On Sunday June 1st 2008, Broadway stars headed to the White House in Washington, DC for a special Civil War Gala where they performed songs from the musical "The Civil War" at the National Theater.

Actor Hal Holbrook, Trisha Yearwood, Clay Aiken, Michael Lanning, Bart Shatto, Gene Miller, Brandi Burkhardt, Cheryl Freeman,Lauren Kennedy, Capathia Jenkins, Ray McLeod, and Maya Angelou were some of the main performers and artists present. The musical was directed by Jeremy Roberts, the orchestra was conducted by Kim Scharnberg, and the gospel choir was conducted by Dave Clemmons.  Jeff Calhoun directed the performance.

Some highlights included Rob Evan singing a duet with Trisha Yearwood on "If I Should Lose My Way", Clay Aiken singing "Sarah", Brandi Burkhardt doing "I Never Knew His Name", the company (led by Michael Lanning & Gene Miller) doing "The Glory", BeBe Winans on River Jordan, Cheryl Freeman on "Someday", and Lauren Kennedy & Capathia Jenkins doing a duet of "Candle In The Window".

The musical made its premiere in Houston in 1988 before moving to Broadway. It follows the war from different perspectives. The spoken word selections invoked Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth and Lincoln among others. The show had its music written by Frank Wildhorn; lyrics by Jack Murphy and book by Frank Wildhorn and Gregory Boyd.

George and Laura Bush were present for the concert and after wards stated, "Laura and I have been coming here now for eight years to the Ford Theatre gala and this is by far the best. It's such an uplifting performance and a reminder of what a great president Abraham Lincoln was."

Rehearsal Photos

Rob Evan

Brandi Burkhardt

Michael Lanning

Rob Evan and Trisha Yearwood

Rob Evan and Trisha Yearwood

Hal Holbrook,Avery Brooks, Brandi Burkhardt and Lauren Kennedy

Hal Holbrook

Rob Evan

Capathia Jenkins and Lauren Kennedy

Danny Zolli

Frank Wildhorn and Dr. Maya Angelou

Danny Zolli, Ray McLeod and Michael Lanning

Performance Photos

Avery Brooks

Avery Brooks

Clay Aiken

Clay Aiken

Dr. Maya Angelou

Dr. Maya Angelou

Hal Holbrook

Hal Holbrook

Trisha Yearwood

Rob Evan and Trisha Yearwood

Trisha Yearwood

Trisha Yearwood

Brandi Burkhardt

Capathia Jenkins and Lauren Kennedy

Laura Bush

George W. Bush

The full ensemble

Photos Courtesy of Reflections Photography