Far from Heaven (musical)

Far From Heaven is a 2013 musical with a book by Richard Greenberg, music by Scott Frankel, and lyrics by Michael Korie. The musical is adapted from Todd Haynes's 2002 film of the same name.[1] The musical tells the story of Cathy Whitaker, a 1950s housewife, living in wealthy suburban Connecticut as she sees her seemingly perfect life begin to fall apart. The musical deals with complex contemporary issues such as race, gender roles, sexual orientation and class.[2]

Far From Heaven
MusicScott Frankel
LyricsMichael Korie
BookRichard Greenberg
BasisFar From Heaven
by Todd Haynes
Productions2012 Williamstown
2013 Off-Broadway

Production

The musical had a developmental premiere at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in July 2012. Directed by Michael Greif, the cast starred Kelli O'Hara and Steven Pasquale. Michael Korie explained the concept: "It's a mostly-music musical — in a Rodgers and Hammerstein vein, where you take the characters seriously. You don't write genre cream-puff songs. You write from character."[3]

The musical premiered Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons on June 2, 2013 where it ran until July 7, 2013. Directed by Michael Greif, Choreographed by Alex Sanchez, the production starred Kelli O'Hara as Cathy Whitaker, Steven Pasquale as Frank Whitaker, Isaiah Johnson as Raymond Deagan, Nancy Anderson as Eleanor Fine, Quincy Tyler Bernstine as Sybil, J.B. Adams as Dr. Bowman/Morris Farnsworth, James Moye as Stan Fine, Alma Cuervo as Mona Lauder, Sarah Jane Shanks as Doreen/ Connie, Mary Stout as Mrs. Leacock and Jake Lucas as David Whitaker.[4]

Plot

In a suburb of Hartford, Connecticut in 1957, Cathy Whitaker is an upper-middle class wife, mother and homemaker. She finds out that her husband Frank has had secret homosexual desires, which he has fulfilled. Her world is shaken but she cannot confide in her friend Eleanor. The widowed black gardener Raymond Deagan attempts to comfort her, but she is put off by gossip about them. Frank and Cathy seek help from the psychiatrist Dr. Bowman, in an attempt to "cure" Frank of his homosexual desires.

Musical numbers

Source: CurtainUp[5]

Critical response

The TheaterMania reviewer wrote: "Frankel and Korie blitz the audience with a barrage of dreamy and reflective songs with complicated harmonies, but rarely do those numbers reach a boil or satisfying resolution... Greenberg hews remarkably close to the original plot and that is a good thing in that it maintains the thing that sets 'Far From Heaven' apart from the myriad gay dramas...:The story doesn't focus on the trials and tribulations of Frank as a closeted gay man but the effect his closet has on the people around him."[6]

Awards and nominations

Nominations

  • 2013 Artios Award Nomination - New York Theatre-Comedy or Musical, Alaine Alldaffer
  • 2014 Lucille Lortel Award Nomination - Outstanding Costume Design, Catherine Zuber
  • 2014 Outer Critics Circle Nomination - Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical[7]
  • 2014 Drama Desk Award Nomination - Outstanding Lyrics, Michael Korie[8]
  • 2014 Henry Hewes Awards Nomination - Costume Design, Catherine Zuber[9]

References
  1. Ben Brantley (June 2, 2013). "A Paradise and a Prison: 'Far From Heaven,' at Playwrights Horizons". The New York Times.
  2. Adam Hetrick (July 7, 2013). "Far From Heaven, With Kelli O'Hara and Steven Pasquale, Concludes Off-Broadway July 7". Playbill. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  3. Hetrick, Adam. "Far From Heaven, With Kelli O'Hara, Tests Its Wings in Williamstown Starting July 19" Playbill, July 19, 2012
  4. "Far From Heaven". Lortel.org. Archived from the original on 2015-04-07. Retrieved 2015-06-08.
  5. Sommer, Elyse. "A CurtainUp Review. 'Far From Heaven" " curtainup.com, June 1, 2013, accessed December 16, 2016
  6. Stewart, Zachary. "Review. Far From Heaven" theatermania.com, June 2, 2013
  7. Gans, Andrew. "Outer Critics Awards Presented May 22; Fun Home, Gent's Guide and All The Way Receive Top Honors" Playbill, May 22, 2014
  8. Gans, Andrew. "2014 Annual Drama Desk Awards Nominations Announced; Gentleman's Guide Earns 12 Nominations" Playbill, April 25, 2014
  9. "Henry Hewes Design Awards, 2014" abouttheartists.com, accessed December 16, 2016
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