Interview: Tim Rice And Brett Smock of FROM HERE TO ETERNITY at Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival

Legendary lyricist Tim Rice's new musical, From Here to Eternity, is currently playing at Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse through July 20. Based off the 1951 novel of the same name by James Jones, the show tells the story of a group of U.S. Army soldiers during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. From Here to Eternity, as Rice tells us via a phone interview, is much different than some of his past musicals including The Wizard of Oz and Beauty and the Beast. "It's not like Aladdin or The Lion King," he explains. "The material is very different and more mature than those shows. It's a very complex story. There is a lot going on in it but that is what makes it such a beautiful show."

Rice first began work on the show upon being approached by British composer Stuart Brayson. "I knew the story because I knew the song [by Michael Peterson]. The book that it is based on has such a great story and I knew that it would make for a great musical."

After years of writing, From Here to Eternity opened in the West End in October of 2013, running for six months. It was there that Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival's producing artistic director Brett Smock saw the show and instantly knew that it needed to be brought to the states. "I saw it in London in 2013 and I was quite taken with its power and its message," Smock tells us. "I began a conversation with the creative team in early 2014 and over the course of two years, I am now very proud to have the North American premiere here at the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival."

Rice explains to us that From Here to Eternity's journey to the U.S. has brought some changes to the show, but its powerful message remains fully intact. "The show has changed since being brought to the U.S. to a certain extent. We have made the plot clearer and narrowed down the story line a bit," Rice explains, "but we have tried to keep the great story fully intact. We have a new musical director and orchestrator and have added two new songs to the musical."

Smock, who is the director and choreographer on the production, goes on to add, "This is a story about the men and women who have fallen for our country, how we honor them, what they go through and what they endure, what they sacrifice to serve in the military and for this country, and it looks back at a time in our history that was horrible and was an awakening for us. It's a look at a country that had endured war for many years and has continued to endure war. It's a look at how we live our lives and every precious moment that we have and cherishing that and really honoring that. It's extrapolating our everyday lives and how much we should cherish them against the larger tapestry of not knowing what tomorrow will bring and not taking anything for granted."

The musical's cast features many Broadway favorites including Corey Mach (Godspell, Hands on a Hardbody) as Pvt. Robert E. Lee Prewitt, who both Smock and Rice rave about. Alongside him are Paige Fauré (Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella) as Lorene and Aleka Emerson as Karen Holmes. Each member of the 27 performer company brings life to the show and helps greatly to deliver its intended message every night as Rice explains. "All of them are fantastic and can hold their own. Honestly, we are very lucky. Many of them have been on Broadway and have been working professionally for many years. We've really gathered a phenomenal group of performers together."

Since opening on June 29, From Here to Eternity has received great reviews. Smock tells us that Audience members are leaving in tears, completely moved and in love with this production. "I had a guy I had never met come to me with tears in his eyes and thank me for telling this story and remembering his service and dedication to this country. If you let this story in, it will move you in profound ways."

From Here to Eternity runs through July 20 at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse. For more information, visit www.fingerlakesmtf.com.