Review: 'Reunion' tells Civil War story Ken Burns-style

By John Horan Jr. -- jhoran@nvdaily.com

MIDDLETOWN -- Wayside Theatre opens its 50th season with a compelling production of "Reunion," an old-fashioned Civil War musical.

The theater's milestone was marked Sunday with encouraging news about the company's finances from artistic director Warner Crocker. He also announced that the performance space has been named in memory of James R. Wilkins, whose family has donated $100,000 to the theater.

Subtitled "A Musical Epic in Miniature," the musical takes the Ken Burns' approach to history. Like the noted PBS documentarian, "Reunion" relies on the words of those who lived through the epoch -- speeches, letters and reminiscences -- woven together by Jack Kyrieleison and Ron Holgate and often enhanced with old photographs projected on a screen.

All the music also comes from the Civil War era. Some like "Beautiful Dreamer" and "Steal Away" are familiar. Others are less so, but all aptly move the story forward and are sung beautifully by the six-member Wayside cast.

They portray a threadbare theater troupe led by Harry Hawk, an actor who had the unfortunate distinction of being on stage at Ford's Theater the night John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Lincoln. Thirty years later, to the day, the company revisits the tumult of the Civil War, but with a steely gaze.

"Reunion" provides an unsentimental take on the war. Gallantry and romanticism are exiled. Instead, the story is told straightforwardly with vignettes from soldiers and their loved ones, slaves and generals.

The friction between Lincoln and Gen. George McClellan, his pompous, recalcitrant Union Army commander, is the show's fulcrum. Bob Payne, who plays Hawk, dons a blue uniform and embodies the egotism and disdain McClellan showed toward his commander in chief.

Though Lincoln never appears, his frustrations are ably conveyed by Steve Przybylski, playing a composite of the president's secretaries.

Also capably executing a variety of roles are Dana Colagiovanni, Jody Lee, Brett Tubbs and Sehri Wickliffe.

The ensemble blends well in the songs and shows versatility with a variety of instruments. In addition to yeoman work as a pianist, Przybylski manifests a talent for playing the trumpet, both on and off key.

Wes Calkin's set recreates a vintage theater with a proscenium and footlights. The handsome period costumes are the handiwork of Tamara M. Carruthers.