Composer Frank Wildhorn's pop Broadway musical, The Civil War, may be closing June 13 at the St. James Theatre, but a new troupe will troop across the states beginning in January 2000 in Cincinnati.
The first batch of Civil War tour dates were announced the same week it was learned the Broadway staging would close. Despite being a victim of poor reviews and two Tony Award nominations (Best Score and Best Musical), The Civil War has been embraced by audiences for what it tries to be: A concept concert, with pop songs and bold images inspired by the passions and tensions of the American war between the states.
Some have suggested a country or pop star could give the musical (which is an ensemble piece in its Broadway version) extra marketing muscle on the road. No casting has been announced.
The musical is expected to play some 32 Pace markets; Pace Theatrical Group is one of the co-producers of the show.
Announced so far are: Cincinnati (Aronoff Center) Jan. 18-30
Indianapolis (Clowes Hall) Feb. 1-6.
Baltimore (Mechanic) Feb. 8-13.
Chicago (Palace) Feb. 15-27.
Providence (Performing Arts Center) Feb. 29-March 5.
Cleveland (Palace) March 7-19.
Atlanta (Fox) March 21-26.
Wilmington (The Playhouse) March 28-April 9.
Nashville (Performing Arts Center) April 11-16.
Pittsburgh (Heinz Hall) April 18-23.
Louisville (Kentucky Center) April 25-30.
Columbus (Palace) May 2-7.
Hershey, PA (Hershey Theatre) May 9-14.
Hartford, CT (Bushnell) May 16-21.
Tempe, AZ (Gammage) May 30-June 5.
Costa Mesa, CA (Orange County Performing Arts Center) June 6-11.
Denver (Buell Theatre) June 13-25.
Seattle (Paramount Theatre) June 27-July 9.
Portland, OR. (Civic Center Theatre) July 11-16.
More dates are expected to be announced.
*
The show, which had a formative run at Houston's nonprofit Alley Theatre before being reworked by director Jerry Zaks, was written by Wildhorn, Alley artistic director Gregory Boyd (book) and Jack Murphy (lyrics). The tour will be the Zaks production.
When it closes June 13 on Broadway, it will have played 61 regular performances and 35 previews.
Briefly this spring, Wildhorn had three shows on Broadway: Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel and The Civil War. Pimpernel closed May 30 at the Minskoff Theatre, but will resume performances Sept. 8 at the Neil Simon Theatre, in a recast version.
The Civil War opened April 22 following previews (which began March 23). It had a tryout run in New Haven, CT.
The Broadway company was informed of closing prior to the June 8 performance.
Civil War is produced by Pierre Cossette, PACE Theatrical Group, Bomurwil Productions, Kathleen Raitt, Magicworks Entertainment, Inc., and Jujamcyn Theaters.
For information on Broadway’s The Civil War call (212) 239 6200.
