![Progressive Theater presents "The View UpStairs" June 25-26 at The Woodland](https://www.newjerseystage.com/events2021/TheViewUpstairs.jpg "Progressive Theater presents "The View UpStairs" June 25-26 at The Woodland")
(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- Progressive Theater presents The View UpStairs by Max Vernon on June 25-26 at 7:30 at The Woodland in Maplewood. This musical takes a fictional approach to the 1973 arson attack on a gay club in New Orleans called the Up Stairs Lounge.
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.
Tickets range from $15-$80 are are available for purchase online. NOTE: this production is for mature audiences & includes the use of strong language; suggested age range is 18 and over. This show has haze/fog effects.
** Video shows original Broadway cast. **
The cast for Progressive Theater's production includes Autumn Jones, Demetrius Kee, Jo Wymer, Randy Campo, Dan Drew, David Rivera, Jr., James DeVoursney, Michael Giorgio, and Tommy Nichols.
Autumn Jones (Henri) - Autumn is a singer-songwriter from Maplewood, New Jersey, and a recent graduate from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. The soulful R&B she creates is an expression of her life experiences as told through her stories and in each of her songs, which are available on all major platforms. She has had success performing in the Boston area at venues such as City Winery, Ryles Jazz Club, Midway Cafe and Hard Rock Cafe. She's also had recent success in New York City, New Jersey and Spain with her performances at Silvana in Harlem, Rockwood Music Hall in Manhattan, Radio City in Valencia and the annual Maplewoodstock festival in NJ. Autumn has also had the amazing opportunity to open for R&B Artists Vivian Green and Jon B. at the acclaimed South Orange Performing Art Center. Her recent release, "Bittersweet" was selected as a finalist in the Tracks Music Awards for Best Music Video. She is excited to challenge herself in returning to theater her first ever major role in a musical.
Demetrius Kee (Willie) - Demetrius recently was seen in the HP21 Short Play Festival as Robert in the play Till Death Due we Part? His other credits include Going Viral (Deathdrop4dkids/Voice4), Dante (Devon), Sister Act (TJ), The Mountaintop, Once upon a Mattress (Jester/Nightingale), Big River: The Musical (Crossing Soloist (u/s)/Ensemble), Gospel at Colonus (Oedipus Singer), Houdini among the Spirits: The New Musical Equity Workshop (Ensemble), and Patterson Falls (Robert Edmund Jones).
Dan Drew (Cop) - Born in Newark, NJ, Daniel is an actor, singer and traditional Irish Dancer. He began performing at a young age, first in his local church choir, and then at a number of productions at Rutgers University in Newark. He later went on to attend Rutgers University where he sang for the Rutgers University Men's Glee Club under the direction of Dr. Patrick Gardner, performing such works as Straivnsky's Oedipus Rex, Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht's Das Berliner Requiem, and the Brahms Nanie. In the last few years his focus has shifted back toward the theater and he has performed in several regional productions, most notably appearing as Huey Calhoun in Vanguard Theater Company's production of Memphis: The Musical as well as playing Paris in the New York Musical Theater Festival production Searching for Romeo.?
Jo Wymer (Inez/ Realtor) - Jo is a 2x AMA award winner & 2x Grammy nominee for her original music written for TV & Film. Love to Dan & son, Hudson Eder. Recent credits: National & International touring cast of In The Heights (Abuela Claudia), Mamma Mia (Rosie Mulligan), and Every Wednesday Night (Teresa/Gloria Genovese).
Randy Campo (Patrick) - Randy is a NYC/NJ based actor/performer. He is delighted to be making his Progressive Theatre debut in The View Upstairs. A 2021 Rutgers graduate, his favorite theatre credits include: She Loves Me (Arpad), Sweeney Todd (Tobias), Legally Blonde (Emmett), Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), and Godspell (All Good Gifts) for which he received the 2018 BroadwayWorld Regional award for Best Actor in a Musical. Sending love to his family and Craig, for their endless support. Heartfelt thanks to Gregory for this opportunity as well the entire cast and crew of TVU.
David Rivera Jr (Freddy) - David is an actor, director, and educator who is currently pursuing a BA Theatre degree with a teaching certificate from Kean University. His favorite acting credits include dEAD dOG pARK (Ricky), Sunday in the Park with George (Franz/Bob Greensburg), Sister Act (Eddie Souther/Dance Captain), and Anna in the Tropics (Palomo). His directing credits include Take Down the Fence and Time Flies from Directors Workshop. He would like to thank everyone involved in making this production happen, as well as his family and friends for their constant support.
James DeVoursney (Dale) - James is honored to make his debut with Progressive Theater! His previous work includes Todd in The UVX by Luxury Universal Experience, The Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz at Saint Michael’s Playhouse, and Warren in Ordinary Days. James also toured as a Tour Actor/Director with Missoula Children’s Theatre. He has a BA in Theatre and Psychology from Saint Michael’s College. When not performing. James is working towards his EMT certification.
Michael Giorgio (Buddy) - Select NY Theater: Polikushka (Polikushka) – Gallery Players; Czestochowa Musical Chairs (Jewish Father) – Gene Frankel Theater; Gravitity-A Test (Robert) – Kraine; Myth (Agrestos) – Horace Mann Theater; Slumming It (James “Biff” Ellison)–Dixon Place Regional: More Fun Than Bowling (Mr. Dyson) – 12 Miles West; Darkness To Light (Schindler) – 12 Miles West; TheNormal Heart (Ned Weeks) – George Street 99; America For Sale (Blaze/God) – PEP Film: 3 Dollars (Eddie) – Phat Cat Films; The Divine Instrument (Ben) – ReelRegal Prods.; Pocket Full of Sunshine (Diner Owner) – King Mountain Prods. TV/Webisode: Ghosts of Fort Greene (Eddie) – The Arthouse Many voiceovers for radio/tv commercials, audiobooks, animation, web narration/tutorials, historic exhibits, celebrity impersonations.
Tommy Nichols (Richard) - Tommy has appeared on stage in NYC and around the country, in GODSPELL, CABARET, THE PRODUCERS, PECOS BILL, TORCH SONG TRILOGY, and THE PIED PIPER, among many others. He often performs cabaret shows at Don’t Tell Mama in NYC, and hopes to return there again sometime soon in post-pandemic times. Tommy wrote shows for ABC's Disney Saturday Morning, including DOUG, PB&J OTTER, and STANLEY. His play, INCIDENT ON WEST 43RD STREET, was showcased in 2019 at Equity Library Theater. Tommy spent his early years in theater following in the footsteps of Matthew Broderick, always called in to audition when Matthew was moving on to his next great project. This experience features prominently in the new musical Tommy is writing about his own life, titled (what else?) THE TOMMY SHOW. He lives in South Orange, NJ, and considers his 3 adult children, Kate, Max and Harry, his greatest accomplishment in life!
The Woodland is located at 60 Woodland Road in Maplewood, New Jersey. This venue offers accessible parking and is a wheelchair accessible venue with wheelchair accessible seating available.
