Low male voice repertoire in contemporary musical theatre: a studio and performance guide of selected songs 1996-2020 by

Musical 
Music Lyrics 
Range 
Tessitura 
The Civil War (1998) 
Frank Wildhorn 
Jack Murphy 
E
2
– E
4
Verses - L 
Bridge - L 
Climax – MH 
Musical Theatre Style 
Song Type/Feel 
Tempo 
Legit 
Dramatic Ballad 
56bpm, Rubato 
Vocalism 
Breathy 
Speech-like 
Character 
Belt 
Legit 
Operatic 
Sources: Data adapted from Michel Bell, “Father How Long?,” track 14 on The Civil War: The Complete Work, 
Atlantic Recording Corporation, 2001, Amazon Music streaming audio, 
https://music.amazon.com/albums/B01KFR7PPK?trackAsin=B01KFR878Y&ref=dm_sh_702d-6230-dmcp-0601-
341ab&musicTerritory=US&marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER; Frank Wildhorn, “Father, How Long?,” in The 
Civil War: Vocal Selections (New York, NY: Cherry Lane Music, 2000): 39-41. 
Plot 
Frank Wildhorn’s The Civil War is a theatrical musical experience presented as a revue which 
explores the experiences of soldiers, slaves, and families during the conflict. The series of vignettes call 
for strong solo singers (in a multitude of styles) as well as male-heavy ensemble numbers.
5
A modified 
production in 2015 titled “Freedom’s Song: Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War” attempted to achieve 
more narrative clarity than previous versions of the show, and functioned as a featured event in 
Washington, D.C., commemorating the 150
th
anniversary of Lincoln’s assassination.
6
Music Theatre 
International licenses the 1999 Original Broadway Version for theatres across the United States.
7
Character and Context 
5
“The Civil War,” Music Theatre International, MTI Enterprises Inc., accessed August 17, 2020, 
https://www.mtishows.com/the-civil-war. 
6
Jane Horwitz, “Good cast makes the best of entertaining ‘Freedom’s Song’,” The Washington Post, 
March 20, 2015, accessed August 17, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater_dance/cast-
makes-the-best-of-entertaining-but-generic-tune-of-freedoms-song/2015/03/20/b3b5bfbe-ce72-11e4-a2a7-
9517a3a70506_story.html. 
7
“The Civil War.” 

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21 
Near the end of the first act, Clayton Toler appears as a gravedigger. Prior to this appearance he 
sings the duet “If Prayin’ Were Horses” with his wife, Bessie, as they are sold to different slave owners.
In “Father, How Long”, Clayton offers a stirring prayer and inquiry to God as he reflects on the conflict, 
and his desire for an end to death and his bondage.
8