The Henegar Center in downtown Melbourne is raising the curtain on “The Civil War,” the Frank Wildhorn and Jack Murphy musical with a book by Wildhorn and Gregory Boyd, framed as a “dramatic theatrical concert” built from letters, diaries and firsthand accounts. The show opens Friday, April 10, for a run through April 19.
“Unlike our traditional book musicals, this production will be done in a concert format with a live orchestra, choir and soloist,” said director Dominic Del Brocco.
“The Civil War” is not structured like a traditional musical, but more like a musical revue that leans into gospel, country, folk and rock, all uniquely American genres.
“The composer Frank Wildhorn mixes a blend of period appropriate sound with a few moments of upbeat popular tunes,” Del Brocco said. “Since there is the ‘North,’ ‘South’ and the ‘Black Gospel’ elements, it offers different types of style and an eclectic tapestry of musical storytelling.”
The story of the American Civil War unfolds through snapshots and emotional pivots stitched together from the words of those who lived through it.
“We will use civil war photos and documentary footage through projections to help move the story and the elements along,” Del Brocco said. “The songs target specific characters’ stories from both sides, and what war was like for them.”
Threaded through the stories are the words of historical figures. Abraham Lincoln appears in voiceover, returning later as a solitary figure in the White House. Frederick Douglass steps forward repeatedly, insisting that slavery, not political spin, is the pivot point of the conflict. Walt Whitman’s influence hovers in the show’s poetic approach.
“It’s unique and unlike anything we’ve done here before. It is shorter, simpler yet effective,” Del Brocco said. “Those that like history will enjoy its more documentary approach with a sprinkling of narration in between songs.”
The production comes with a PG-13 rating, which Del Brocco says is due to the nature of the content.
“It is a concert about war,” he said. “The words [and] material may be of a more mature nature. The topics discussed may not find suitable for all ages. Additionally, some photos or footage used may be mildly graphic.”
‘The Civil War’
Where: The Henegar Center, 625 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne
When: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through April 19
Tickets: $42
Call: 321-723-8698
Website: henegarcenter.com
Christina LaFortune is the Entertainment and TGIF Editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/christinalafortune or send her an email at clafortune@floridatoday.com.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: At the Henegar Center, ‘The Civil War’ becomes a living songbook
Reporting by Christina LaFortune, Florida Today / Florida Today
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
