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For Immediate Release
merrill osmond TO HEADLINE HCT’s “THE CIVIL WAR” Production to Feature Authentic Costuming, Battle Site Photography and Music Set to Actual Civil War Accounts WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (February 2008) — Hale Centre Theatre (HCT), Utah’s premier family theatre, will present the stirring Broadway musical, “The Civil War,” Feb. 19 through April 5. HCT’s production will feature a nearly all-tenor cast, including international vocalist Merrill Osmond in the starring role. As the production weaves in actual narratives from Abraham Lincoln, Walt Whitman, Frederick Douglass and other period historical figures among expressive musical numbers, the audience’s visual senses will be heightened with an intricate projection set. The back wall of the theatre features a wraparound screen that will display imagery of sites and battle figures from the Civil War. A circular truss that lowers from the catwalk during the show has eight additional plasma screens and will provide facts, figures and dates from this historical period throughout the play. “The Broadway show was produced with a lot of projection and we worked to stay to true to the original,” said Andrew Barrus, director, who personally visited and photographed every battlefield in the play in preparation for the show. “By providing images and facts along with authentic costumes and props, the result is an experience that is as accurate as possible more than 160 years after the event.” Authentic replica costumes and props like belt buckles, canteens, haversacks, gun replicas and sabers for the HCT musical were purchased from a Civil War sutler in Tennessee. Civil War expert Jaimon Murton, who serves as the production’s dramaturge, has provided direction with many aspects of the show from costumes and dialect coaching to what would be in the soldier’s tents during the time period. The actors have also done their own research to portray their historical character as accurately as possible. “I’ve challenged myself to really study the Civil War and have worked to identify with my interesting character,” said Osmond, who stars as Captain Emmett Lochran. “My goal is to be able to pace the beginning, middle and close to bring each part together and completely edify the audience with this poignant musical.” Composed by Broadway veteran Frank Wildhorn (“Jekyll and Hyde,” “The Scarlett Pimpernel”), “The Civil War” takes the audience from the beginning to the end of the war in an oratorio-style production. Musical numbers range in song styles and narrative is presented not in scripted form, but from actual diary, poetry, letters and other accounts of historical leaders, social commentators and everyday people living through the tragedy. Themes of slavery, war, family bonds and country are explored through each scene. In its run on Broadway, “The Civil War” garnered two Tony nominations for “Best Musical” and “Best Original Score,” five Drama Desk nominations and won two Outer Critics Circle Awards. “The Civil War” is directed by Andrew Barrus, and stars Merrill Osmond as Captain Emmett Lochran; Bradley Robins and Regan Whimpey as Nathaniel; Carey Drisdom and Trevor Jerome as Frederick Douglass; Joseph Paur and David Weekes as Pierce: and Emily Morgan Jeppson and Adrienne Swenson as Sarah. The music director is Anne Puzey, choreographer is Marilyn May Montgomery, costume designer is Peggy Willis, technical director and set designer is Barrus, prop master and projection specialist is Kacey Udy, lighting designer is Spencer Brown, sound designer is Mike Williams, and the production assistant is Seth Larsen. Performances are Monday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with matinees each Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. and occasional weekdays at 4 p.m. Ticket prices are Monday–Thursday evenings and matinees, adult $21, child (5-11 years) $15; Friday and Saturday evening shows, adult $25, child (5-11 years) $16. Tickets may be purchased online at www.halecentretheatre.org, via telephone at (801) 984-9000 or at the Hale Centre Theatre box office, 3333 South Decker Lake Drive, West Valley City, Utah. # # # Contact:
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