Big River 1985 - Articles Page 5

Opened: April 25, 1985
Closing: September 20, 1987

Big River - 1985 - Broadway History , Info & More

Eugene O'Neill Theatre (Broadway)
230 West 49th St. New York, NY

Based on the novel Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

The production is based on the 2003 Broadway staging by the Roundabout Theatre Company and the American Deaf West Theatre. Huckleberry Finn narrates the story of Huck, a young man who takes a long journey to accompany an escaped slave named Jim on his quest for freedom. In the process, Huck learns a great deal about himself and about the developing country around him.



The show blends American Sign Language (ASL) with traditional choreography and staging, affording a unique opportunity for deaf and hearing actors to work collaboratively and provide accessibility to a wider audience. In this adaptation, every line and lyric is simultaneously performed in spoken (or sung) English and ASL, and interwoven with music, dance, and storytelling techniques from both hearing and deaf cultures.

Big River - 1985 - Broadway Cast

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Big River - 1985 - Broadway Articles Page 5

Con Men, Kings, and Producers: Matthew Broderick Brings Broadway to the Big (and Small) Screens
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 27, 2017


It was announced this week that two-time Tony Award winner Matthew Broderick, will star as the narrator in FOX's live musical event, A CHRISTMAS STORY LIVE! As the narrator, Broderick will play the grown-up 'Ralphie Parker,' who looks back with love and humor on his favorite childhood Christmas.

Mad Cow Theatre Announces Cast and Creative Team for BIG RIVER
by BWW News Desk - Sep 22, 2017


Mad Cow Theatre has announced its upcoming production of Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, music and lyrics by Roger Miller, book by William Hauptman, presented in The Harriett Theatre September 22 as the first production of Mad Cow Theatre's Season 21.

2018 Artios Awards Nominations in Television, Theatre, Short Form Series and Short Film Announced
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 20, 2017


The Casting Society of America announced nominees for the 2018 Artios Awards for all Television, Theatre, Short Films and Short Form Series categories. Congratulations to all the nominees!!

Photo Flash: BIG RIVER: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Opens at Theatre at the Center
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 18, 2017


Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn opened to a packed house at Theatre at the Center on Sunday night. Audience members leapt to their feet at the end of the performance of the now Jeff-Recommended production. Actors James Romney in the role of Huck and Jonathan Butler-Duplessis in the role of Jim lead the cast in the musical that continues through October 15.

NY Premiere of 'POLKADOTS' Musical Opens Tonight at the Altantic
by BroadwayWorld JR - Sep 16, 2017


Atlantic for Kids' 2017-2018 Season opens today, September 16, with the family musical Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical, inspired by Ruby Bridges and the Little Rock Nine featuring music by Greg Borowsky and Douglas Lyons, lyrics and concept by Douglas Lyons, book by Melvin Tunstall III and direction by Tamilla Woodard.

Mad Cow Theatre Announces Cast and Creative Team for BIG RIVER
by BWW News Desk - Sep 15, 2017


Mad Cow Theatre has announced its upcoming production of Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, music and lyrics by Roger Miller, book by William Hauptman, presented in The Harriett Theatre September 22 as the first production of Mad Cow Theatre's Season 21.

Marsha Mason Directs Arizona Theatre Company's Season-Opening Performance CHAPTER TWO
by BWW News Desk - Sep 13, 2017


Arizona Theatre Company (ATC; David Ivers, Artistic Director; Billy Russo, Managing Director) is pleased to welcome back four-time Academy Award-nominee Marsha Mason, who will direct Neil Simon's autobiographical romantic comedy Chapter Two to open ATC's 51st season, Oct. 5-22 at the Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe in Phoenix.

BIG RIVER: THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN Floating to Theatre at the Center This Fall
by BWW News Desk - Sep 5, 2017


Actors James Romney in the role of Huck and Jonathan Butler-Duplessis in the role of Jim lead the cast of Theatre at the Center's Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The musical begins previews Sept. 14 with opening night on September 17 for a run that continues through Oct. 15.  

Jared Zirilli Joins SUMMER: THE DONNA SUMMER MUSICAL at La Jolla Playhouse
by BWW News Desk - Sep 5, 2017


BroadwayWorld has confirmed that Jared Zirilli will star as Summer's husband and bassist 'Bruce Sudano' in the show, which runs November 7 - December 17, 2017.

Critic's Choice: What's Playing in Tennessee? Nashville Theater Calendar for August 31
by Jeffrey Ellis - Aug 31, 2017


Feeling the urge to let your imagination run wild, your spirit to soar or to just leave the world in which you live and go on an adventure? Sounds like a trip to the theater is in order! Luckily, companies all over the Volunteer State have been hard at work, creating new productions to transform and to transport, shows that will entertain you this summer. That's where THE NASHVILLE THEATER CALENDAR comes in handy: Peruse our listings every week to find out what shows you should see!

FOR PETER PAN ON HER 70TH BIRTHDAY Brings Happy Thoughts Off-Broadway Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Aug 18, 2017


Previews begin tonight, August 18, for the Playwrights Horizons New York premiere production of For Peter Pan on her 70th Birthday, a new play by two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony Award nominee Sarah Ruhl (Stage Kiss, Dead Man's Cell Phone at Playwrights; In the Next Room, or the vibrator play; The Clean House).

FRIDAY 5 (+1) on Thursday: BIG RIVER's Teal Davis & Elliott Robinson
by Jeffrey Ellis - Aug 17, 2017


Among the show's stars are Teal Davis and Elliott Robinson, who portray the show's protagonists Huck and Jim and take audiences on a journey down the Mississippi River in the rollicking, rambunctious show. Somehow, the two actors found time in their hectic, tech week schedules and sat down to take on our questions in order to offer some insight into why they do what they do, as well as suggesting why you just can't miss Big River during its three-weekend run at 108 Donelson Pike.

Critic's Choice: What's Playing in Tennessee? Nashville Theater Calendar for August 18
by Jeffrey Ellis - Aug 16, 2017


Feeling the urge to let your imagination run wild, your spirit to soar or to just leave the world in which you live and go on an adventure? Sounds like a trip to the theater is in order! Luckily, companies all over the Volunteer State have been hard at work, creating new productions to transform and to transport, shows that will entertain you this summer. That's where THE NASHVILLE THEATER CALENDAR comes in handy: Peruse our listings every week to find out what shows you should see!

Oscar Nominee Marsha Mason Returns To Arizona Theatre Company To Direct CHAPTER TWO
by BWW News Desk - Aug 16, 2017


Arizona Theatre Company (ATC; David Ivers, Artistic Director; Billy Russo, Managing Director) is pleased to welcome back four-time Academy Award-nominee Marsha Mason, who will direct Neil Simon's autobiographical romantic comedy Chapter Two to open ATC's 51st season, Sept. 9-30 at the Temple of Music & Art, 333 S. Scott Ave. in Tucson, Oct. 5-22 at the Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe in Phoenix.

FOR PETER PAN ON HER 70TH BIRTHDAY Brings Happy Thoughts Off-Broadway This Week
by BWW News Desk - Aug 14, 2017


A friendly reminder! Previews begin this Friday, August 18 at 7:30 PM for the Playwrights Horizons New York premiere production of For Peter Pan on her 70th birthday, a new play by two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony Award nominee Sarah Ruhl (Stage Kiss, Dead Man's Cell Phone at Playwrights; In the Next Room, or the vibrator play; The Clean House). 

Sound Theatre Company to Close 2017 Season with Victorian Poem-Inspired GOBLIN MARKET
by BWW News Desk - Aug 10, 2017


Sound Theatre Company presents GOBLIN MARKET a musical based on the poem by Victorian era poet Christina Rossetti, by Polly Pen and Peggy Harmon.

Critic's Choice: What's Playing in Tennessee? Nashville Theater Calendar for August 9
by Jeffrey Ellis - Aug 9, 2017


Feeling the urge to let your imagination run wild, your spirit to soar or to just leave the world in which you live and go on an adventure? Sounds like a trip to the theater is in order! Luckily, companies all over the Volunteer State have been hard at work, creating new productions to transform and to transport, shows that will entertain you this summer. That's where THE NASHVILLE THEATER CALENDAR comes in handy: Peruse our listings every week to find out what shows you should see!

DAMN YANKEES, Starring Jason Graae, to Knock the Ball Out of the Park at Music Circus This Month
by BWW News Desk - Aug 8, 2017


The 67th Music Circus season continues with Damn Yankees, one of the most enduring Broadway musicals, featuring a score by legendary composers Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, and a cast that includes a number of veterans of New York City's Broadway stages.

Complete Casting Announced for TORCH SONG at Second Stage Theater
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 7, 2017


Second Stage Theater (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director, Casey Reitz, Executive Director) has announced complete casting for its upcoming production of Harvey Fierstein's TORCH SONG, directed by Moises Kaufman.

Playwrights Horizons Opens Online Lottery for First Preview of FOR PETER PAN ON HER 70th BIRTHDAY
by BWW News Desk - Aug 7, 2017


Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) begins accepting entries today, Monday, August 7 at 12 Noon, for the LIVEforFIVE online lottery for $5 tickets to the New York premiere production of FOR PETER PAN ON HER 70th BIRTHDAY

Critic's Choice: What's Playing in Tennessee? Nashville Theater Calendar for August 3, 2017
by Jeffrey Ellis - Aug 3, 2017


Feeling the urge to let your imagination run wild, your spirit to soar or to just leave the world in which you live and go on an adventure? Sounds like a trip to the theater is in order! Luckily, companies all over the Volunteer State have been hard at work, creating new productions to transform and to transport, shows that will entertain you this summer. That's where THE NASHVILLE THEATER CALENDAR comes in handy: Peruse our listings every week to find out what shows you should see!

New Song Cycle A NEVER-ENDING LINE Begins Off-Broadway Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Aug 3, 2017


A Never-Ending Line, a new song cycle composed by Jaime Lozano (The Yellow Brick Road, Children of Salt), made its New York debut at the Metropolitan Room last month and opens tonight, August 3, in a full run Off-Broadway at The Players Theatre in Greenwich Village.

DAMN YANKEES, Starring Jason Graae, to Knock the Ball Out of the Park at Music Circus This Month
by BWW News Desk - Aug 1, 2017


The 67th Music Circus season continues with Damn Yankees, one of the most enduring Broadway musicals, featuring a score by legendary composers Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, and a cast that includes a number of veterans of New York City's Broadway stages.

Atlantic For Kids to Present New York Premiere of POLKADOTS: THE COOL KIDS MUSICAL
by BroadwayWorld JR - Aug 1, 2017


Atlantic for Kids' 2017-2018 Season will open Saturday, September 16 with the family musical Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical, inspired by Ruby Bridges and the Little Rock Nine featuring music by Greg Borowsky and Douglas Lyons, lyrics and concept by Douglas Lyons, book by Melvin Tunstall III and direction by Tamilla Woodard.

THE BOY FRIEND at California Stage Theatre - The End of an Era with Sacramento Icon Ron Cisneros
by Courtney Symes - Aug 1, 2017


The Sacramento children's theatre community is going to have some big shoes to fill next summer. For the past 32 years kids have flocked to the Pied Piper of junior musical theatre, Ron Cisneros. Watching him with "his kids", as he calls them, it's no wonder that he has put on a successful summer program since 1985. He alternates between big hugs, stern affection, and an intense dedication to the craft that has made him a Sacramento icon. Unfortunately, this is the last summer of children's workshops for Cisneros Studio of Dance.

Other Productions of Big River

1985   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
1986   US Tour 1st National Tour
US Tour
1987   US Tour 2nd National Tour
US Tour
1997   Milburn, NJ (Regional) Paper Mill Production
Milburn, NJ (Regional)
2003   Broadway Roundabout Revival
Broadway
2004   US Tour National Tour
US Tour

Big River - 1985 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
1985 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Actor in a Musical Ron Richardson
1985 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Actor in a Musical Daniel H. Jenkins
1985 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Costume Design Patricia McGourty
1985 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Rene Auberjonois
1985 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical John Short
1985 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Bob Gunton
1985 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical John Goodman
1985 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Patti Cohenour
1985 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Lighting Design Richard Riddell
1985 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Lyrics Roger Miller
1985 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Music Roger Miller
1985 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Orchestrations Danny Troob
1985 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Orchestrations Steven Margoshes
1985 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Set Design Heidi Landesman
1985 The Hewes Awards Costume Design Patricia McGourty
1985 The Hewes Awards Lighting Design Richard Riddell
1985 The Hewes Awards Scenic Design Heidi Landesman-Ettinger
1985 Tony Awards Best Book of a Musical Big River
1985 Tony Awards Best Costume Design Patricia McGourty
1985 Tony Awards Best Direction of a Musical Des McAnuff
1985 Tony Awards Best Lighting Design Richard Riddell
1985 Tony Awards Best Musical Dodger Theatricals
1985 Tony Awards Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre Roger Miller
1985 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical Ron Richardson
1985 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical Daniel H. Jenkins
1985 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical Rene Auberjonois

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