August 11-23
Big River
Music and Lyrics by ROGER MILLER
Book by WILLIAM HAUPTMAN
Adapted from the novel by Mark Twain
OPENING AUGUST 11 AT 8:30
and playing through AUGUST 23
Directed & Produced by BRENDAN RAGOTZY
It was kind of solemn, drifting down the big, still river, laying on our back looking up at the stars
- Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain, 1884
(Augusta, MI) Get ready for some knee slappin, foot stompin, hand clappin, down home musical fun for the whole family, when BIG RIVER flows into the Barn Theatre August 11-23!
BIG RIVER brings Mark Twains famed classic The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to life! The audience is taken on a timeless journey down the mighty and majestic Mississippi River as the irrepressible Huck Finn (portrayed by Barn favorite Kevin White) helps his friend Jim (Chicago Guest Star Todd M. Kryger), a slave, escape to freedom at the mouth of the Ohio River. Their adventures along the way are hilarious, suspenseful and heartwarming, bringing to life favorite characters from the novel including The King and The Duke (played by Gregg Rehrig and Eric Parker respectively), Pap Finn (Steven Lee Burright), Tom Sawyer (Eric Morris), and Mary Jane Wilkes (portrayed by 1st year apprentice Jessica Malashevich.) The cast also features Stanley White (who was seen in THE FULL MONTY), Chicago Guest Artists Byron Glenn Willis and Alexis J. Rogers, as well as Brooke Evans and Lisa Marie Morabito. The brilliant score and lyrics by Roger Miller features such tuneful delights as The Boys, Guvment, Hand For The Hog, I, Huckleberry, Me, Muddy Water and River in the Rain.
BIG RIVER was originally presented at the American Repertory Theatre in Massachusetts on February of 1984 and subsequently presented at The La Jolla Playhouse in June of 1984. BIG RIVER opened on Broadway at the Eugene ONeill Theatre on April 25, 1985 and ran for a profitable 1,005 performances. A revival of BIG RIVER was mounted and after twenty-eight previews, it opened on Broadway on July 24, 2003 at the American Airlines Theatre, where it ran for 67 performances. This production, staged by the Roundabout Theatre Company and Deaf West Theatre, was notable in that it featured both deaf and hearing actors performing together. About half the characters, including the leading role of Huck, were played by deaf or hard-of-hearing performers. All dialogue and lyrics in the production were both spoken or sung and signed, making the production equally accessible to hearing and deaf audiences.
BIG RIVER is directed by Brendan Ragotzy. Choreography is by Kevin Field with Musical Direction by John Jay Espino. Set design by Tom Burch and Dusty Reeds. Costumes are designed by Michael Wilson Morgan. Properties are by James B. Knox. Lights are designed by Aaron Siegmann, Elizabeth Robson has designed the sound and Garrylee McCormick is wig/hair master. Technical Director is Fred Gillette.
BIG RIVER plays through August 23. Performances are Tuesday through Friday at 8:30 PM, Saturday at 6:00 PM & 9:00 PM, and Sunday at 5:00 PM. Enjoy refreshments in the Rehearsal Shed Lounge with friends before, during intermission and after the show. Enjoy a light snack while being entertained by the free cabaret-style show in the Rehearsal Shed Lounge after the main stage performance.
The Barn Theatre is located on M-96, west of Augusta. Tickets are $29.00 for all performances and Visa, MasterCard and Discover are accepted. Group prices available. The box office is open daily 10:00 am-10:00 pm. For tickets or more information call (269) 731-4121. www.barntheatre.com
click corner
to turn page
