Hawaii Children's Theatre and The Kauai Community Players are proud to announce their fall production of Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, a musical adaptation of the classic Mark Twain novel. Big River was written by William Hauptman with music and lyrics by famed Country singer Roger Miller and was the winner of 7 Tony Awards, including 1985 Best Musical.
Big River will open on Friday, November 9th, 2007 at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall and run for three consecutive weekends with a fabulous cast and production team under the direction of Ed Eaton, who directed HCT's highly successful production of Annie last Fall.
Big River invites the audience to journey down the "mighty Mississip" during the 1840's, along with the irrepressible, fourteen year old, Huckleberry Finn as he helps the runaway slave, Jim, escape to freedom. While Huck and Jim explore life along the Mississippi River, they have adventure after adventure, which are at times hilarious, suspenseful and heartwarming. Many of the colorful and intriguing characters from the classic 1884 novel come to life while "enacting" this "story", as Huck puts it. Some of those that are met along the way are: the Widow Douglas and her stern sister, Miss Watson; the eccentric and outrageous King and Duke, who may or may not be as harmless as they seem; Huck's best friend and partner in crime, Tom Sawyer; Tom's gang of boys; Huck's drunken and often abusive father, Pap Finn; and the beautiful and trusting Mary Jane and her two sisters.
Throughout their adventures, Huck stays true to his heart. Violating both law and convention, he assists Jim in his quest for freedom and they travel together as equals and friends. By the end of their trip down the "Old Muddy Water," the bond between them strengthens and they grow to understand, "Two Worlds are Better than One." "Propelled by an award winning score from Roger Miller, the king of country music, this jaunty journey provides a brilliantly theatrical celebration of pure Americana".
The talented, passionate and committed BIG RIVER production team includes (but is not limited to): Musical Director, Alan Van Zee; Orchestra Conductor, Dennis McGraw; Choreographer/Movement Specialist, Devi Ward; Stage Manager, Marly Madayag; and co-Producers Debra Blachowiak and Ross Martineau. We are also pleased to announce that Kaua'i theater legend, Arnold Meister, will be joining the production team to assist the Musical Director with the choral music. In addition, design and construction of the colorful and evocative sets is under the direction of our Technical Director, Ron Horoshko with Ernie Blachowiak aiding as Assistant Technical Director. Of course, no production of Big River would be complete without bringing the 1840's fashion to life, which will be masterfully done by Costume Designer, Poppy Shell and her assistant Esther Manning.
This show can be enjoyed by all ages, however please be aware that the show contains some stronger language and mild violence.
