Five Boys from The Civil War

[castlestreet]

Posted: 7/21/10 at 8:57pm

I never got a chance to see The Civil War due to the short run it had in NY, however I do enjoy a handful of the songs from the 2 Disc Concept album. On Disc 2, Buckley sings a very haunting song called "Five Boys", the song has a gorgeous lead-in from James Garner, reading a touching letter written by President Lincoln- however I have never been able to find the sheet music to this ANYWHERE and when I looked on MTI's website- I could not find it listed on the song list- was the song in the Broadway show, or was it cut?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/21/10 at 9:01pm

"Five Boys" was, unfortunately, not in the Broadway show.

[philly03]

Posted: 7/21/10 at 9:03pm

"Five Boys" was in the world premiere (at the Alley), on Broadway and also part of the MTI version.

Unfortunately it wasn't part of the National Tour that received the most attention of all these productions. I forget if it's in the "For the Glory." I actually think Christiane Noll has sang it a few times as well, if that means anything. Not sure if she ever recorded it!

It's not in any of The Civil War songbooks, and I'm pretty sure it hasn't been published. Frank needs a songbook of his unpublished songs, there's so many of them that people would love to sing with the proper sheet music! (Think of all those DRACULA, the musical songs and the re-arranged Pimpernel ones, as well as Camille Claudel, Waiting for the Moon, etc. etc.). Updated On: 7/21/10 at 09:03 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/21/10 at 9:08pm

Was it in the Broadway show? IBDB doesn't list it.

[philly03]

Posted: 7/21/10 at 9:13pm

Haha Looks like this'll be a mystery. I thought I remember it in the Broadway version, and Frank Wildhorn's website lists it in the production.

Definitely wasn't on the national tour, as it's not in that song book.

Noll sang it at Wildhorn's "An Intimate Night with Frank Wildhorn" on Broadway back in about 2002, and I'm pretty sure I've heard it at some other Wildhorn concerts, so I always assumed it was one of the bigger songs.
Wildhorn's Website

[MissAnneThrop]

Posted: 7/21/10 at 9:42pm

it was in for a few early previews. I have the playbill where it's listed. I'd don't know how to upload a photo.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 7/21/10 at 10:22pm

It was in the Broadway version all right...but it was an abridged version...I'm sure Beth Leavel sang it BEAUTIFULLY!

[philly03]

Posted: 7/21/10 at 10:25pm

Yeah, I was pretty sure it flowed right into "I Never Knew His Name" which had been "Linda's song" that she usually sang from it. Unfortunately I don't have a playbill from it (one of my few Wildhorn missings!) and don't remember if I went before or after the opening!

[ObiHave]

Posted: 7/21/10 at 10:31pm

What is it with Wildhorn and cutting the best songs? There is not one show of his that has pre-released music that he hasn't cut one or two of my favorite songs when it comes to Broadway. He's like ALW and doesn't know when to leave well enough alone.

[philly03]

Posted: 7/21/10 at 10:48pm

I think it's important to note that Frank Wildhorn doesn't necessarily make all executive decisions as someone like Andrew Lloyd Webber does. I'd say Frank has a perhaps the biggest say in it, but he didn't cut for example "Bring on the Men," but rather director Robin Phillips did.

"Five Boys" wasn't even one of the "big"/popular songs from the show... they were mostly promoting "Tell My Father," "With These Hands" (wasn't this performed at the Tony's), "I Never Knew His Name," and "Missing You (My Bill)." It wasn't on the mainstream album either ("The Nashville Sessions"). That's not to say the best song wasn't in that mix, as that tends to happen a lot, it depends on whose listening, but I think that's the joy of Frank's music... everyone's favourite song is different from everyone else's!
Updated On: 7/21/10 at 10:48 PM