From Here to Eternity
From Here to Eternity is a musical based on James Jones’ novel of the same name. With music by Stuart Brayson, lyrics by Sir Tim Rice, and a book by Bill Oakes, the musical depicts the affairs of US soldiers stationed in Hawaii in the lead-up to the attack on Pearl Harbor.
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Stage Production Notes
The novel From Here to Eternity was first published in 1951, and quickly adapted into a film in 1953. Under the direction of Fred Zinnemann, the film featured a starry cast including Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, Frank Sinatra, Deborah Kerr, and Donna Reed. From Here to Eternity won 8 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay.
The musical adaptation was closer to the novel, and surprised audiences and critics by including swearing, nudity, and realistic depictions of homosexuality. The content offended some audience members who reportedly walked out during previews.
From Here to Eternity received mixed reviews. Variety’s David Benedict described the musical as visually spectacular, but thin on plot and substance. Michael Billington, writing for The Guardian, felt that while the musical was “Highly professional,” it was a “musical based on skilled professionalism rather than expressive need.” In a four-star review for The Telegraph, Dominic Cavendish stated that while it wasn’t “a major musical to rival South Pacific,” “I don’t think [the creatives] have done a bad job.” Alexander Gilmour's five-star review for the Financial Times declared "Notwithstanding the occasional corny blip... it feels grown-up. It has a certain grit. It's moving."
After a short six month run, From Here to Eternity closed on the West End on March 29, 2014.
The musical has developed somewhat of a cult following. Shortly after From Here to Eternity closed, it was ranked number 17 in the What’s On Stage Top 100 Musicals of All Time.
The musical received its North American premier at the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival in Auburn, NY, in June 2016. Although producers had hopes for a Broadway production, it did not eventuate.
A revised version of From Here to Eternity was staged at the Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine in October 2017.
A new version of From Here to Eternity produced by Aria Entertainment, Bill Kenwright, and Heartaches Limited opened for a limited engagement at the off West End Charing Cross Theatre on October 29, 2022. The new production was directed by Brett Smock, with musical direction by Nick Barstow, set and costume design by Stewart Charlesworth, sound design by Andrew Johnson, and choreography by Cressida Carré.
Writing for The Stage, critic Paul Vale stated that the production "ramps up the intensity," and with "Smock’s gritty traverse staging, everything seems amplified." Vale described the production as "formidable," and concluded "it has the energy of a prizefight, the pathos of doomed romance and the tension of a ticking bomb."
The novel From Here to Eternity was first published in 1951, and quickly adapted into a film in 1953. Under the direction of Fred Zinnemann, the film featured a starry cast including Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, Frank Sinatra, Deborah Kerr, and Donna Reed. From Here to Eternity won 8 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay.
The musical adaptation was closer to the novel, and surprised audiences and critics by including swearing, nudity, and realistic depictions of homosexuality. The content offended some audience members who reportedly walked out during previews.
From Here to Eternity received mixed reviews. Variety’s David Benedict described the musical as visually spectacular, but thin on plot and substance. Michael Billington, writing for The Guardian, felt that while the musical was “Highly professional,” it was a “musical based on skilled professionalism rather than expressive need.” In a four-star review for The Telegraph, Dominic Cavendish stated that while it wasn’t “a major musical to rival South Pacific,” “I don’t think [the creatives] have done a bad job.” Alexander Gilmour's five-star review for the Financial Times declared "Notwithstanding the occasional corny blip... it feels grown-up. It has a certain grit. It's moving."
After a short six month run, From Here to Eternity closed on the West End on March 29, 2014.
The musical has developed somewhat of a cult following. Shortly after From Here to Eternity closed, it was ranked number 17 in the What’s On Stage Top 100 Musicals of All Time.
The musical received its North American premier at the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival in Auburn, NY, in June 2016. Although producers had hopes for a Broadway production, it did not eventuate.
A revised version of From Here to Eternity was staged at the Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine in October 2017.
A new version of From Here to Eternity produced by Aria Entertainment, Bill Kenwright, and Heartaches Limited opened for a limited engagement at the off West End Charing Cross Theatre on October 29, 2022. The new production was directed by Brett Smock, with musical direction by Nick Barstow, set and costume design by Stewart Charlesworth, sound design by Andrew Johnson, and choreography by Cressida Carré.
Writing for The Stage, critic Paul Vale stated that the production "ramps up the intensity," and with "Smock’s gritty traverse staging, everything seems amplified." Vale described the production as "formidable," and concluded "it has the energy of a prizefight, the pathos of doomed romance and the tension of a ticking bomb."
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Filmed Live Production Notes
Towards the end of its original West End run, two nights of From Here to Eternity were filmed in front of a live audience at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London.
The Overture was re-mixed for the filming, and according to composer Stuart Brayson “a few” songs and scenes were cut from the final film.
From Here to Eternity was presented by several organizations including CineStage, Eternity Productions, Omniverse Vision, Fathom Events Production, Columbia Pictures, and The Fyzz Facility.
The live film of the musical was released across the UK on July 3, 2014, which coincided with the 60th anniversary of the 1954 Academy Awards when the film version won its 8 Oscars. The musical was also broadcast on Sky Arts on December 27, 2014.
From Here to Eternity was released in cinemas across the United States in early October, 2016, playing in 460 cinemas over three days.
The cinema screenings included behind-the-scenes footage at The Shaftesbury, and an interview with producer and lyricist Tim Rice.
Tim Rice hoped the screening would build interest for future productions of the musical. In an interview for TheaterMania ahead of the American cinema release, Sir Rice stated that “it’s fairly obvious” theatre should be filmed in order “to have something for the record.” Stuart Brayson hopes the film will find an audience with the young adult market.
The DVD (Region 2 only) was released in December 2014.
From Here to Eternity was added to the BroadwayHD inventory in December 2017.
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, in May 2020 the musical was made available to view for free on BroadwayHD for the duration of the Memorial Day weekend.
Between November 6 - 8, 2020, From Here to Eternity was available to stream for free on YouTube channel The Show Must Go On.
From Here to Eternity is available on DVD, and to stream on BroadwayHD, Broadway on Demand, and StagePlayerPlus (UK and Europe only).
Towards the end of its original West End run, two nights of From Here to Eternity were filmed in front of a live audience at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London.
The Overture was re-mixed for the filming, and according to composer Stuart Brayson “a few” songs and scenes were cut from the final film.
From Here to Eternity was presented by several organizations including CineStage, Eternity Productions, Omniverse Vision, Fathom Events Production, Columbia Pictures, and The Fyzz Facility.
The live film of the musical was released across the UK on July 3, 2014, which coincided with the 60th anniversary of the 1954 Academy Awards when the film version won its 8 Oscars. The musical was also broadcast on Sky Arts on December 27, 2014.
From Here to Eternity was released in cinemas across the United States in early October, 2016, playing in 460 cinemas over three days.
The cinema screenings included behind-the-scenes footage at The Shaftesbury, and an interview with producer and lyricist Tim Rice.
Tim Rice hoped the screening would build interest for future productions of the musical. In an interview for TheaterMania ahead of the American cinema release, Sir Rice stated that “it’s fairly obvious” theatre should be filmed in order “to have something for the record.” Stuart Brayson hopes the film will find an audience with the young adult market.
The DVD (Region 2 only) was released in December 2014.
From Here to Eternity was added to the BroadwayHD inventory in December 2017.
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, in May 2020 the musical was made available to view for free on BroadwayHD for the duration of the Memorial Day weekend.
Between November 6 - 8, 2020, From Here to Eternity was available to stream for free on YouTube channel The Show Must Go On.
From Here to Eternity is available on DVD, and to stream on BroadwayHD, Broadway on Demand, and StagePlayerPlus (UK and Europe only).
From Here to Eternity PRODUCTION CREDITS
Opening Date: Oct 23, 2013
Closing Date: March 29, 2014
Air date: July 3, 2014
Medium: cinema
Where to watch: BroadwayHD, Broadway on Demand, StagePlayerPlus (UK and Europe only), DVD
Theatre: Shaftesbury Theatre, London
Producer: Grant Calton, John Gaydon, Wayne Marc Godfrey, Frederik Elwing, Tim Rice, Lee Menzies, Austin Shaw
Music: Stuart Brayson
Lyrics: Tim Rice
Book: Bill Oakes
Director: Tamara Harvey, Film: Nick Morris
Musical Director: Tom Deering
Orchestrations: David White
Choreography: Javier de Frutos
Set and Costume Design: Soutra Gilmour
Lighting Design: Bruno Poet
Projection Design: John Driscoll
Sound Design: Mick Potter
Hair and Wig Design: Richard Mawbey
Stage Manager: John Caswell
Cast:
Robert Lonsdale (Private Prewitt), Darius Campbell (Sergeant Warden), Rebecca Thornhill (Karen Holmes), Siubhan Harris (Lorene), Ryan Sampson (Private Maggio), Martin Marquez (Captain Dana Holmes), David Stoller (Sergeant Ike Galovitch), Brian Doherty (Sergeant “Fatso” Judson), Marc Antolin (Private Clark), Warren Sollars (Private Anderson), Joshua Lacey (Private Isaac Bloom), Julie Armstrong (Mrs Kipfer), Jared Zeus (Radio Announcer)
The Men of G Company: James Ballanger, John Brannoch, Dale Evans, Shimi Goodman, Dean John-Wilson, Yiftach Mizrahi, Nuno Queimado, Adam Vaughan, Stephen Webb, Matthew Wesley
New Congress Club Girls: Christine Allado, Keisha Amponsa Banson, Abigail Climer, Jessica Ellen, Kirby Hughes, Lauren Ingram, Carolyn Maitland, Lucinda Shaw, Rebecca Sutherland, Laura Tyrer, Lauren Varnham
Opening Date: Oct 23, 2013
Closing Date: March 29, 2014
Air date: July 3, 2014
Medium: cinema
Where to watch: BroadwayHD, Broadway on Demand, StagePlayerPlus (UK and Europe only), DVD
Theatre: Shaftesbury Theatre, London
Producer: Grant Calton, John Gaydon, Wayne Marc Godfrey, Frederik Elwing, Tim Rice, Lee Menzies, Austin Shaw
Music: Stuart Brayson
Lyrics: Tim Rice
Book: Bill Oakes
Director: Tamara Harvey, Film: Nick Morris
Musical Director: Tom Deering
Orchestrations: David White
Choreography: Javier de Frutos
Set and Costume Design: Soutra Gilmour
Lighting Design: Bruno Poet
Projection Design: John Driscoll
Sound Design: Mick Potter
Hair and Wig Design: Richard Mawbey
Stage Manager: John Caswell
Cast:
Robert Lonsdale (Private Prewitt), Darius Campbell (Sergeant Warden), Rebecca Thornhill (Karen Holmes), Siubhan Harris (Lorene), Ryan Sampson (Private Maggio), Martin Marquez (Captain Dana Holmes), David Stoller (Sergeant Ike Galovitch), Brian Doherty (Sergeant “Fatso” Judson), Marc Antolin (Private Clark), Warren Sollars (Private Anderson), Joshua Lacey (Private Isaac Bloom), Julie Armstrong (Mrs Kipfer), Jared Zeus (Radio Announcer)
The Men of G Company: James Ballanger, John Brannoch, Dale Evans, Shimi Goodman, Dean John-Wilson, Yiftach Mizrahi, Nuno Queimado, Adam Vaughan, Stephen Webb, Matthew Wesley
New Congress Club Girls: Christine Allado, Keisha Amponsa Banson, Abigail Climer, Jessica Ellen, Kirby Hughes, Lauren Ingram, Carolyn Maitland, Lucinda Shaw, Rebecca Sutherland, Laura Tyrer, Lauren Varnham
Sources
Articles
Websites
Other
- David Benedict, “West End Review: ‘From Here to Eternity’” Variety (Oct 23, 2013)
- Michael Billington, “From Here to Eternity – review,” The Guardian (Oct 23, 2013)
- April Boyle, “Theater review: At Ogunquit, a Broadway-worthy ‘Here to Eternity’” Portland Press Herald (Oct 10, 2017)
- Dominic Cavendish, “From Here to Eternity, Shaftesbury Theatre, review,” The Telegraph (Oct 23, 2013)
- Olivia Clement, “From Here to Eternity Kicks Off U.S. Debut Run Today,” Playbill (June 29, 2016)
- Caroline Frost, “Tim Rice's 'From Here To Eternity' Musical Gets A Tweak For Cinema Audiences (INTERVIEW)” Huffington Post (July 3, 2014)
- Alexander Gilmour, “From Here to Eternity, Shaftesbury Theatre, London,” Financial Times (Oct 25, 2013)
- David Gordon, “Legendary Lyricist Tim Rice Readies From Here to Eternity for the Big Screen,” TheaterMania (Oct 2, 2014)
- Adam Hetrick, Mark Shenton, “From Here To Eternity Musical Will Be Taped for Cinema Broadcast; Is Broadway Next?” Playbill (March 25, 2014)
- Ben Hewis, “WOS100: The top 100 Musicals of all time!” What’s On Stage (May 6, 2014)
- Dan Marois, “BWW Review: FROM HERE TO ETERNITY at Ogunquit Playhouse,” Broadway World (Oct 9, 2017)
- Tim Masters, “From Here to Eternity: Sir Tim Rice unveils West End show,” BBC News (Oct 24, 2013)
- Rob Seitelman and Elaine Hom, “From Here to Eternity: To Censor or Not to Censor” BroadwayHD (Dec 15, 2017)
- Paul Taylor, “Review: From Here to Eternity - Sir Tim Rice's musical has many faults, but it wins you over” The Independent (Oct 23, 2013)
- Alex Wood, "From Here to Eternity to be revived in London this year," Whats On Stage (June 7, 2022)
- Paul Vale, "From Here to Eternity Review," The Stage (Nov 9 ,2022)
- Associated Press, “Tim Rice Keen to Relaunch 'From Here to Eternity' on Broadway,” Billboard (Oct 2, 2016)
Websites
- Facebook, "From Here to Eternity the Musical," Accessed via: https://www.facebook.com/FHTEMusical/
- Fathom Events, “From Here to Eternity,” Accessed via: https://www.fathomevents.com/events/from-here-to-eternity
- IMDb, “From Here to Eternity (1953),” Accessed via: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045793/?ref_=ttawd_awd_tt
Other
- Correspondence with Stuart Brayson (March 24, 2018)
Written by Luisa Lyons (December, 2017. Updated March, 2018; May 2020; June 2022; Nov 2022)