'' The View UpStairs '' is a musical with music , lyrics and book by Max Vernon based on the real-life events of the 1973 arson attack at the UpStairs Lounge , a gay bar in New Orleans . This attack , now accepted as a targeted anti-gay attack ( despite the court officially listing the fire as coming from as " undetermined origin " ) , resulted in the deaths of 32 people , the deadliest attack on a gay club in U.S. history before the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting . The show is inspired by and pays tributes to many of the patrons who frequented the venue
1973 arson attack
UpStairs Lounge arson attack
The View UpStairs