Tennessee Rep Presents BIG RIVER 3/20-4/10

Tennessee Repertory Theatre will present Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn with music and lyrics by Nashville legend Roger Miller. Like Tennessee Rep, Big River-winner of seven Tony Awards--celebrates its 25th anniversary this season. Big River runs March 20 - April 10 at TPAC's Johnson Theater.

Mark 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 favorite characters from the novel. Propelled by an award-winning score from Roger Miller, the king of country music, this jaunty journey examines friendship at its deepest and provides a brilliantly theatrical celebration of pure Americana.

"When we did Sweeney Todd in the fall of 2009, we got such artistic satisfaction in accomplishing that show in our own way-utilizing our space in an exciting way, making it compelling and resonant with the great talent we have for musicals," says Tennessee Rep Producing Artistic Director René D. Copeland. "Naturally, I was open to the idea of finding another musical that would lend itself to our ‘stamp.' Big River came up as an idea both because it was such a popular show from Tennessee Rep's history, and because I was looking for a way for us to participate with the Nashville Public Library's ‘Twain and Twang" celebration of Mark Twain. This show satisfied both and is one that our wonderful designer Gary Hoff and I thought could be another exciting project for us to mount in the Johnson Theater and make it uniquely our own.

"This show celebrates our history while giving us an opportunity to bring a wonderful American musical to life in a fresh way. And the music, by Nashville's Roger Miller, is as beautiful as any you'll ever hear. The melodies will send you humming out of the theatre."

Patrick Waller-recently voted Best Actor in Nashville Scene's "Best of Nashville" issue-stars as Huckleberry Finn. Waller also starred in the title role in Nashville Children's Theatre's production of Tom Sawyer this past fall.

When asked about having played the role of Tom Sawyer and having the chance to follow it up by playing the role of Huckleberry Finn, Waller says, "I was that kid. Times have changed, but that country, barefoot, salt-of-the earth feeling is still around and was definitely around when I was growing up.

"I worked a lot as a kid but it helped make me the person I am today. There wasn't a lot of time for play, but when we played, we played hard. Refrigerator boxes, 50 gallon drums that would fill up with water after it rained, trash bags full of water-these were the ‘toys' I remember most. I remember playing in the hay loft, building straw forts, and shooting off bottle rockets.

"I guess you could say the roles of Tom and Huck both take me back to my own childhood," he concludes.

In addition to Waller, Tennessee Rep's production features an all-star cast including Jeff Boyet, Rona Carter, Henry Haggard, Bakari King, Aleta Myles, Carrie Tillis, Larry Tobias, Peter Vann, Samuel Whited, and Bobby Wyckoff.

Since 1985, Tennessee Repertory Theatre has been a critically acclaimed regional theatre, creating the highest quality professional productions and by serving as a prime cultural, educational, and economic resource within the Nashville and Middle Tennessee communities. Tennessee Rep produces work that is designed, built, and rehearsed in Nashville by highly skilled actors, designers, directors, and technicians. A non-profit organization, Tennessee Rep is committed to consistently delivering thought-provoking theatre each year. For more information on the Tennessee Repertory Theatre, please visit www.tennesseerep.org.