Actors Co-op Presents BIG RIVER Sept. 21 Through Nov. 1, Opens Sept. 25

Actors Co-op will present BIG RIVER: THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLBERRY FINN September 21 Through November 1st. The production will open September 25.

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. Their adventures along the way are hilarious, suspenseful and heartwarming, bringing to life your favorite characters from the novel-the Widow Douglas and her stern sister, Miss Watson; the uproarious King and Duke, who may or may not be as harmless as they seem; Huck's partner in crime, Tom Sawyer, and their rowdy gang of pals; Huck's drunken father, the sinister Pap Finn; the lovely Mary Jane Wilkes and her trusting family. Propelled by an award winning score from Roger Miller, the king of country music, this jaunty journey provides a brilliantly theatrical celebration of pure Americana.

The production is directed by Richard Israel, choreographed by Julie Hall and musical directed by Linda Kerns. The show features costume design by Vicki Conrad Dlugolecki, set design by Stephen Gifford, lighting design by Lisa D. Katz and sound design by Rebecca Kessin.

The cast includes Desean Anderson, Bryce Blue, Curt Bonnem, Brian Byers, James Fowler, Bruce Green, Pamela Hamill, Anna Hulsey, Joshua Kuehl, Miles Jeffries, Sean Hankinson, Kellen Law, Rory Patterson, Liz Randall, Stephen Reynolds, Tracy Ray Reynolds, Cari Satre, Kyle Shepard and Landen Starkman.

BIG RIVER will perform Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm. Sundays at 2:30pm. Preview performance Thursday, September 24 at 8pm. MUSE performance Saturday, October 3 at 2:30pm. Additional Saturday matinees October 10 and October 31 at 2:30pm. No Saturday evening performance on October 31.

Regular tickets are priced at $34. Seniors (60 & over) are $30, Students w/ ID are $25. Group rates are available (min. 6 people).

For more information, call 323-462-8460 or visit www.actorsco-op.org.

In its 18th season of illuminating theatre, Actors Co-op operates two 99-seat Equity-approved theatres on the campus of Hollywood Presbyterian Church. Actors Co-op was recently honored with eight LA Weekly nominations and one Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Nomination for the 2008 productions of 1776 and CRIME AND PUNISHMENT. Actors Co-op began on January 8th, 1987, with a dozen actors. Currently, its membership includes nearly 50 professionals. Since the Crossley Theatre opened its doors in April of 1989 and its second theatre, the Crossley Terrace Theatre opened February of 1995, Actors Co-op has produced over 60 main stage productions, over 26 Second Stage productions, staged readings of original works, and has received 125 Drama-Logue Awards, 27 LA Weekly Award nominations (four wins), 25 Ovation Award nominations, five Garland Awards and six Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards nominations (one win). In addition, Actors Co-op was honored with the 1996 Margaret Harford Award for "Sustained Achievement" in smaller theatre from the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle as well as the 1996 Charlie Award for "Excellence in the Arts" by the Hollywood Arts Council.

Actors Co-Op's 18th season opens in the fall of 2009 with BIG RIVER, directed by Richard Israel and continues with SHERLOCK'S LAST CASE, directed by Jeremy Lewit. THE FREDDY WYATT CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR opens in December, 2009 and is directed by Stephen Van Dorn. The season continues in February, 2010 with WIT, directed by Marianne Savell. Philip Barry's THE PHILADELPHIA STORY opens in April, 2010 and is directed by Douglas Clayton.