a real tragedy is musicalized, like stories about close communities

Don't see it if you don't like unremarkable music and passable lyrics in a rock vein, LGBTQ characters as retro-cliches and victims, predictable plots

Also The set is absolutely clever, wonderfully capturing the kitsch of the 70's, immersing part of the audience into the bar works well... Read more Read less

See it if Have some awareness of '70's gay community & want to learn more. Characters are fairly true-to-life "types", w tender stories, some sad.

Don't see it if You know what it's about & doesn't appeal. It's EXACTLY as it purports to be, w some classic musical tropes/songs. Nothing graphic/no nude.

See it if A tribute to lives lost in New Orleans Upstairs Lounge fire, Orlando Pulse massacre, and recent Oakland Ghost Ship fire is in your heart.

Don't see it if A portrayal of true to life characters just before lives were lost is too poignant.

See it if you like new musicals with LGBTQ themes and some moving wonderful performances in a fun immersive setting, off the beaten track.

Don't see it if you're bothered by a choppy plot, uneven singing of relatively unmemorable songs or LGBTQ themes.

Also I saw this show early in the run, and there were some really wonderful performances, and some that I think will grow stronger in time. There were some offkey moments that I hope will also improve. Cranky rant alert: I don't understand the new trend to not distribute Playbills until after the show ends, and I don't like it. Understanding the context of this show would have greatly enhanced my enjoyment of it. This practice is also a disservice to the performers, significantly diminishing the possibility that audience members will ever read their bios or even know their names. Meh.... Read more Read less

See it if A well performed, immersive musical set in a gay bar in New Orleans in 1973. Based on a true incident.

Don't see it if you have no interest in LBGT history. The show is somewhat formulaic, though always enjoyable thanks to winning performances.

See it if you want a little show that can. When its on target, it explodes with wit and enchantment. Serious at times.Nathan Lee Graham is amazing.

Don't see it if don't like in your face, Literally in your face, shows about the gay life with many cliched characters.

See it if You enjoy rock musicals that are both enjoyable as well as socially relevant. Great performances by a talented cast. Serious issue but fun

Don't see it if you are offended by open expression by members of the gay community or you prefer heavy drama to fun singing.

See it if Wish to know about a historical event in an inventive staging.

Don't see it if Tired of cliché characters.

See it if you want to visit your SOUTHERN past and sit for a spell.

Don't see it if you have NO IMAGINATION or ounce of whimsy about you!

See it if fun music, campy comedy, deeply-touching & historical scripts touch your heart. Teared-up 5x w/reminders of long-gone friends & loved-ones.

Don't see it if you want perfection & you don't have a feeling-bone in your body. It's not perfect, the 4th wall's obliterated, but it gives you a huge hug.

See it if you are interested in a little known tragedy that occurred in a New Orleans gay bar in 1973 told through the eyes of patrons in musical form

Don't see it if you are not a fan of serious gay subjects done in musical form.

See it if You love ensemble musicals. You want an investigation of the hardships of the past vs today's challenges.

Don't see it if You dislike shows with an element of fantasy. You want shows that promote change and action.

See it if You’d like a glimpse of gay bars and life in a pre-AIDS world; wit, camp & community contrasting with our isolated smart phone present.

Don't see it if You're completely homophobic can't suspend disbelief, don't like smart musicals sparkly lights or camp with serious intent under the glitter

Also Music & lyrics by is a short list, and so by any measure, Max Vixon’s work stands out for its catchy authentic melodies, witty rapid-fire lyrics and gorgeous vocal arrangements that showcase and make the most of the interesting, varied voices at hand and the full use of their ranges. A very full chorus from such a small number, with soaring unexpected harmonies and reaches jumping from different parts of the stage. It's not a stretch to say that the only contemporary composer that comes to mind or compares for reach or complexity is early Sondheim.

There’s a serious, intense and very relevant message in View, beyond its glitter and sparkly camp. A call to action, for community and for resistance, it’s a show that should be widely seen and experienced—especially by millennials and after, gay or straight, all those who are still apolitical in these highly political times. What will you do? it asks.

This isn't a perfect show, but it and its terrific cast are perfectly wonderful; see it.... Read more Read less

See it if Not all top shows are on Broadway. Revisit a tough period, and the celebration of love. Great actors. A production in a perfect setting.

Don't see it if Show may already be sold out

See it if You liked "Rent" and a good "pop-rock" soundtrack, you'll love this. Gr8 story-within-a-story. Very emotive. Entertaining' stop small a word

Don't see it if You dislike "historical" pieces, LGBT/drag queens, singing, small stage, SLIGHT immersive theatre. It's a must see. Sad endings. Must see!

See it if you enjoy immersive productions, LGBT stories, and original musicals with passionate scores! Part fantasy, history and refection. Go See it!

Don't see it if you don't like being up close and personal with a show or don't appreciate LGBT stories.

See it if a serious musical about a nightclub fire and those who are remembered and those forgotten by a resentful threatened society at the time.

Don't see it if a story of gay life bothers you and your not to sympathetic to their struggles.

See it if You have a heart, are open-minded, and enjoy semi-powerful musicals

Don't see it if LGBT topics are not to your liking

See it if You need to be in the space of this play, need to feel the emotion. A poignant reflection of tragedy but also a stunning hope of our future.

Don't see it if You aren't willing to shed a few tears and are not willing to invest in the never ending fight for community, love, acceptance & dignity.

See it if a campy, gay, and fun musical with a mildly preachy book. Also, if you like to be "transported"

Don't see it if you need the fourth wall separation to enjoy theater