The View UpStairs NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (236)
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 want an evening of amazing songs in an interactive setting. Based on true events.
Don't see it if A bunch of gay people in a bar offends you.
See it if You want to see a well crafted musical about a forgotten piece of gay history that is sadly all to relevant even 30+ years later
Don't see it if No reason not to see it unless you can't before it closes soon
See it if You want to be entertained, hear great voices and learn from an actual event
Don't see it if You don't like seeing musicals in small spaces
See it if You like great immersive sets, thoughtful musicals, interested in gay history
Don't see it if You do not like gay themed shows, Read more
See it if You enjoy creative staging, and incredible singing/acting. Also if you like shows examining the LGBT community, and different time periods.
Don't see it if You don't like shows with intense subject material based on true events.
See it if you'd like an intimate show based on a true tragic event in LGBT history, a bit fantastical but endearing with pleasant catchy music
Don't see it if you're unforgiving towards cliches or silly jokes, or not a romantic at heart
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 Read more
Critic Reviews (24)
"As memorable as the cast is, they’re backed up by Max Vernon’s catchy and moving songs. Everyone gets a turn, which is admirable, but certain songs land better than others...Jason Sherwood’s set design, aided by Andrew Diaz's props and set dressing, is outstanding...Just as Wes gets woke by the end, the production’s intent is clearly to have audiences not just walk out humming, but to fight back."
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“An imaginative, powerful, beautifully performed theater piece…The diverse cast is uniformly strong, in their acting, singing and dancing. The brunt of the performing, however, is borne by dynamic Jeremy Pope as Wes…The show has had an interesting journey so far. Developed in part at Rhinebeck Writers Retreat and at New York Stage and Film & Vassar at the Powerhouse Theater, it deserves further travel—to an uptown house."
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“There’s a lovely sweet and sour story enmeshed in ‘The View UpStairs’…Sadly, it is lost somewhere behind the heavy-handed book by Vernon and the over-the-top direction by Scott Ebersold…In general, the new group of actors haven’t found their groove yet as a unit. The larger, full-cast numbers were not harmonious or united but cumbersome, and everyone was far too over-the-top…I hope over time they come together and raise this show up again.”
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"Max Vernon’s musical is an engaging amalgam of magical realism and surrealism that allows the audience to see two histories counterpoint one another and inform each other 'from a distance'...Each of Mr. Vernon’s characters is well developed and represents both a unique character and a 'stock' character from the 1970s gay scene – a remarkable accomplishment for the musical’s creator and director Scott Ebersold...This is a musical with a matrix of authentic and engaging themes."
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"Thoroughly thoughtful and entertaining...Graham is a stunning performer. His work in this piece is a master class in the art of acting...Vernon is mostly wise to utilize the vocal talents of his cast...The score is terrific, but I wish that Vernon had showcased Davis a bit more...'The View UpStairs,' smartly directed by Scott Ebersold, is an important retrospective of the gay community: where we’ve been, where we are, and who we could—and should—be."
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"Vernon’s music is infectious and I dare you to see this show without dancing in your seats...The script, though a fairy tale of sorts, hits home...Director Scott Ebersold keeps this show sparkling and though we cry, we are not called on to be maudlin, but are brought to the point where we cannot forget...The cast is energetic and each individual has moments of shinning bright and making their mark...'The View UpStairs' is an uplifting reminder of our past."
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"Ultimately, Vernon’s musical adds up to a series of character portraits. Some are more lovingly detailed than others, just as some numbers are more memorable, but each character has their own distinct place in this time capsule of queer experience, and a story worth telling...Though the production ambles then pivots perhaps a bit too sharply under Scott Ebersold’s direction, one would be hard-pressed not to feel the force of the tragedy."
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"Max Vernon has scripted an exceptional story…The libretto has some holes. But some of these dramaturgical things can easily be patched up…The characters that Vernon has crafted are vibrant, leaping off the page…It’s the personal relationships that are formed that keep this musical afloat…‘The View UpStairs’ is a great work but what sets this musical apart is the magnificent production design…This incarnation of 'The View UpStairs' is not perfect. But it’s absolutely a must see.”
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