There appears to be something about London’s West End that simply draws like-minded people back over the years, and legendary Lyricist Tim Rice is no exception to this. Tim Rice is well known throughout show business and musical theater as the man who wrote the words to Jesus Christ Superstar, and is considered to be highly influential in the area. His return to London’s West End is not without reason. Rice has been working on a new play and would like to see it open in his native land of England. The production is entitled “From Here to Eternity,” and is based on the novel of the same name.

From Here to Eternity

The play is based on the events leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor and the beginning of American involvement in World War II. From Here to Eternity is set to open in the West End on October 23 at the Shaftesbury Theatre to much fanfare. Tickets have been on sale since April 2012 and as a result of Tim Rice penning much of the words, hype was big leading up to opening night. It stars Ryan Sampson as Private Angelo Maggio and Siubhan Harrison as Lorene. In total, the performance will run for a total of two hours and 50 minutes. This length includes the 15-minute break between the two acts.

Tim Rice

The production is Tim Rice’s first in London in 10 years. He felt that it was simply time to return back to England. Nothing seems out of place in his return and those who have been able to get an advance performance report that Rice is perfectly in his element. It is as if nothing has changed in the last 10 years. He is largely working with a brand new cast, both on and off the state. Rice feels that by doing so, he has become youthful once again. Working with the same people over and over again, while creating a reputation, bogs down the creative process behind the scenes. The fresh feeling on this production has rejuvenated Rice almost back to where everything started.

Rice had a long career working with Andrew Lloyd-Weber and producing hits such as Jesus Christ Superstar. Over the years however, the pair have drifted apart and Rice found himself in Hollywood working with Disney. Things have sullied between the pair in recent times with Lloyd-Weber calling Rice out and explaining that the relationship ended because Rice does not truly love the theater, rather it is something that he is simply good at.

Rice insists that his absence from London has not been because of a lack of love. He has been waiting for the right production to work with. While many offers have come across his table, From Here to Eternity is the first one that he knew he simply had to get involved with. It is also quite possible that this will not be his last West End production. Rice is currently in talks with the Rolling Stones to bring a musical with their music to the stage.