Great news, everyone! This October I'm going to a production of Frank Wildhorn's "The Civil War"! A friend of mine lives in Cincinatti, Ohio, and is the director (well, I haven't actually met her in person, but I started writing to her through the J&H e-mail group.) She's also directed "Jekyll & Hyde" and "The Scarlet Pimpernel" and this is her second time directing this show. It's like 8 1/2 hours away, but I don't care! I read that Frank Wildhorn himself commented on how good this production is! And I'd love to see one of you guys there, if it's possible! :)

Oh, BTW: here's the site: Showbiz Players (Peter mentioned this on Frank's web site, but I thought I'd better put it here).

I don't really know anything about that show, so you're going to have to fill me in completely when you go see it... but it's Wildhorn. Thus; *envy*.

It's basically a collection of scenes/songs telling the story of the American Civil War (in song, of course) from the point of view of people from all social classes and how it affected them. The music Frank's written for it varies widely between rock, country, gospel, etc. It's really cool. It's sad though, that they're probably won't ever be any foreign productions, just like we probably won't ever get to see Boubil and Schonberg's "The French Revolution". :(

I don't think I'd be allowed to fly from Delaware to Ohio to see the show, but I did ask. My mom started laughing, so I'm guessing that's a no... :(

It sounds like an interesting show. Hope you have fun! :D

Oh, I'm sure I will. :D

I can guarantee you'll enjoy the show. My wife and I were invited to attend the workshop back at the Alley Theatre in Houston. The show at that time was extremely minimalistic in terms of costuming and the like, but the songs are some of the best Frank has ever written.
We also saw the show when it premiered on Broadway, and while it stayed mostly the same, it was an even tighter verson there, and the cast was unbelievable.

Have fun!!!

I totally agree about this being some of the most compelling music. Personally I think it might have been better received in New York as a concert program with an extended run. People were expecting a "show" with a plot sequence, characters that interacted througout, etc.

But Civil War has heart tugging songs " For The Glory" " Sarah" "Brother, My Brother" " I Never Knew His Name" "Bill" the list goes on and on. There 2 CD's out there, I beleive. I suggest you get them .

Don't forget Civil War is scheduled to open in Gettysburgh, PA this summer and run for the next 5 summers in this historic town where the Civil War was fought.

It will star Michael Lanning, from the original Broadway cast. Super guy and great performer.

I've unfortunately only heard "The Complete Work" recording... though I'm definitely going to get the second one, I beleive (correct me if I'm wrong) it's "The Nashville Sessions" though I'm not aware of any major differences between the recording, though I'm sure there are, judging by Frank's other recordings. I love "I Never Knew His Name," it's my favorite song, and my second favorite is "How Many Devils?" Very compelling and emotional, and both of them are anti-war songs, so I entirely agree with that aspect of them (Not to mention they absoloutely gorgeous melodies.)

The first concept album is indeed "The Nashville Sessions" - 1 CD. All of the tracks from that are on the 2-CD Complete Work, so if you already have that you don't need to get the Nashville CD as well.

Thanks! I was actually looking into buying the "Nashville" one, so thank goodness you told me! :)

You're welcome :)

Why not get the Complete Work? That has everything. Guaranteed, this is one of Frank's musicals I'm not at all familiar with. Maybe GV will release a recording of For The Glory?

Just because I had already have "The Complete Work," so I was going to buy "The Nashville Sessions" as an extra.

Oh, I thought you said you heard it. I wasn't aware you had gotten a copy. From what I've been told Complete Work is all of Nashville Sessions, with the extra songs of course, but I'm not sure if that's true. Confirm?

See my post above, Rock. Confirm.

My, what a bit of reading can do :D :lol:

R.L.

Personally, I think The Alley's version of TCW was the best hands down.

The minimal sets and costumes fit the feel of the show better than any of the others.

I am looking forward to getting to see the new version and have my fingers crossed that it goes more toward The Alley version and less to the Broadway version.

ashtonu,

Hope you have a good time at the show. :)


I saw the US tour when it went around back in 2000. I enjoyed it. Then again, I love studying about the Civil War and visiting museums/battlefields, etc. So, to see something that was another creative outlet about the time period was great. I agree it has some very compelling songs/music. I have too many favorites to mention them all, but I do like the soldier ones of "How Many Devils" and "By the Sword/Sons of Dixie."