BWW Reviews: Lincoln's Words Fill a Spirited FREEDOM'S SONG at Ford's Theatre

With next month marking the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's assassination and the end of the Civil War, perhaps it is a good time to pause and reflect on the meaning of those events.

Ford Theatre's rousing and spirited Freedom's Song: Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War provides us with the opportunity to do just that with a musical shaped by the words of our 16th president. The incomparable Kevin McAllister leads a dream cast of DC artists whose powerhouse performances explore one of the most consequential times in American history.

Freedom's Song: Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War is actually an adaption of the 1999 Broadway musical The Civil War. It still feature's Frank Wildhorn's music, however it has been adapted specifically for Ford's Theatre by Richard Hellesen and Mark Ramont. Having seen The Civil War during its first national tour in 2000, I can confidently say that Freedom's Song's is a marked improvement.

Much of that credit goes to Hellesen and Ramont, along with the entire creative team, who use Lincoln's words and presence to anchor the production. The show follows a loose chronology, with each song serving as a vignette that captures different aspects of the War. Quotes from the Emancipation Proclamation, Gettysburg Address, and Lincoln's life are interspersed throughout the show and serve as a theme for the songs that are about to be performed.

Wildhorn's musical style is reminiscent of the mega-musicals of the late eighties. Freedom's Song is filled with pop ballads and soaring anthems infused with hints of bluegrass, gospel and country. The music is beautifully performed under the direction of Michael Sebastian and a seven piece orchestra. Because the lyrics were inspired by letters from the time period, the musical style works well for the show and captures the passions and themes of the War.

Vocal highlights include: Nova Payton who begins the show as the Storyteller with an impassioned "Prologue" that calls the audience to revisit this difficult time in American history; the somber "Brother, My Brother" has the ensemble exploring a family divided between the Confederacy and the Union; Gregory Maheu's honest "Northbound Train" as a soldier counting the days till he's back home; Carolyn Agan's solemn and heartfelt "The Honor of Your Name" as a widow making peace with her husband's death; Darren Ritchie, Chris Sizemore and Stephen Gregory Smith's poignant "Last Waltz for Dixie" as Confederate soldiers who are reflecting on the War's end.

The most impressive performance belongs to McAllister who plays the role of the Fugitive, a slave who escapes from the South to North and becomes a Union solider. McAllister's vocal prowess is on full display with "Father, How Long," a searing anthem that asks how long the nation will have to fight till every citizen is free.

Lincoln's presence is felt throughout Freedom's Song. Aaron Rhyne's projection design perfectly sets the emotional tone and provides a historical context for the action onstage. Photographs, copies of Lincoln's letters and newspaper clippings from the era are vividly projected against the back wall of Tobin Ost's white, slanted picture box set. Jeff Calhoun's organic direction compliments both designs. Calhoun uses the design to recreate the events captured in Wildhorn's songs including the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, Fugitive's escape and various battle scenes.

Adding to the ambiance is Lincoln's top hat and coat which is predominantly featured in almost every scene. Wade Laboissonniere's period costumes have done a fantastic job capturing the feel and grit of war.

The only creative element which takes away from the evening is David Budries uneven sound design. Throughout the performance there were countless moments when the orchestra drowned out the performers or when the performers were completely inaudible. Hopefully, this will get fixed as the show settles into its run.

Those attending Freedom's Song hoping to find an extensive musical study of the Civil War will be disappointed. And while no musical could ever faithfully capture the entirety of the War, this history buff wished the show contained greater depth about the intensity and true cost of the conflict to both sides.

Freedom's Song is being staged as part of the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's assassination. It's a fitting tribute to the man and cause he believed in so steadfastly, performed in the theatre that would figure so tragically in his life. Only in DC at Ford's Theatre can you get such a unique theatrical experience.

Runtime is 90 minutes with no intermission.

Photo: Cast of the Ford's Theatre production of Freedom's Song: Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War, directed by Jeff Calhoun. Credit: Scott Suchman.

Freedom's Song: Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War runs thru May 20th at Ford's Theatre 514 10th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20004. For tickets please click here.

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