BWW Reviews: Eagle Theatre's THE CIVIL WAR is Glorious

The Eagle Theatre under the direction of Ted Wioncek III is a gloriously ceremonial concert executed with such joy, energy and talent that it literally takes your breath away.

Broadway composer Frank Wildhorn opened the door to a new exciting and revolutionary possibility of what a Broadway musical can be. The musical premiered on Broadway at the St. James Theatre on April 22, 1999 and closed on June 13, 1999, running for 61 performances and 35 previews. Clearly Broadway audiences of 1999 were more preoccupied with cheerful musicals than history. Perhaps if The Civil War opened after Sept. 11, 2001 this riveting expression of both the best and the worst sides of the inspiring and enduring American character would have been more warmly embraced.

The Civil War is a musical written by Gregory Boyd and Frank Wildhorn, with lyrics by Jack Murphy and music by Wildhorn. The musical centers on the American Civil War, with the musical numbers portraying the war through Union, Confederate, and slave viewpoints. The ensemble cast is uniformly brilliant in performance. Rather than playing individual characters, they all play everyman - a soldier, a wife, a nurse, a girlfriend, a slave, each given equal time to tell their story, share their emotions, hopes and fears while facing the inevitable unknown world of prejudices, unfair negotiations and war.

The story is compassionately narrated by Broadway's Derrick Cobey who plays Frederick Douglas; an African- American social reformer, orator, writer, and statesman. Cobey convincingly displays a range of emotions stemming from Douglas's own experience as a slave. The 17 cast member ensemble consists of Union Captain Emmett Lochran played by Tim Rinehart along with his four Northern soldiers and Confederate Captain Billy Pierce played by Kevin Hack who heads up his four Southern military troop members.

In addition are the men and women sold into slavery: husband and wife Clayton Toler (Michael Hogan) and Bessie Toler (Dene Hill), Benjamin Reynolds (Rajeer Alford) and Harriet Jackson (Ciji Prosser). Sarah McEwen (Kimberly Suskind) wife of Union Corporal William McEwen and Genevieve Naccarelli who plays the military nurse tending to the casualties on both sides of the war.

The musical was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Musical with solid reason. Its styles include Gospel, Folk, Country, Rock, and Rhythm and Blues. Musical highlights include a heartfelt "Tell My Father" sung by AJ Mendini (Private Sam Taylor), "The Peculiar Institution" sung by the enslaved and a moving rendition of "If Prayin' Were Horses" sung by husband and wife slaves Clayton and Bessie Toller. "I'll Never Pass This Way Again" is beautifully sung by James Bock (Confederate Sergeant Virgil Franklin). Both sides of the military join forces with the lively "How Many Devils". A poignant "Candle In The Window" is offered by all the women-in waiting for the war to end. "Sarah" is wonderfully sung by Corey Buller (Union Corporal William McEwen) to his wife followed by the heart wrenching " The Honor Of Your Name" sung sweetly by Kimberly Suskind (Sarah McEwen). All of the emotions of the evening are captured and climaxed by a stirring rendition of "The Glory" sung by the full company.

Director Ted Wioncek and his creative team present a minimal stark, dark set with a simple set of slotted, veiled entrances that allow all the action to focus on the actors being highlighted at any given point in the presentation. Sound by David Pierron and Lighting (Chris Miller) are spot on. Musical Director Tom Abruzzo leads his 6 piece group flawlessly this lavish score.

The Musical is performer in time-period costuming and décor, and features letters, diaries and the words of Abraham Lincoln, Fredrick Douglass and Walt Whitman. Over 1,000 multimedia projections and snapshot of "unidentified" soldiers, slaves and civilians are incorporated throughout the production. The Eagle dedicates their production to the "land of forgotten faces and long-ago places" and the brave men and women who have given their lives for our freedom.

The entire audience was on their feet at the final song clearly moved by this stunning and respectful production which is a history lesson for young and old.

The Civil War: The Musical runs from September 19 - October 11, with performances September 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, October 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11 @ 8PM and September 21, 28 and October 5 @ 3pm. General Admission Tickets- $30.00, VIP Tickets - $40.00. Tickets can be purchased at www.TheEagleTheatre.com. For more information, please contact the box office at 609-704-5012.

Photo # 1 Kevin Hack, James Bock, Diego Rios,Nate Golden, Geoffrey Bruen ( Confederate soldiers)

Photo # 2 Derrick Cobey (Frederick Douglas)

Photo # 3 Derrick Cobey, Dene Hill ( Bessie Toller), Micahel Hogan (Clayton Toller)

Photo # 4 Kevin Hack ( Capt.Billy Pierce)

PHOTO CREDITS: CHRIS MILLER

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