Theatreworks USA's New Children's Musical THE CIVIL WAR Opens Today

Theatreworks USA's THE CIVIL WAR begins performances tonight, Monday, July 15, 2013 at Off-Broadway's Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street) and continues through Friday, August 16, 2013. Opening night is set for Thursday, July 18 at 6:30pm.

New York City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn will serve as the Honorary Chair of this year's Free Summer Theatre Program.

THE CIVIL WAR is the story of people from different backgrounds fighting for the future of the nation - both sides believing they are fighting for freedom. Incorporating traditional songs from the period and many different character perspectives, this historical musical brings to life for the next generation of young people a major event in the history of our country.

Directed by Jonathan Silverstein and choreographed by Tracy Bersley, THE CIVIL WAR features book and additional lyrics by Arthur Perlman with arrangements and additional music by Jeff Lunden.

THE CIVIL WAR stars Adam Fontana as Will, Max Kumangai as Zac, Alyse Alan Louis as Jackie, Jim Stanek as Johnny, and Michael Thomas Walker as Sarge. The understudies will be announced at a later time.

The production features scenic design by Kevin Judge, costume design by Sydney Maresca, lighting design by Josh Bradford and the sound design by Carl Casella. Logan Culwell serves as music director and the production stage manager is Byron F. Abens.

Launched in 1989, the mission of Theatreworks USA's Free Summer Theatre Program is to provide New York City youth with their own theatre tradition that not only entertains, but also educates and fosters positive values and an appreciation for theatre. This summer 15,000 FREE tickets will be distributed to THE CIVIL WAR.

Tickets for THE CIVIL WAR are FREE and are available on a first-come, first-served basis in-person at the Lucille Lortel Theatre Box Office (121 Christopher Street) on the day of the performance. Tickets for each day's performances will be distributed beginning one hour prior to the first performance of the day. There is a limit of four (4) tickets per adult per day.

THE CIVIL WAR is a 60-minute, one-act musical recommended for children ages eight and up. The performance schedule is as follows: Monday through Friday @ 10:30am and 1pm; Sundays @ 2pm; and Dark on Saturdays.

SCHEDULE EXCEPTIONS: There are no 1pm performances July 15-17 and no 10:30amperformance on Thursday, July 18. There are added 6pm performances on Thursday, August 1 and Thursday, August 15. (No free tickets are available for the opening night benefit, Thursday, July 18 at 6:30pm.)

Summer camps, youth programs and social service organizations can make reservations for groups of fifteen (15) or more by calling 212.627.737.

Because Theatreworks USA accepts reservations from summer camps, individual tickets are extremely limited for the weekday daytime performances. Reservations cannot be made by the general public*. Availability is better for evening and weekend shows, which are entirely open to the public. Once all group tickets are distributed, any remaining patrons will be admitted at curtain time on a space-available basis.

For more information, visit www.TWUSA.org.

Theatreworks USA is America's foremost professional theatre for young and family audiences. Theatreworks USA's mission is to create imaginative and sophisticated shows that are educational, entertaining, and thought-provoking, and to ensure that these shows are accessible to audiences across America regardless of geography and socio-economic status.

Since 1961, Theatreworks USA has reached over 93 million people in 49 states and Canada, and the company now performs for about three million young people annually.

Every year, the company tours approximately 10 shows from its ever-growing repertoire of 133 plays and musicals. In addition, Theatreworks USA has an extensive guest artist roster of multi-cultural storytellers, musicians, puppeteers, magicians and more.

Theatreworks USA's honors include a Drama Desk Award, Lucille Lortel Award, the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation Award, the William M. Dawson Award for Programmatic Excellence given by the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, and the Medal of Honor from the Actors Fund of America.

Past Free Summer Theatre productions at the Lucille Lortel Theatre include: Skippyjon Jones (Lortel nominee: Best Musical), The Yellow Brick Road (Callaway nominee: Best Choreography); We the People: America Rocks! (Lortel nominee: Best Musical); Click, Clack, Moo (Lortel nominee: Best Musical, Drama Desk nominee: Best Lyrics); and Seussical (Lortel and Drama League nominee: Best Revival of a Musical).

Free Summer Theatre is entirely underwritten by charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations, and public support. Theatreworks USA's Free Summer Theatre Program is made possible with the generous support of Con Edison, The Friars Foundation, The Abram and Ray Kaplan Foundation, The Kaufmann Foundation, James T. Lee Foundation, The Lucille Lortel Foundation, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, New York State Council on the Arts, The Seth Sprague Educational and Charitable Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, Treasure & Bond, The Winnick Foundation, and other benefactors.

Pictured: Jim Stanek

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