Mad Cow Theatre Announces Cast and Creative Team for BIG RIVER

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.

Adapted from the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, Big River tells the story of reckless Huckleberry "Huck" Finn, runaway slave Jim, and the journey they take together along the roaring Mississippi River. Huck and Jim's heartfelt experience is told through foot-stompin' music as they navigate their way in search of freedom, friendship, and their future - a classic celebration of pure Americana adventure.

The original Broadway production of Big River took home seven Tony Awards in 1985, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Original Score, becoming one of the very successful American musicals of the 1980s. Mark Twain's original publication has been cited as "the first Great American Novel" and is often revered for its biting satire and moving themes of morality, identity, and social injustice.

Returning to the Mad Cow Theatre stage are Jeffrey Todd Parrott* (Animal Crackers, The History Boys) as Huckleberry Finn, Clinton Harris* (Ain't Misbehavin', The Brothers Size) as Jim, Bobbie Bell (Pygmalion, You Can't Take It With You) as Pap, and Alex Mansoori as The Duke (It Was A Very Good Yule.) Mad Cow also welcomes Liam O'Connor as Tom Sawyer, Mickey "MJ" Layman as the King, and Melissa Jean Peterson as Mary Jane. Big River also features Matt Lipscomb (Three Sisters, The History Boys) as Dick/Andy, Janine Papin (1776, My Fair Lady) as Widow Douglas/Sally Phelps, Emilie Sheetz (1776, It Was A Very Good Year) as Jo Harper/JoAnna Wilkes, Ben Campbell as Ben/Hank, Monica Mulder as Simon/Susan, Reca Oakley* as Alice, Austin Sultzbach as Judge Thatcher/Harvey Wilkes, and LaDawn Taylor as Alice's Daughter. Whitney Morse (1776, The Secret Garden,) Damany O. Riley (Fences, Dreamgirls,) Michael Cerasoli, and Zachary S. Williams round out the ensemble, and Jacqueline Cunningham (James Joyce's The Dead) is featured as an onstage musician.

Big River is directed by Mark Edward Smith (The Amish Project, 1776,) with music direction by Timothy Turner (It Was A Very Good Year,) Scenic Design by Alex Whittenberg (Skylight, Constellations,) Lighting Design by Eric Craft (Animal Crackers, Three Sisters,) and Costume Design by Bailee Booser. Lisa Egan Woods* serves as Stage Manager.

*Denotes member of Actors' Equity Association.
Previous credits with Mad Cow in parentheses.

Big River runs September 22 - October 22, 2017 in the Harriett Theatre at Mad Cow Theatre, 54 W. Church Street (second floor) in downtown Orlando. (Click here for directions.) Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays and at 2:30 p.m. Sundays, with additional performances Saturday, September 30 at 2:30 p.m. and Mondays, October 2 and 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Opening night is Friday September 22 at 7:30 p.m. This performance will be followed by Mad Cow's traditional champagne reception in the lobby. Preview performance is Thursday, September 21 at 7:30 p.m.

Monday Nights: Each Harriett production includes two discounted Monday night performances. Monday night performances for Big River will be held on October 2 and 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Second Saturdays: Join us on the second Saturday of each production for a special matinee. The Saturday matinee for Big River will be held on September 30 at 2:30 p.m.

Talkbacks take place after each Thursday and Sunday performance. Talkbacks are free to audience members, and the public may attend at no extra cost.

Regular tickets start at $33. Preview tickets are $15. Discount Monday night performances start at $18. Tickets are available online at madcowtheatre.com or by calling the Mad Cow Theatre box office at 407-297-8788 ext. 1.

Other discounts are available for students and active military. More information is available online on our Savings Programs page.

All tickets are subject to a $2 facility fee. Students receive a $7 discount with ID. Active military receive a $10 discount with ID. Seniors 65+ receive a $3 discount. Group discounts are available for parties of 10 or more. Student groups of 10 or more are eligible for a 50% discount on full-price tickets.

Tickets may be purchased by calling Mad Cow Theatre's box office at 407-297-8788 ext. 1 or by visiting madcowtheatre.com.

Parking Information available here. The theatre is located on the second floor at 54 West Church Street, Orlando, FL 32801.

Mad Cow Theatre is a 501(c)(3) arts organization funded by the State of Florida, Division of Cultural Affairs; United Arts of Central Florida; the Downtown Development Board; the Florida Theatrical Association; Orange County government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs program, and members of the Central Florida community just like you.