Show Synopsis:
The Anderson family is struggling to get by despite the threat of Civil War conflict growing nearer and nearer ? patriarch Charlie is hoping that they can avoid getting involved. Their youngest Boy is friendly with Gabriel, a child slave owned by one of the Anderson?s neighbors, and they struggle to understand the differences between each other?s lifestyles. Sam wants to marry Charlie?s daughter Jenny, but when Union soldiers are found dead on Charlie?s land, their family finds themselves inadvertently part of the Civil War. Charlie visited his deceased wife Martha?s grave and asks her to send guidance on what he should do. Sam asks Charlie for Jenny?s hand in marriage and Charlie talks about marriage with him, then consents. On the morning of their wedding, Jenny?s pregnant sister-in-law Anne talks about the domestic squabbles she and James get into. A corporal summons Sam to join the army right after his wedding just as Anne goes into labor to give birth to baby Martha. Gabriel tells the family that the Boy was taken by Confederate soldiers for wearing a Union cap that he found, and the Anderson family packs up to search for him. Anne celebrates Gabriel?s freedom with him when his Master?s house is burned to the ground and then she dreams about her own house with James. Marauders come and kill the both of them. Meanwhile, the rest of the family searches a train for The Boy, but Jacob is killed by friendly fire. The family is devastated by their losses, but finds that Reverend Byrd found baby Martha alive and safe. They go to church and midway through the service, The Boy wanders in, ragged but unharmed.	

Character:
Confederate Corporal, a middle-aged man devoted to the Confederate cause; longs for his world to go back to what it was before the world	.

Song Context:
Sam tells the Confederate soldiers and his family that it is time to stop fighting and go home.

Fun Facts:
1) This musical was based on James Lee Barrett?s screenplay for the 1965 film of the same name. Barrett also collaborated on the musical?s book.
2) Shenandoah originated as a regional production at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, CT and transferred to Broadway, where it was nominated for six Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
3) Gary Harger originated the role of the Corporal on Broadway, and it was the only time he performed on a Broadway stage.