The Civil War

This musical was written by Gregory Boyd and Frank Wildhorn with a book by Jack Murphy and music by Wildhorn. It centers on the American Civil War and it shows the conflict through the viewpoints of Union, Confederate and slaves and it has a lot of different musical styles that go through Country, Rock, Folk, Blues and Gospel. It was first performed on September 16, 1998 at the Alley theatre in Houston, Texas.

There isn't really a narrative structure behind the musical, and as I have only been able to find some loose videos on the internet, and listen to the whole soundtrack I can be mistaken here, but I think it's more like a concert than a musical. In 1999 The Civil War was nominated for both Tony Awards [Best Musical and Best Original Score]and Drama Desk Award [Outstanding Musical, Outstanding featured Actor in a Musical - Michel Bell; Outstanding Featured Acress in a Musical - Cheryl Freeman]

I think that "The Civil War" is remarcable precisely because it features the views of all three parties of the war. The worst thing about a civil war is that it tears families appart. If war is stupid in itself, a civil war moreso, and the music transmits exactly that feeling. It doesn't take sides as many war stories do. 

The musical evolution follows the soldiers from their initial joy ['By the sword/ Sons of Dixie'] of the young soldiers who believe they'll come back in a few weeks, with tons of medals and fame, to the horrors of the battlefield ['The Day the Sun stood still'] and ending in the hope of the winners that war won't be repeated ['The Glory']. 

The song 'By the sword/sons of Dixie' is one of my favourites and it shows the point of view of the Union and Confederate soldiers, which is the same. Exactly the same but for the battle cry. The equality of both parites is shown in 'Northbound Train', where a soldier writes to his wife about an encounter he had with a 'southern boy' with whom he talked before the battle. 

As allways I leave you here a few of my favourite songs:

1. By the sword/ Sons of Dixie
2. How many Devils
3. If prayin' were horses
4. The Day the sun stood still
5. Old gray coat
6. The Glory

Please note that the videos have nothing to do with the music.