"A Civil War Christmas," an exuberant American Musical Celebration, opens the 29th Annual William Inge Theatre Festival on April 21, at 7:30 p.m., at Independence Community College, Independence, Kansas.

It is one of the newest plays by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Paula Vogel, who is the Inge Festival's Honoree playwright. The songs are old-time carols, patriotic themes, and spirituals of the Civil War era. The music is arranged and orchestrated by composer Daryl Waters, who received Tony and Grammy nominations for his work on Bring In 'da Noise, Bring In 'da Funk" and many other shows, including "Jelly's Last Jam" and "Crowns."

Reserved seating is $20 and tickets are available online at www.ingecenter.org or at (620) 332-5491.

"A Civil War Christmas" is a tapestry of events set Christmas Eve, 1864. Inspired by historical events of that night, "A Civil War Christmas" weaves historic figures such as President and Mrs. Lincoln, Clara Barton, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow with the lives of civilians, soldiers, and fugitive slaves.

Actor and singer Yvette Freeman is a featured player, portraying Elizabeth Keckley, Mrs. Lincoln's seamstress and confidante. She has starred in the Broadway, First National, Paris and International companies of "Ain't Misbehavin'." Freeman also starred in the New York production of "Dinah Was," based on the life of the legendary jazz singer Dinah Washington, and won the 1998 Obie for Best Actress. She also received the NAACP Award and Ovation Awards for her portrayal in the Los Angeles production.

On television, she has played the role of Nurse Haleh Adams on the acclaimed dramatic series "ER" for 15 seasons, as well on the NBC series "Working."

Joining the ensemble cast are more professional guest actors, Independence Community College students, members of the community and a community chorus.

The guest director is Mark Brokaw. He is a veteran director of professional shows, garnering numerous awards for his work across the nation. Brokaw has directed four productions on Broadway, of which two earned Tony Awards for best of the season, for Best Musical (2008), and Outstanding Revival (2006).

The Inge Festival continues Thursday April 22 with a reading of "The Mountaintop," an enthralling fictional tale about Martin Luther King, Jr. on the night before his assassination. It was a smash in London last summer and is ticketed for its Broadway premiere this fall.

Katori Hall is the celebrated playwright of "The Mountaintop" and she will be present to accept the Inge Festival's Otis Guernsey New Voices Playwriting Award. Tickets are $20. Following "The Mountaintop" performance April 22, the Festival hosts "A Musical Gala Dinner." The 2009 Honoree, Tom Jones ("The Fantasticks," "110 in the Shade") returns to the Festival. Jones and special guests will perform his song cycle "Time Goes By: A Few Amusing Songs about Aging and Death," in a tongue-in-cheek revue. Tickets, including meal and show, are $45.

The Inge Festival concludes with is Tribute to the playwright Honoree, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel, on April 24. The Tribute, titled "A Hot Waltz with Paula," is a star-studded multi-media Tribute to Vogel's many renowned plays. Tickets are $35.

The William Inge Theatre Festival is named for the late William Inge, an Independence native who won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama ("Picnic") and Oscar for Best Screenplay ("Splendor in the Grass.")

A Director's Package all-festival pass is $195, which includes all evening performances, the Gala dinner, and attendance at the daytime workshops and panels. A Night Owl Package, all four evening events, is $105.

The Inge Festival also includes performances of scenes in the parlor of the historic William Inge Boyhood home and dozens of accomplished professionals in the performing arts who share their expertise.

Tickets or more information is available at ingecenter.org.

The William Inge Center for the Arts sponsors year-round professional performances and arts education programs and is located at Independence Community College, Kansas.

Major supporters include the Kansas Arts Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Hallmark Corporation, the Dramatists Guild Fund, and Independence Community College.