BWW CD Reviews: Omniverse Vision's FROM HERE TO ETERNITY: THE MUSICAL (Live Cast Recording) Leaves Listeners Wanting More

Recognized as one of the best American novels of the 20th century, it is no surprise that James Jones' From Here to Eternity, the basis of the 1953 classic film, has continued to stay present in Western cultural consciousness. The only true surprise is that it took over 60 years for a musical adaptation to become reality. With a book by Bill Oakes, music by Stuart Brayson, and lyrics by Tim Rice, FROM HERE TO ETERNITY: THE MUSICAL opened to mixed to negative reviews at London's Shaftesbury Theatre on October 23, 2013 but ran to March 29, 2014. Recently, Omniverse Vision Productions' released FROM HERE TO ETERNITY: THE MUSICAL (Live Cast Recording), showing that this show still has some fight left in it.

However, it's important to note that this isn't your grandfather's From Here to Eternity. When originally publishing the novel, Scribner's made James Jones cut expletives and references to prostitution, gay sex, and the Army's investigation into them. Kaylie Jones, daughter of James Jones, offered the rights to create the musical with the condition that it had to be based on the original version of the novel, which had previously been published by Open Road as an e-Book in May 2011. Thus, FROM HERE TO ETERNITY: THE MUSICAL exists as a grittier and more explicit version of the famed story than many may remember. For the album, this translates into the angst-ridden lyrics written for the men of G Company and the sexually provocative lyrics written from the women of the New Congress Club.

One of the largest complaints against the musical was its overabundance of musical material, which apparently caused Act I to drag. Despite being recorded live and printed on two physical CDs (each only holds a little over 30 minutes worth of music), that is not an issue on FROM HERE TO ETERNITY: THE MUSICAL (Live Cast Recording). Instead, Private Angelo Maggio's "Prologue;" First Sergeant Milt Warden's "Sure;" Private Robert E. Lee Prewitt's "The Treatment" and both reprises of "Fight the Fight;" a drag queen's reprise of "You Got the Money;" a boxing reprise of "G Company Blues;" Karen Holmes, Milt Warden, Lorene, and Robert E. Lee Prewitt's "From Here to Eternity;" and Lorene's "Run Along Joe (Reprise)" are all missing from the recording. Regardless of critical response to the music, these omissions are frustrating. The cuts are also perplexing, especially since this was the world premiere production of the musical.

What the album does include is solidly strong musical theatre compositions that elucidate the era and locale of the plot. Stuart Brayson's score incorporates blues, swing, big band, and 40s rock 'n roll, using the different styles to convey character and emotionality. He also keenly utilizes ukulele in his score, giving the music that stereotyped Hawaiian authenticity. Likewise, the expressive and evocative lyrics by Tim Rice are well set to the melodies and their timings. Together the pair creates songs that are interesting and relatable, drawing us into the characters, their motivations, and their struggles.

Across the discs, the vocals are all full of life (as they should be since they are pulled from a live performance). On both "Another Language" and "Maybe," Rebecca Thornhill sings with sensitivity as she explores Karen Holmes heartaches. On the jazzy "Marking Time," Darius Campbell channels his best Nat King Cole, singing with affecting grit. With spirit and energy Robert Lonsdale makes "Fight the Fight" an anthem of never giving up one's hopes and dreams. Fearing Lorene's own growing romantic feelings for a john, Siubhan Harrison expressively sings "Run Along Joe" and makes the turmoil of the heart palpable. Ryan Sampson's take on "I Love the Army" illustrates the disillusionment that comes from discovering the underbelly of something you love. The ensemble numbers are well executed also, and the finale's reprise of "The Boy of '41" gave me cold chills upon my first listening.

In essence, FROM HERE TO ETERNITY: THE MUSICAL (Live Cast Recording) does what it is supposed to. It captures some thrilling performances from a musical that had the drive to be the next great epic. It may not have fully succeeded in its mission, but the performances were and are strong enough to capture. The album satisfies and leaves me wanting to see the musical on stage. However, since I missed it in London, it looks like I'll have to rush out to one of Fathom Event's upcoming screenings or wait for the Blu-Ray/DVD release to reach American shores.

Omniverse Vision Productions digitally released FROM HERE TO ETERNITY: THE MUSICAL (Live Cast Recording) in the UK on July 3, 2014. Physical copies were made available in the UK as of August 4. Digital copies first appeared in the US iTunes store on September 9, before becoming available across North America on September 10. Amazon in the US began distributing imported physical copies of the CD on August 5. FROM HERE TO ETERNITY: THE MUSICAL (Live Cast Recording) is currently available from iTunes UK, iTunes US, Amazon UK, Amazon US, and elsewhere music is sold. For more information about FROM HERE TO ETERNITY: THE MUSICAL, please visit http://www.fromheretoeternitythemusical.com and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

If you want to see FROM HERE TO ENTERNITY: THE MUSICAL in the US, visit http://www.fathomevents.com/event/from-here-to-eternity for more information about their special screenings of the musical in select cinemas on October 2, October 5, and October 9, 2014. Check out Fathom Events' clip of "More Than America" below.

For information about other theatrical recording releases, click here.

To post a comment, you must register and login.