"Civil War" to play at Ford's Theatre--March27 thru May24!

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 3/7/09 at 2:46am

My head is spinning from all the great opportunities coming up to see so many projects that I have missed in the past. Now, it's Wildhorn's "Civil War"...yes, I know many of you (and critics) did not favor this one, but I STILL want to see it!
If I plan well, I can maybe get "Mamma Mia", "1776" AND "Civil War" in, just in ONE trip! It will be take some inventive travelling modes and prices, so I have my work cut out for me, but well worth it!
Updated On: 3/21/09 at 02:46 AM

[MusicLover2]

Posted: 3/7/09 at 8:17am

Wildhorn is not a favorite of many but "The Civil War," in my humble opinion, is a beautiful piece of work. My family and I enjoyed it on Broadway and also at Gettysburg, PA as "For the Glory." The story told in words and music is a painful story. It makes people uncomfortable. Perhaps that is why it wasn't a success but there is certainly nothing wrong with the music. I don't believe it's the production people dislike but Frank Wildhorn himself for whatever reason.
We have our tickets for "The Civil War" at the Ford Theater in Washington, D.C. Updated On: 3/7/09 at 08:17 AM

[kec]

Posted: 3/7/09 at 8:21am

Thanks for the reminder! I am very interested in seeing this particularly because of the venue -- to see a play about the Civil War in FORD'S theatre...

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/7/09 at 8:43am

bwaybabe, who's doing 1776? And please don't tell me that Mamma Mia is returning to the National for the umpteenth time!

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 3/7/09 at 10:55am

The renovations in Fords are stunning.

Was Civil War 85 minutes on Broadway? Because that is how long it is going to be for this production. It seems short, but I never saw the show on Broadway.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/7/09 at 11:41am

If possible, get the double CD concept album as a cast album was never done of the show

Loved the show & the score.

[philly03]

Posted: 3/8/09 at 1:38am

"The story told in words and music is a painful story. It makes people uncomfortable. Perhaps that is why it wasn't a success but there is certainly nothing wrong with the music. I don't believe it's the production people dislike but Frank Wildhorn himself for whatever reason. "

Firstly, nope, "The Civil War" was a full show with intermission on Broadway. Many, many many a people left at intermission. The show was (as a jumbo Wildhorn fan) a disastrous melting pot if you ask me. From what I remember (and it's not one that I really listen to at all), a bunch of random Civil War-related stories that somehow intertwined. Not really a plot show, but more like a revue I believe.

However, "For the Glory: The Civil War Musical" got some *nice* notices at Gettsyburg (as someone said above), and also as someone else said, getting to see a Civil War musical in Ford's Theatre cannot come around too much, so we'll see how it works out.

Thanks again for the reminder as well :) .

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 3/8/09 at 9:56am

Ok, so if this 85 minutes, then it is not the version that was on Broadway apparently, right? I mean, there is no intermission.

[philly03]

Posted: 3/8/09 at 2:13pm

Nope -- this is "re-visioned." They had a concert gala last year in D.C. on top of the Gettsyburg version -- my guess is that they realized so many people left at intermission whilst on Broadway (I don't even think I know anyone personally who lasted through it), they probably thought let's remove that opportunity :). Or they only have the majority of songs from the Single-disc concept album (which many of them are good).

[Jon]

Posted: 3/8/09 at 2:37pm

Someone should do ASSASSINS at Ford's Theatre.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 3/8/09 at 5:31pm

awman, here i thought this was Paula Vogel's "Civil War Christmas"...

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 3/10/09 at 11:24am

Assassins is definitely not anything Fords would ever do, besides Signature just did it a few years ago.

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 3/10/09 at 3:30pm

DottieD'Luscia...sorry for the delay in answearing your post, but I didn't have too much time the other day when I saw it (and now, but just want to reply).
I noticed you are in D.C., so you probably thought I was seeing all those things there. Not really.
1776 is being done at Paper Mill Playhouse, in New Jersey, and check out the thread titled "1776" here for more info.
Mamma Mia is playing in NYC at the Winter Garden. Yes I know, it sounds like an impossible thing to catch all these in ONE trip, but I"ll try!

[Calvin]

Posted: 3/10/09 at 3:41pm

I must admit I'm curious, as I'm going to be in Washington briefly during the run. I've never seen the show, and I've never seen a show there, so I might overlook my non-fandom of Wildhorn and give a visit.

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 3/21/09 at 11:41pm

Here is the official site for Fords Theatre. Look for the upper middle, where it says "tour theatre"...it has some awesome views of the house inside. Also, if you are going, check out "About.com/DC", it has plenty of info of what is going on there for Lincoln's bicentennial celebration (plus more views of the theatre) :)


http://www.fordstheatre.org/ Updated On: 3/21/09 at 11:41 PM

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 7:08pm

I saw the production on Sunday. The audience, comprised of many school groups but also adults, ate it up. I am still not a fan of the show, but I will say that it was very well sung. The projections and staging on several levels, however, were not very conducive to the seating at Fords.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 11:57pm

The double disk concept album is one of my faves. So beautiful.

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 4/2/09 at 4:23am

Thanks for the input, KChenowethfan. I thought the projections were going to be a task, considering how the Ford's Theatre is laid out, and its size. I have a front seat, so I hope I can get it all in better (although the first row seating seems to be set further back than usual from the stage (did you think so...?).
Bellow is a nice video they posted recently. It looks like it is going to be a decent show. Lots of talent there. Something tells me it was filmed on St. Patrick's Day

http://www.fordstheatre.org/?q=home/performances-events/event-calendar/theatre-performances/-civil-war

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 4/2/09 at 5:23am

Anyone have a song list for this incarnation yet? I'm always curious to know what's in and what's out in each new version of the show.

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 4/2/09 at 5:29am

"I'm always curious to know what's in and what's out in each new version of the show."

I'm not too familiar with the music, yet. But, I also would like to know, so I know what I'll be missing out on, and listen to it, hopefully before I go.

[kec]

Posted: 4/2/09 at 5:56am

KChenowethfan, what do you recommend for seating in the orchestra? I haven't bought my ticket yet -- planning to do so next week.

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 4/2/09 at 8:21am

I can't post the songlist because I am on my blackberry on my way to work without my playbill. I will post it when I am home. I would say most of the major songs are there but few monologues.

In terms of seating, avoid the extreme sides in the orchestra, dress circle, and balcony. In the orchestra, I would not go further back than row j. The first 3 seats on the sides are fine but center is probably better. The center dress circle/balcony is also good for this show. For those that don't know, the dress circle is really just the first 2 rows of the balcony.

I usher there so will be back a few more times for the run.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/2/09 at 12:12pm

Does any one know who's in the cast?

[kec]

Posted: 4/2/09 at 1:53pm

Thanks KChenowethfan. An office colleague of mine ordered tickets online last week for family visiting, and asked my advice on the seats she was given -- row A dress circle, center. I told her they looked fine, although I hadn't sat up there when I visited the theatre before the renovation. Looks like she got really good seats.

[philly03]

Posted: 4/2/09 at 8:31pm

I'm likewise curious about the song list. Loved 3 songs: "I Never Knew His Name," "Tell My Father," and "Missing You"...but that's about all.

They already fixed the biggest problem the show faced on Broadway: intermission, so I'm sure it's not a double-act mess of songs thrown together, but probably a decent round of particular-similar-situation songs.