Big River 1985 - Articles Page 20

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

Get Big River Email Alerts

Be the first to get ticket offers, news, photos & more.

Big River - 1985 - Broadway Articles Page 20

Des McAnuff to Depart from La Jolla Playhouse in 2007
by BWW News Desk - Jun 21, 2006


Ralph Bryan, President of the Board of Trustees of La Jolla Playhouse today announced that Artistic Director Des McAnuff will not be renewing his contract, scheduled to expire in 2007.

Jersey Boys to Launch National Tour in San Francisco December 2006
by BWW News Desk - Mar 29, 2006


The hit Broadway musical, JERSEY BOYS, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, which has taken Broadway by storm, will launch a National Tour in San Francisco beginning in December, 2006. JERSEY BOYS, which opened to rave reviews on November 6, 2005, continues to set new weekly box office records at the August Wilson Theatre and has been among the top grossing shows on Broadway ever since.

Daniel Jenkins Joins Cast of Separating the Men from the Bull Jan 28 - Feb 19
by BWW News Desk - Dec 31, 2005


DANIEL JENKINS, who received a Tony Award nomination for his portrayal of Huck in the 1985 production of Big River on Broadway, will join the cast of SEPARATING THE MEN FROM THE BULL, presented by the Unofficial New York Yale Cabaret, a new theatre company made up of Yale School of Drama graduates recently chosen as one of NYTheatre.com's 'People of the Year' 2005.

Billy Crystal Brings 700 Sundays to Chicago November 2005
by BWW News Desk - Aug 15, 2005


Broadway In Chicago announces today that Billy Crystal will bring 700 SUNDAYS, his 2005 Tony Award-winning Broadway blockbuster to Chicago for a limited engagement at the Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W. Randolph St.) from November 8-20, 2005.

Pittsburg CLO Welcomes Paige Davis, Dee Hoty, Alice Ripley, Matt Cavenaugh, and More
by BWW News Desk - Apr 9, 2005


Pittsburgh CLO is proud to announce that Summer Season 2005 will feature a talented array of the entertainment industry's most respected and sought after performers.

An Interview with Broadway's Jason Danieley & Marin Mazzie
by Pati Buehler - Feb 11, 2005


This lovely, lively couple have made their mark as one of the few husband and wife Broadway performers and they are having the time of their lives!

Deaf West's 'Big River' Flows Smoothly
by Pati Buehler - Dec 4, 2004


The Deaf West Theatre Production of Big River takes bold and inventive steps to breathe life into an American classic.

Reviews of 'Avenue Q' and 'Big River'
by Adrienne Onofri - Aug 11, 2003


Big River FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of Big River have there been?
Big River has had 8 productions including Broadway which opened in 1985, Broadway which opened in 1985, US Tour which opened in 1986, US Tour which opened in 1987, Milburn, NJ (Regional) which opened in 1997, Broadway which opened in 2003, Broadway which opened in 2003 and US Tour which opened in 2004.
What Tony Awards has Big River been nominated for?
Big River has been nominated for several Tony Awards. These include nominations for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Costume Design for Patricia McGourty, Best Direction of a Musical for Des McAnuff, Best Lighting Design for Richard Riddell, and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Roger Miller.
What Tony Awards has Big River won?
Big River has won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical for Big River, Best Costume Design for Patricia McGourty, Best Direction of a Musical for Des McAnuff, Best Lighting Design for Richard Riddell, and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Roger Miller.
What awards has Big River been nominated for?
Big River has been nominated for several awards. These include Outstanding Costume Design, Outstanding Lighting Design, Outstanding Lyrics, Outstanding Music, Outstanding Orchestrations, Outstanding Set Design, Costume Design, Lighting Design, and Scenic Design. Patricia McGourty was nominated for Outstanding Costume Design at the Drama Desk Awards, as well as for Costume Design at The Hewes Awards. Richard Riddell received a nomination for Outstanding Lighting Design at the Drama Desk Awards, as well as for Lighting Design at The Hewes Awards. Roger Miller was nominated for Outstanding Lyrics and Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards. Steven Margoshes and Danny Troob were both nominated for Outstanding Orchestrations at the Drama Desk Awards. Heidi Landesman-Ettinger received nominations for Outstanding Set Design at the Drama Desk Awards and Scenic Design at The Hewes Awards.
What awards has Big River won?
Big River has won several awards for its outstanding achievements in various categories. These include the following: - Outstanding Costume Design at the Drama Desk Awards for Patricia McGourty - Outstanding Lighting Design at the Drama Desk Awards for Richard Riddell - Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards for Roger Miller - Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards for Roger Miller - Outstanding Orchestrations at the Drama Desk Awards for Steven Margoshes - Outstanding Orchestrations at the Drama Desk Awards for Danny Troob - Outstanding Set Design at the Drama Desk Awards for Heidi Landesman - Costume Design at The Hewes Awards for Patricia McGourty - Lighting Design at The Hewes Awards for Richard Riddell - Scenic Design at The Hewes Awards for Heidi Landesman-Ettinger These awards highlight the exceptional talent and creativity showcased in Big River.

Videos