Adventure Collaborates With Black Community For Huckleberry Finn's BIG RIVER

Adventure Theatre MTC (ATMTC), recent recipient of a Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Play or Musical Adaptation, takes a mighty leap down the Mississippi River with Huckleberry Finn's Big River, revised from Tony Award winning musical Big River, adapted from the classic Mark Twain book. With the support of over 100 consensus organizers (individuals and organizations serving the black community), this revision uses the original music and lyrics by Roger Miller with new arrangements and orchestrations by William Yanesh. Additionally, this revision, expands the role of Jim, now the same age as Huckleberry, and removes offensive language.

African-American consensus organizers from all over Washington, DC contributed input, content, and financial support for this production in all areas including the set, costumes, script, marketing materials, and educational materials. Included in this highly engaged' group are Joy Turner, Sandy Springs Slave Museum; Craig Muckle, Archdiocese of Washington; Alyssa Lee, Maryland State Department of Education; Andrew Plumley, Equity in the Center; Barbara Boney, Montgomery County Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.; Tony Cohen, Buttons Farm; Ebonie Cooper, Friends of Ebonie Cooper; Bernie Demsczuk, Ben's Chili Bow; Peggy Morris, Sisters 4 Sisters Network, Inc.; Jari Santos, Our Public Service; Jared Shamberger, Young Playwright's Theatre; Denise Stokes, Six Flags; and Devin walker, Uncle Devin Show.

Michael J. Bobbitt, Artistic Director says, "This group has been so strong throughout the entire process of making this polarizing story, into one that truly maintains historical accuracy, engages children with a contemporary and memorable way and does not re-injure people. This is an American story that we can all be proud of creating together."

Twain's timeless classic sweeps us down the mighty Mississippi as the irrepressible Huck Finn helps his friend Jim, a slave, escape to freedom at the mouth of the Ohio River. This tale of friendship against all odds is recreated for young audiences as two best friends demonstrate the power of changing the world.

Leon Seemann, Managing Director of Adventure Theatre MTC says, "This is the perfect time for a show about the power of friendship across cultures. It's this kind of piece that emphasizes the importance of empathy, which is why many parents take their children to the theatre in the first place. We are so lucky to have the support and partnership of our Consensus Organizers like the Sandy Spring Slave Museum, Equity in the Center and Historian, Bernard Demczuk of Ben's Chili Bowl to help us educate children on navigating this complicated topic."

Huckleberry Finn's Big River performances begin February 8 and run through March 10, 2019. The press performance will be Sunday, February 10, 2019 at 2pm. All performances will take place at Adventure Theatre MTC, 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD, 20812 in the historic Glen Echo Park. For more information about Adventure Theatre MTC or Huckleberry Finn's Big River, call 301-634-2270 or visit www.adventuretheatre-mtc.org.