Big River 1985 - Articles Page 8

Opened: April 25, 1985
Closing: September 20, 1987

Big River - 1985 - Broadway History , Info & More

Eugene O'Neill Theatre (Broadway)
230 West 49th St. New York, NY

Based on the novel Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

The production is based on the 2003 Broadway staging by the Roundabout Theatre Company and the American Deaf West Theatre. Huckleberry Finn narrates the story of Huck, a young man who takes a long journey to accompany an escaped slave named Jim on his quest for freedom. In the process, Huck learns a great deal about himself and about the developing country around him.



The show blends American Sign Language (ASL) with traditional choreography and staging, affording a unique opportunity for deaf and hearing actors to work collaboratively and provide accessibility to a wider audience. In this adaptation, every line and lyric is simultaneously performed in spoken (or sung) English and ASL, and interwoven with music, dance, and storytelling techniques from both hearing and deaf cultures.

Big River - 1985 - Broadway Cast

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Big River - 1985 - Broadway Articles Page 8

Sharon Playhouse to Stage BIG RIVER, 7/21-31
by Tyler Peterson - Jul 6, 2016


Sharon Playhouse, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Simpkins and Managing Director Justin Ball, proudly presents the Tony Award-winning musical Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, with performances July 21 through July 31 at Sharon Playhouse (49 Amenia Road). Opening Night is Thursday, July 21 at 7:00pm.

Gordon Connell, BIG RIVER's Original Mark Twain, Dies at 93
by Michael Dale - Jun 24, 2016


A frequent performer on and off Broadway, Connell was married to actress Jane Connell.

BWW Reviews: BIG RIVER at Musical Theater Heritage
by Alan Portner - Jun 6, 2016


MTH's 'Big River' Soars

Who Will Win at the 2016 Tony Awards? We Compare Year By Year!
by BWW Special Coverage - Jun 10, 2016


The 70th Annual Tony Awards are this Sunday June 12th at 8/9c hosted by James Corden. It's the biggest award show of the Broadway season and it closes out a long awards season for Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals and plays. We can't help but wonder what chances this year's Best Musical and Best Play nominees have of taking home the ultimate prize.

Photo Flash: First Look at Musical Theater Heritage's BIG RIVER
by Tyler Peterson - Jun 2, 2016


MTH (your source for all things Musical Theater in Kansas City) will present 20 performances of BIG RIVER, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, winner of 7 Tony Awards in 1985 including Best Musical and Best Original Score by Roger Miller(King of the Road). This unjustly forgotten masterpiece stands as a dazzling, heartwarming slice of musical Americana and the final crowning achievement in one of country music's most celebrated careers. Miller's music is a perfect fit toMark Twain's classic American story of Huckleberry Finn, adapted for the musical byWilliam Hauptman.

BWW Review: Hale Centre Theatre's BIG RIVER is a Literal Rush
by Tyler Hinton - Jun 2, 2016


Hale Centre Theatre's production of BIG RIVER in West Valley is joyous and tender, with a literal rush of water that amazes. If you're a fan of Huck Finn's story and have never experienced this musical retelling, this BIG RIVER is worth taking a raft ride down.

Legacy to Release Deluxe 3CD/1DVD Box Set 'The Highwaymen Live - American Outlaws'
by BWW News Desk - May 20, 2016


Legacy is proud to announce the upcoming release of The Highwaymen Live - American Outlaws, a deluxe new 3CD/1DVD (or 3CD/1 Blu-ray) box set of concert performancesincluding a previously unreleased complete concert on CD and DVD (or Blu-ray)from country music's legendary first 'supergroup,' today, May 20.

Musical Theater Heritage to Present BIG RIVER
by Tyler Peterson - May 12, 2016


MTH (your source for all things Musical Theater in Kansas City) will present 20 performances of BIG RIVER, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, winner of 7 Tony Awards in 1985 including Best Musical and Best Original Score by Roger Miller (King of the Road). This unjustly forgotten masterpiece stands as a dazzling, heartwarming slice of musical Americana and the final crowning achievement in one of country music's most celebrated careers. Miller's music is a perfect fit to Mark Twain's classic American story of Huckleberry Finn, adapted for the musical by William Hauptman.

BIG RIVER, THE NEW YORKERS and THE GOLDEN APPLE Will Return to the Stage Next Year in Encores! Season
by Nicole Rosky - May 10, 2016


New York City Center's Tony-honored Encores! series, led by Artistic Director Jack Viertel and Music Director Rob Berman, begins its 24thseason with Roger Miller's 1985 retelling of Mark Twain's classic novel, Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; followed by Cole Porter's 1930 Prohibition romp The New Yorkers, and The Golden Apple, John Latouche and Jerome Moross' 1954 reinvention of the Greek epic poems The Iliad and The Odyssey into an all-American fable.

Wynonna & The Big Noise, Ladies of Laughter & More at NJPAC on Sale Friday
by Tyler Peterson - May 2, 2016


?New shows on sale this week at bergenPAC: Wynonna and The Big Noise with Special Guest Scott DeCarlo-Sunday, July 10, 2016 at 8PM; Ladies of Laughter Presents NJ's Funniest Females-Thursday, July 21, 2016 at 8PM; The Summit: The Manhattan Transfer Meets Take 6-Thursday, October 13, 2016 at 8PM. Tickets go on sale Friday, May 6, 2016 at 11AM at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling bergenPAC's Box Office at 201.227.1030.

Jennifer Ehle, Jefferson Mays and More to Lead Lincoln Center Theater's OSLO
by BWW News Desk - Apr 21, 2016


Lincoln Center Theater will welcome Michael Aronov, Adam Dannheisser, Jennifer Ehle, Daniel Jenkins, Dariush Kashani, Jefferson Mays, Daniel Oreskes, Henny Russell, Joseph Siravo, and T. Ryder Smith in the cast of its upcoming production of OSLO, a new play by J.T. Rogers, directed by Bartlett Sher.

Michael Buble, Jussie Smollett & More Will Headline Kennedy Center's Spring Gala
by Tyler Peterson - Apr 12, 2016


?In one of D.C.'s social events of the year, the Kennedy Center pays tribute to America's immortal Motown hit-maker, the late singer Marvin Gaye, at the 2016 Kennedy Center Spring Gala on Sunday, June 5, 2016 in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. The evening's program celebrates Gaye's enigmatic and innovative contributions to the Motown sound during the peak of his career in the 1970s and 1980s, and his musical influence that spans generations. Hosted by actress, comedian, and television host Whoopi Goldberg, the gala performance is headlined by multi-Grammy Award-winning artist Michael Buble, and features a talented, all-star cast including Andra Day, Ledisi, and Jussie Smollett, star of the FOX hit show, Empire.

The Trial Begins... Meet the Full Cast of THE CRUCIBLE, Opening Tonight on Broadway
by Meet the Cast - Mar 31, 2016


The Broadway revival of Arthur Miller's The Crucible, starring Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan, opens tonight, March 31, at the Walter Kerr Theatre, 219 West 48 Street. Scroll down to learn more about the full company!

Legacy to Release Deluxe 3CD/1DVD Box Set 'The Highwaymen Live - American Outlaws'
by Caryn Robbins - Mar 29, 2016


Legacy is proud to announce the upcoming release of The Highwaymen Live - American Outlaws, a deluxe new 3CD/1DVD (or 3CD/1 Blu-ray) box set of concert performancesincluding a previously unreleased complete concert on CD and DVD (or Blu-ray)from country music's legendary first 'supergroup,' on Friday, May 20.

Rubicon Theatre to Present WHO COULD ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE? Concert, 4/2-3
by Tyler Peterson - Mar 18, 2016


The Janet and Mark L. Goldenson Broadway Musical Concert Series at Rubicon Theatre Company continues in its second year with a weekend concert celebrating one of the most significant and popular American songwriting teams of all time, George and Ira Gershwin. WHO COULD ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE? will be presented for two nights only on Saturday, April 2 and Sunday, April 3.

BIG RIVER Opens at Queensbury Theatre
by Tyler Peterson - Mar 11, 2016


Big River, the Tony Award-winning musical based on Mark Twain's classic Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, opened at Queensbury Theatre on Thursday, March 10, 2016.

Sustainable Filmmaker Antonio Saillant Opposes Gov. Christie's Veto of Tax Breaks for Film Industry
by TV News Desk - Feb 1, 2016


?On January 11, 2016, Senate Bill 779, which proposed to re-establish the film production tax credit program, was vetoed by Governor Christie.

Randy Harrison and Andrea Goss to Lead CABARET at Segerstrom Center This Summer
by BWW News Desk - Jan 6, 2016


CABARET, the musical masterpiece, returns direct from Broadway!

En Garde Arts Kicks Off BOSSS Festival This Weekend
by BWW News Desk - Oct 23, 2015


En Garde Arts presents BOSSS, its new site-specific outdoor performance festival featuring new works by some of the New York City's most promising emerging theatre artists, this weekend, October 23-25 throughout Hudson River Park. The opening night party at The Frying Pan will now take place on October 23 at 7pm. (Tickets for the opening night party, on board the Frying Pan at Pier 66, are $250 or $75 for artists.)

En Garde Arts Moves BOSSS Festival to 10/23-25 Due to Tropical Storm Joachim
by BWW News Desk - Sep 30, 2015


Due to tropical storm Joachim, En Garde Arts has postponed BOSSS, its new site-specific outdoor performance festival featuring new works by some of the New York City's most promising emerging theatre artists, to October 23-25 throughout Hudson River Park. The opening night party at The Frying Pan will now take place on October 23 at 7pm.

En Garde Arts to Present BOSSS at Hudson River Park in October
by Tyler Peterson - Sep 15, 2015


This fall, En Garde Arts, the company founded and recently resurrected by pioneering theater producer Anne Hamburger, launches BOSSS (Big Outdoor Site-Specific Stuff), a new site-specific performance festival featuring new works by some of New York City's most promising emerging theatre artists. Hamburger has established BOSSS to give a rising generation of spirited artists a chance to 'think big' when creating new work, and to help them cultivate an audience spanning frequent theatergoers and people who rarely seek out live arts deliberately. Under her mentorship and guidance, teams of playwrights, directors, devisers, choreographers and designers are creating nine innovative works that En Garde will present throughout Hudson River Park, October 2 - 4. All performances are free of charge. (Tickets for the opening night gala, on board the Frying Pan at Pier 66, are $250 - $500.) Please see below for the lineup of artists and works.

Bill Camp, Jim Norton, Tavi Gevinson and More Join Broadway's THE CRUCIBLE; Full Cast, Theater Set!
by BWW News Desk - Sep 9, 2015


BroadwayWorld has just learned that Arthur Miller's THE CRUCIBLE will return to Broadway at the Walter Kerr Theatre (219 West 48th Street) this spring. Bill Camp (as Reverend John Hale), Jim Norton (as Giles Corey), Tavi Gevinson (as Mary Warren), and Jason Butler Harner (as Reverend Samuel Parris) are among those who will join previously announced stars Ben Whishaw (as John Proctor), Sophie Okonedo (as Elizabeth Proctor), Saoirse Ronan (as Abigail Williams), and Ciaran Hinds (as Deputy-Governor Danforth).

LAUGH IT UP, STARE IT DOWN Opens Tonight at Cherry Lane Theater
by BWW News Desk - Sep 9, 2015


LAUGH IT UP, STARE IT DOWN, a new play written by Alan Hruska (The Man on Her Mind, New House under Construction, Reunion), is directed by Chris Eigeman (known as a filmmaker for Turn The River and as an actor for roles in television's Gilmore Girls and the films Metropolitan, Barcelona, and The Last Days of Disco), and premieres at The Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce Street) tonight, September 9th, 2015.

Rita Rudner, 54 SINGS BACK TO THE FUTURE & More Set for 54 Below This Week
by Tyler Peterson - Aug 17, 2015


This week at 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visitwww.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

54 Below to Celebrate Film Scores with BACK TO THE FUTURE, Meryl Streep Tribute Concerts
by Tyler Peterson - Aug 14, 2015


In the coming weeks, 54 Below will celebrate some of our favorite movie scores and songs through live performances, performed by some of Broadway and cabaret's most luminary talents.

Other Productions of Big River

1985   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
1986   US Tour 1st National Tour
US Tour
1987   US Tour 2nd National Tour
US Tour
1997   Milburn, NJ (Regional) Paper Mill Production
Milburn, NJ (Regional)
2003   Broadway Roundabout Revival
Broadway
2004   US Tour National Tour
US Tour

Big River - 1985 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
1985 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Actor in a Musical Ron Richardson
1985 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Actor in a Musical Daniel H. Jenkins
1985 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Costume Design Patricia McGourty
1985 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Rene Auberjonois
1985 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical John Short
1985 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Bob Gunton
1985 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical John Goodman
1985 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Patti Cohenour
1985 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Lighting Design Richard Riddell
1985 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Lyrics Roger Miller
1985 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Music Roger Miller
1985 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Orchestrations Danny Troob
1985 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Orchestrations Steven Margoshes
1985 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Set Design Heidi Landesman
1985 The Hewes Awards Costume Design Patricia McGourty
1985 The Hewes Awards Lighting Design Richard Riddell
1985 The Hewes Awards Scenic Design Heidi Landesman-Ettinger
1985 Tony Awards Best Book of a Musical Big River
1985 Tony Awards Best Costume Design Patricia McGourty
1985 Tony Awards Best Direction of a Musical Des McAnuff
1985 Tony Awards Best Lighting Design Richard Riddell
1985 Tony Awards Best Musical Dodger Theatricals
1985 Tony Awards Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre Roger Miller
1985 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical Ron Richardson
1985 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical Daniel H. Jenkins
1985 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical Rene Auberjonois

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