a grand variety of musical styles put together with panache and some terrific wi
author: Andy Propst, AmericanTheaterWeb.com
An entry in the New York Musical Theatre Festival in '05, this show with music and lyrics by Timothy Huang takes the well-worn tale of a naïf new to New York and puts a charmingly fresh and often very amusing spin on it. "View" is a musical sung by one performer who's joined by another "character" – the street musician on the corner (Tim Byrnes provides the melancholy trumpet wails). The show's hero is played by Shonn Wiley, who uses his tenor voice to great effect. You smile when he's excited or flustered and when the writer is down, well, somehow, your emotions go right along with him. If a couple of Huang's lyrics don't work, it's easily forgivable because overall this sounds to be such a strong piece of writing – a grand variety of musical styles put together with panache and some terrific wit ("Actually, it was Amtrak, there was no turnip truck involved," replies the character at one point in answer to some unheard query). It should be interesting to see "View" resurfaces in production – until then, this is a great way to experience it.
Read more...
I saw this show in New York and fell in love...
author: Dawn
I saw this show in New York and fell in love, how excited was I to find it on CD! If you love Musical Theatre but are not familar with this show or the Composer Timothy Huang, trust me you won't be dissapointed. (Track 4 Five Days / Unstoppable is my favorite)
Read more...
Impressive, touched, amused, entertaining and riveting!
author: Rob Lester of Talkin' Broadway.com
My view on The View From Here is that it is impressive. I am not only impressed, but also touched, amused and - because of a dramatic turn in plot and tone that comes out of left field near the end - startled. The admirable music and lyrics are by Timothy Huang, all written to be sung by one performer. The task is handled with dignity and flair by the talented Shonn Wiley. He is sympathetic and engaging, sounding fully invested in the role throughout the recording.
Composer-lyricist Timothy Huang's numbers for this tale of a writer (this one does not find acceptance) in New York City alternate in mood. Some have hopes raised, some have hopes dashed. Even in the dashing there is variety, expressed as despair or humor. Shonn, who has been seen on Broadway in the 42nd Street revival and Dracula and in Ragtime at the Papermill Playhouse, is versatile. With an plaintive ache in his tenor voice, he can portray loneliness; pouncing on the jazzier rhythms, he embodies sunny good spirits. Using his acting skills and comic timing, he's particularly good at expressing the writer's boiling frustrations encountering annoying people and the hurdles of big city life. What really comes through is the humanity of the character. It's an honest performance as well as an entertaining and riveting one. Through vulnerability without self-pity, plus a healthy dose of charm, Shonn grabs the listener's interest and heart.
In reality, it's not quite a one-man musical show. The character of a street musician with whom the writer interacts, is present: his reactions are expressed solely through his trumpet playing. Tim Byrnes is the trumpeter and adds musical flavor and personality. Likewise, musical director David Epstein, playing piano throughout, does marvelous things. His sensitive work with nuanced timing goes way beyond simple accompaniment: his figures set moods, make comments and at times are a driving force. There are no other musicians on the recording, which is well produced by Michael Cassara (its casting director), Meredith Patterson (who was associate producer of the production) and the songwriter (who co-wrote the book with director Elizabeth Lucas).
Song highlights include the ebulliently catchy "Unstoppable" and "Don't Ask Why," a tour de force story song about the day job from hell. The powerful ending number, "Promise," is ardently sung by the star and then (in a bonus track) the songwriter provides a double dose of catharsis and philosophy. Hopefully, the hopeful View From Here will be seen again soon and sounds like it would be well worth a look. Likewise, be on the lookout for more from songwriter Timothy Huang and a standout singer-actor, Shonn Wiley.
Read more...