Announcing The Young Stars Of Huckleberry Finn's BIG RIVER, An ATMTC Professional Production

Adventure Theatre MTC (ATMTC), after an extensive search for the most talented young actors in 5 counties across Washington, DC, announces the diverse cast of Huckleberry Finn's Big River. Huckleberry Finn's Big River is a revised version of the Tony Award winning musical Big River. With the support of over 100 consensus organizers (individuals and organizations serving the black community), this version, revised by the original Tony-Award Winning playwright William Hauptman, removes offensive language and expands the role of Jim, now the same age as Huckleberry, while capitalizing on the original music and lyrics by Roger Miller, winner of 11 Grammy Awards.

As Jim, teenagers Zach Rakotomaniraka and Nathan Butts will share the role. Zach is a current student of Washington Ballet, and Nathan is an active member of his community and school. As Huckleberry Finn, Jonah Schwartz and Max Gerecht will share the role. Jonah and Max are both Pre-Professional Company Members at ATMTC Academy. Additional youth cast includes Madisyn Brown and Alexa Givens as Alice, and Anna Maria Shockey and Ella Coulson as Mary Jane. Both Alexa and Ella are Pre-Professional Company Member with ATMTC Academy, Madisyn is a long-time performer in her community, and Anna Maria Shockey is a current student with NM Productions in Springfield, VA.

Adventure Theatre MTC conducted a DC-Area Wide search for talent in October of 2018 to find the student cast to fit these challenging lead roles. In partnership with Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Next Stop Theatre, Frederick Community College, Six Flags, Fairfax County Public Schools, and Montgomery County Public Schools, Adventure Theatre MTC scoured the area for gifted young performers able to handle the rigor of a professional production.

Michael Baron, Director of Huckleberry Finn's Big River says, "This cast is incredible. We are so lucky to have this level of talent and energy in such a groundbreaking production. I'm especially impressed by our young stars. It look a long time to find the right teens to bring these characters to life, but I know families and regular theatre goers will be blown away by their abilities."

Adventure Theatre MTC seeks to celebrate courage, to encourage social change and social justice, and to engage generations about our current nation's social climate through this revision. African-American consensus organizers from all over Washington, DC contributed input, content, and financial support for Huckleberry Finn's Big River in all areas including the set, costumes, script, marketing materials, and educational materials.

This revision of Broadway's Tony-Winning Musical will lift young audiences' spirits. The small-cast hour-long version of Mark Twain's polarizing novel removes offensive language and expands the role of Jim, now the same age as Huck. Twain's classic sweeps us down the mighty Mississippi as the irrepressible Huck Finn helps his friend Jim, an enslaved teen, escape to freedom. This tale of friendship against all odds is recreated for young audiences as two best friends demonstrate the power children have to change the world.

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 11am. 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 click here.

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