The bloodiest war in U.S. history is now a musical for all to enjoy

Andy Lehman
Assistant Lifestyles Editor

Bart Shatto, who attended SIUE from 1985 to 1988, has made a name for himself starring in the off-Broadway musical "The Civil War."

"I've been with the show since its inception two years ago," Shatto said. "But I never could have made acting my career had it not been for the training I received from SIUE."

Shatto has been in the national tour of "Cats," has appeared on the CBS daytime drama "Guiding Light" and just finished work on an independent film called "Nine to Fivers."

"The Civil War" is much like Ken Burns' documentary about the Civil War, Shatto said. There is a huge screen onstage where pictures by Mathew Brady are projected during the musical.

Shatto describes the musical as a "mix of rock, gospel and contemporary music. It tries to tell the saga of the Civil War from many different perspectives."

Excerpts from the personal diaries of soldiers, wives, nurses and slaves are read onstage to give some sense of the turmoil that surrounded the Civil War, Shatto said.

"This is not a historical piece," Shatto said. "This is an emotional piece that leaves audiences, as well as us actors, drained at the end of every performance."

"The Civil War" runs from Wednesday to Sunday at the Palace Theater in Chicago.

Shatto said he was optimistic about the performances, with high hopes for the show coming to St. Louis.

"There has been talk of extending the run of the show another 80 weeks," Shatto said. "If that happens, then there's a good chance for the show to be performed in St. Louis."