Composer Frank Wildhorn's pop Broadway musical take on the war between the states, The Civil War, will close June 13 at the St. James Theatre, a victim of poor reviews and only a handful of Tony Award nominations.

The show, which had a formative run at Houston's nonprofit Alley Theatre before being reworked by Jerry Zaks, was written by Wildhorn, Alley artistic director Gregory Boyd (book) and Jack Murphy (lyrics).

It will have played 61 regular performances and 35 previews.

In a series of pop songs, the tensions of the American Civil War are played out in the musical. Although the shuttering means the loss of millions of dollars, the show is expected to have a national tour beginning in Cincinnati in January 2000. Some have suggested a country or pop star could give the musical extra marketing punch.

  The musical, which critics have dismissed as an MTV response to the war and audiences have cheered for its powerful imagery and voices, was nominated for Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Score.

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).

The company was informed of the end 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 The Civil War call (212) 239-6200.