WACO, Texas — A Broadway-style musical about the total solar eclipse back in 1878 is debuting in Waco on April 7, just a day before the total solar eclipse.
This all came about from the book American Eclipse by eclipse chaser and science writer, David Baron.
He saw his first solar eclipse in 1998 and thought this was an experience everyone should see.
In the summer of 2017, he decided to write American Eclipse for the total eclipse that year.
"It felt like the country was kind of falling apart," Baron said. "We couldn't all see eye-to-eye but at least for that for that one day, August 21 of 2017, you had people from all different backgrounds coming together to just share this, this moment of wonder at the universe and we're going to see that again on April 8."
It tells the true story of at total solar eclipse that crossed Texas and the American Frontier in 1878 and inspired our country's rise as a scientific power.
It's a tale of the Wild West and Gilded Age, featuring a young Thomas Edison and the pioneering Vassar College astronomer Maria Mitchell, who led to an all-female eclipse expedition in Denver.
Baron's publisher is now reissuing his book for the eclipse this year.
"It's the same historical story, but I've added an essay and afterward, where I reflect on what happened in 2017, which was this moment of unity for our country," Baron said.
Along with that, the book has been turned into a musical because of the impact.
"Music is the perfect way to bring to life the awe of a total solar eclipse," Baron said. "But this is something I never expected to happen when I wrote my book."
The world premiere of music from the musical American Eclipse will feature Broadway performers backed up by performing arts students at Baylor on April 7.
"Waco is really fortunate to see the world premiere of music from the musical American Eclipse, a half dozen Broadway performers," Baron added. "These are Broadway stars who've got Tony nominations. They are coming down to Waco to sing and be backed up by performing arts students at Baylor to perform a number of the songs from the musical."
For more information on the musical and to purchase tickets, click here.
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