AUGUSTA, Mich, — The Barn Theatre has elected to end its 2009 season with a bang — literally.

Opening Tuesday evening and playing for one week only is “The Civil War”  by Frank Wildhorn whose creative resume includes theatrical melodramas “Jekyll and Hyde” (still popular with regional and civic groups) and “The Scarlet Pimpernel” (better than “J&H” but never as popular), both based on fictional novels.

No single work of fiction was needed for “The Civil War.” What it needed originally (it only ran for two months on Broadway) and still needs are cohesive story lines and, here at least, a lot more action.

Confederate soldiers prepare to fight in "The Civil War," on stage at The Barn Theatre through Sunday.

If that sounds like an oxymoron when referring to a mini-opera about the bloodiest time in the history of the United States, it is unfortunately a fact. It is difficult to grasp a thread of the stories of a family from the north and one from the south and the slaves they owned and freed, especially here where director Brendan Ragotzy has opted to have each of several  major roles sung by two or three company members. Lisa Ann Morabito, Penelope Alex and especially Brooke Evans have solid soprano voices but having them all sing the character of Sarah is confusing and makes one wonder if there is some hidden meaning to the role other than just letting three of this year’s leading ladies have a crack at it. Except for the role of Bessie, a slave, also given dual personas by Lindsey Aeriel Grimble and the powerfully voiced Alexis J. Rogers, there are only two other solo spots for the ladies. These are handled well by Jenna Petardi as the mother of  ”Five Boys” who died for the North, and Stephanie C. Forshee who, with Evans and Grimble, sings of “A Candle in the Window” of the White House.

Actually, in spite of all the rousing military-themed male solos and chorus numbers, Wildhorn designs his best and most moving melodies for the ladies. All are in good hands — and voices — here.

The excellent Aaron Velthouse is taxed with two major roles, Lochran and Bill (happily both northerners), which he delivers with as much separation of character as possible and a lot of excellent vocal work. Barn favorite Eric Parker is Pierce, a Virginian colonel and Lochran’s Confederate counterpart. It is a pleasure to listen to both, singly and in duets. Two other Northern solo spots are delivered strongly and smoothly by Alex Kip and Kevin White.

Slaves (from left Stanley White, Todd M. Kryge and Lindsey Aeriel Grimble) long for freedom in The Barn Theatre production of Frank Wildhorn's "The Civil War."

Byron Glenn Willis is  Frederick Douglas, the voice of the slaves, and the quintet of black singers who play all the roles from the slave block to eventual freedom, sing powerfully if sometimes unintelligibly. It would help to understand the lyrics, but possibly this is a sound problem that will be solved quickly. ”Star” Fee Waybill is a Confederate soldier with one country-rock number and two ensemble appearances. The designation should go to Parker and Velthouse.

There are some lovely melodies in  ”The Civil War” which is played out on a stage divided, North being primarily stage right and South, stage left. Appropriate flags hang at each side of the playing area with the back wall reserved for a continuous Civil War slide show ala Ken Burns and PBS. Unfortunately,the action moves at about the same pace, with singers inevitably winding up in a line — up or down stage — with very little action en route.

The orchestra is supportive and not overwhelming with the exception of several of the spoken passages, primarily texts from Lincoln and Douglas. The final words are so over-ridden that the desired dramatic effect unfortunately is  compromised.

“The Civil War” plays at 8:30 p.m. through Friday, 6 and 9 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday in the theater on M-96 west of Augusta. Tickets are $29. For reservations and information, call (269) 731-4121.