Virginia Rep's Children's Theatre Presents HUCK AND TOM AND THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI

Virginia Repertory Theatre announces the company of the second production of the 2018/19 Children's Season, Huck and Tom and the Mighty Mississippi, opening Friday, January 25, 2019, at The Children's Theatre at Willow Lawn. Based on the classic adventure novels by Mark Twain, follow our young heroes, Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer, in a footstompin' musical adventure down the Mississippi River.

Huck and Tom spring to life, along with other familiar residents and rapscallions of Hannibal, MO (including Jim, Becky Thatcher, and Aunt Polly), as they explore the majestic river that defined their lives, tested their souls, and carried their spirits into the heart of America.

The show will be the second show in the newly renovated space at Willow Lawn. Virginia Rep has added lights, new bathrooms, and fresh paint to make the theater even more family-friendly. Huck and Tom and the Mighty Mississippi will be onstage through March 3, 2019 at The Children's Theatre at Willow Lawn, 1601 Willow Lawn Drive, Richmond, Virginia 23230.

Virginia Rep Associate Artistic Director Kikau Alvaro will be directing this classic children's adventure story. Originally from San Jose, California, Alvaro joined Virginia Rep as Associate Artistic Director in September of 2017. He also serves as Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre at Virginia Commonwealth University. Previous Virginia Rep/Cadence Theatre credits include Associate Director of In The Heights and Choreographer of Fun Home.

Jason Marks will join the team as Music Director, after most recently musical directing Virginia Rep's holiday production of Mr. Popper's Penguins and summer production of Knuffle Bunny. Other Virginia Rep musical directing credits include The Little Engine That Could, a musical commissioned by Virginia Rep that he co-wrote with Scott Wichmann, Disney's Beauty and the Beast and Croaker the Musical, for which he also wrote the music.

A cast of six Virginia Rep newcomers has been assembled to portray the residents and rapscallions of Hannibal, MO. Joel White and James Hendley join the cast as Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer. Alvan Bolling II will be portraying Jim, and Rachel Jones, Caitlin Sneed and Cooper Sved round out the ensemble.

Set Design is by David Tousley in his Virginia Rep debut, Costume Design is by Virginia Rep's Assistant Director of Costumes Sarah Grady, who recently designed costumes for Virginia Rep's holiday production of Sister Act and summer production of West Side Story (RTCC Winner for Best Costume Design). Lighting Design is by Skyler Broughman (Songs from the Soul, The Little Engine That Could) and Sound Design is by Virginia Rep A/V Apprentice Corbin White.

The full company is listed below.

Direction by Kikau Alvaro, Music Direction by Jason Marks, Associate Direction by Cooper Sved, Set Design by David Tousley, Lighting Design by Skyler Broughman, Costume Design by Sarah Grady, Sound Design by Corbin White, Stage Management by Justin Janke.

The cast includes Joel White as Huck, James Hendley as Tom, Alvan Bolling II as Jim, Caitlin Sneed as Aunt Polly, Rachel Jones as Becky and Cooper Sved as the Swing.

Sensory Friendly Performances

A Sensory Friendly family performance will be offered on Saturday, February 16 at 10:30 a.m. Please see the website for more details: http://va-rep.org/sensory_friendly.html

Audio Described Performances

In collaboration with Virginia Voice, Virginia Rep is pleased to offer Audio Described performances, in which actions, expressions and gestures are described during gaps between dialogue throughout the performance for patrons with low vision or blindness. In addition to live audio description during performances, patrons are also invited to participate in a tactile tour before the performance. An Audio Described performance will be offered on Sunday,

February 3, 2019 at 2 p.m. Please see the website for more details: https://va-rep.org/access_for_the_blind.html

Community Tickets Grant

Virginia Rep is thrilled to offer a free Community Tickets Grant for nonprofit organizations. We encourage all organizations who have a demonstrated need for complimentary tickets to fill out a short application on our website: bit.ly/CommunityTix

Ticket Information

Box Office: 804-282-2620

www.virginiarep.org

Full Price Tickets: $21

Discounted Group Rates available.