First Minnesota – A Civil War musical The true story of a small regiment of 262 soldiers from Minnesota who made a historic charge to the death at Gettysburg. The 262 charged 1,600 Confederate soldiers to hold a ridge and save the Union line. 215 Minnesotans became casualties and only 47 were unscathed. The next day they faced 15,000 southern soldiers with Pickett’s charge and an additional 23 Minnesotans lost their lives. An emotional dramatic story with music and lyrics intertwined with the action. Though this is not the full stage play, this original cast recording is filled with heartfelt singing performances and dramatic scene excerpts complete with intense battle sound effects and all accompanied by a small organic orchestra of talented musicians. There are powerful songs with a military motif such as: COMMAND SONG, INDUCTION SONG and MARCH INTO BATTLE. And songs of sensitive introspection such as: I KNOW YOUR SONG, SO LONG AGO and THESE LONELY NIGHTS. Emotions range from the lighthearted IT ALL STARTS WITH AN A (a Flashback scene) and REBEL REEL to the intense battles with sound effects in THE CHARGE and FINAL BATTLE – PICKETS CHARGE. An important inclusion of the women back home is in WOMEN’S CHORUS HYMN, THESE LONELY NIGHTS, LETTERS and MOTHERS’S SONG. This recording is sure to entertain, educate and stir the emotions while hearing this dramatic musical true story come to life. The script, lyrics and music are all composed by David James Carlson who is singing and in scene excerpts as general Hancock. Cast includes Jarod Schreifels, Aaron VanDanacker, Morgan Winston, Mike Reed, John Sjogren, Leo M. Whitebird, Dawn LeClair, Sarah Turner, Randi Rae, Ellie Favell and David James Carlson. Orchestra includes Sally Heinz- flute, Dan Sievert- trumpet, Ann Viviano- violin, Jim Miller- snare drum and David James Carlson- guitar, bass, piano, harmonica, banjo, percussion. (Includes a trifold six panel CD case, beautifully illustrated art on the CD, photos of Minnesota state capital statuary commemorating the event, album credits and complete notes about the story and the stage musical.) A must for all lovers of history and musical theater.