There is no more glorious way to honor the memory of Abraham Lincoln during his anniversary year than with “The Civil War,” Frank Wildhorn’s Tony-nominated song cycle.
And there is no more appropriate setting than Ford’s Theatre to recount the stories of ordinary people during a prophetic historical era. Along with the voice of actor Hal Holbrook as Abraham Lincoln and vignettes based on Lincoln’s words and those of Walt Whitman and Frederick Douglass, the audience meets typical citizens of the time through their letters, journals and photographs. The entire production is tied together with a score that encompasses American musical genres — rock, country, gospel, folk, rhythm and blues — to express the varied emotions of the ensemble cast of characters.
Director Jeff Calhoun, newly named an associate artist of Ford’s Theatre, returns to the scene of his earlier musical successes, “Shenandoah” and Deaf West Theatre’s “Big River,” which he took to Broadway.
The Pittsburgh native and protege of Tommy Tune was drawn to this musical for Wildhorn’s remarkable score, which re-creates the personal tragedies, hopes and profundity of the Civil War juxtaposed to the present in a unique historical setting.
“The band is elevated in center stage because I wanted to personify the work with a physical production that gives the audience a subconscious sense of the times,” he says. “Our fully integrated ensemble seems a much smarter way of presenting the singers in the 21st century. My job is to show the best of what is there through the wonderful score and lyrics. I listen to one song and think it’s my favorite, and then I hear the next one and decide that it’s my favorite. In Wildhorn’s music, we have an embarrassment of riches.”
Following the solemnity of “The Civil War,” Calhoun will be plunged into teenage mayhem when he heads for Great Britain and a summer directing Disney’s “High School Musical 2” on the heels of last summer’s “High School Musical.”
“They scream even louder there than in this country,” he says. “It’s music to my ears, although I can’t figure it out. The parents are mortified seeing their kids react so loudly in a country where people are expected to be reserved.”
He returns to the States in the fall to collaborate with Frank Wildhorn on a new musical, “Bonnie and Clyde.” The team includes writer Ivan Menchell and British lyricist Don Black of pop songs “Born Free” and “To Sir With Love” and James Bond scores.
“Working with people of this caliber, I feel like a rookie up at bat,” Calhoun says. “This is the perfect time for this musical because Hollywood is planning a new version of the Warren Beatty movie and the economic situation today resembles the 1930s setting of the story. Frank’s score takes you back to the kind of music you would have heard on the radio at that time.
“I’m fortunate to have such eclectic opportunities and the chance to learn more about our country. I’m embarrassed to say that I had no interest in history when I was in school and have learned so much working on musicals like ‘The Civil War.’ I want people to be entertained at Ford’s Theatre and to be so moved by the nostalgia of the story and why we’re a family that they can hardly wait to get back to the theater.”
If you go
“The Civil War” by Frank Wildhorn
Where: Ford’s Theatre, 511 10th St. NW
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday, 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, other special dates and times as listed; through May 24
Tickets: $16 to $52, special discounts for groups, seniors and military at 202-397-7328 or ticketmaster.com
Info: 202-347-4833, fords.org
