Reunion: A Musical Epic in Miniature

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Concord Theatricals

Reunion: A Musical Epic in Miniature

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Cast Size

2w, 4m
Duration

120 minutes (2 hours)
Subgenre

Biography, Period, Docudrama/Historic
Target Audience

Appropriate for all audiences, Adult, Senior, Teen (Age 14 - 18)

Details

Summary

A ragtag company of traveling players weaves the immortal words and songs of the Civil War into a musical epic of the fight to save the Union, fusing 26 songs from the era with excerpts from personal letters and diaries. REUNION: A Musical Epic in Miniature is a 2-act musical incorporating period songs, stories and images in a unique stage narrative of the American Civil War. Events are filtered through the eyes of a vainglorious Union commander, a devoted but skeptical aide to the president, a young Union private and the girl he leaves behind, a fugitive slave turned Union soldier, an idealistic volunteer nurse, an African-American confidant to Mary Lincoln and many others, all presented by Mr. Harry Hawk, the actor who stood on stage as John Wilkes Booth assassinated Abraham Lincoln. Can be performed by a cast as small as 6 by using the extensive doubling written into the narrative, or as large as desired by using the alternate opening and role assignments provided.

History

World premiere March 1996, Goodspeed Opera House, Norma Terris Theatre. Michael P. Price, Producer. Sue Frost, Associate Producer. Directed by Ron Holgate, Choreography by Karen Azenberg, Musical Direction by Jay Atwood. Set by Peter Harrison, costumes b

Cast Attributes

Keywords

Performing Groups

Mr. Harry Hawk: Middle-aged, white, baritone. Company leading man and manager, plays Gen. McClellan, John Wilkes Booth, music hall comedian.

Mr. Hannibal Drumwright: Middle-aged, African-American, bass-baritone. Company stage manager, plays a fugitive slave/Union soldier, abolitionist, others.

Mrs. Cassandra Drumwright: Middle-aged, African-American, mezzo. Company wardrobe mistress, plays Underground Railroad guide, Mrs. Lincoln's dressmaker, others.

Miss Cordelia Hopewell: 20s, white, soprano. Company ingenue, plays volunteer nurse, girl left behind, music hall singer, others.

Mr. Augustin Lovecraft: Mid-20s to early 30s,, white, high baritone. Sophisticated company light comedian, plays Lincoln's secretary, music hall comedian, others.

Mr. Tom Trudgett: Late teens to early 20s, white, tenor.

Company juvenile, plays Union recruit, music hall comedian, others.

Reunion was written to be performed by a multi-talented cast of 6 using extensive doubling. It has also been performed by large groups using as many as 28 actors by using the alternate opening and breakdown provided in the script.

Time Period American Civil War Era, 19th Century
Features Period Costumes
Additional Features Physical Comedy, Play w/ Music
Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
Cautions
- Alcohol
- Strong Language

Media

"Reunion should be seen across the country." -The New York Times.

"CRITIC'S PICK! Charming... heartwarming... brought to vivid life. Reunion underlines the common futility of all wars and the mess we're still dealing with from this particular one. You'll learn something without feeling lectured to." -Backstage.

"A haunting glimpse into history. Reunion resonates at Ford's." -Washington Post.

"Riveting. The 135 years since President Lincoln's assassination seem to melt away." -Washington Times.

"Moving... clever... heartbreaking. Plumbs the emotional depths of those wrenchingly turbulent times." -Newsday.

"Unlike so many mindless Broadway historical pageants, Reunion's words come from the actual speeches, quotations, military orders, letters and tear-stained diaries of the figures being portrayed. And it's woven into a powerful whole that leaves no one dry-eyed. This musical deserves to travel the country the rest of this nation's days." -Chicago Tribune.

"Run to see Reunion." -Show Business.

"Stunning. Even non-Civil War buffs are sure to be captivated. This mighty little production seems twice its size." -Stage Directions Magazine.

"A marvelous combination of history and music, drama and humor. True to the history, with wonderful use of original songs to carry the audience through this extraordinary time." -Jeff Shaara, bestselling author of Gods and Generals, The Last Full Measure.

"Perhaps the best show ever to grace the stage of Ford's Theatre." -WGMS Radio.