Big River 1985 - Articles Page 18

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 18

Open Fist Theatre's FIRST LOOK FESTIVAL OF NEW PLAYS Runs Through 9/13
by Gabrielle Sierra - Aug 7, 2009


The Open Fist Theatre Company presents their First Ever, FIRST LOOK FESTIVAL OF NEW PLAYS, with new works written by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, Steven Haworth, Karen Hartman, Julie Hebert, Neil LaBute, Rick Pagano and directed by Bjorn Johnson, Neil LaBute, Marya Mazor, Charles Otte and Randee Trabitz. The Festival began on Thursday, July 23 and runs through Sunday, September 13 at The NEW Open Fist Theatre, 6209 Santa Monica Blvd. (former home of The Actor's Gang) in Hollywood.

Tennessee Rep Announces Casts for 2009-2010 Season
by Gabrielle Sierra - Aug 5, 2009


Tennessee Repertory Theatre will celebrate its 25th season of live, critically acclaimed theatre by welcoming a mix of familiar favorites and new faces.

La Jolla Playhouse Presents HERRINGBONE With BD Wong 8/1-30 In Sheila & Hughes Potiker Theatre
by BWW News Desk - Aug 1, 2009


La Jolla Playhouse is pleased to present Herringbone, book by Tom Cone, music by Skip Kennon, lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh, directed by Roger Rees (La Jolla Playhouse's Peter and the Starcatchers), and starring Tony Award-winner BD Wong (M. Butterfly; Law & Order: SVU). Herringbone runs August 1 - 30 in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre (press opening: Friday, August 7 at 8:00 pm).

Tennessee Rep Launches 25th Anniversary Season with 'Nashville Scenes' 7/29
by Jeffrey Ellis - Jul 29, 2009


Tennessee Repertory Theatre will launch its 25th anniversary celebration with Nashville Scenes on Wednesday, July 29, from 6 to 8 p.m.(CDT) at The Acorn restaurant, 114 28th Avenue North.

Open Fist Theatre Presents FIRST LOOK FESTIVAL OF NEW PLAYS, FERNANDO Opens 7/24, GOLIATH Opens 7/31
by BWW News Desk - Jul 24, 2009


The Open Fist Theatre Company presents their First Ever, FIRST LOOK FESTIVAL OF NEW PLAYS, with new works written by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, Steven Haworth, Karen Hartman, Julie Hebert, Neil LaBute, Rick Pagano and directed by Bjorn Johnson, Neil LaBute, Marya Mazor, Charles Otte and Randee Trabitz. The Festival will begin on Thursday, July 23 and run through Sunday, September 13 at The NEW Open Fist Theatre, 6209 Santa Monica Blvd. (former home of The Actor's Gang) in Hollywood.

Open Fist Theatre Presents FIRST LOOK FESTIVAL OF NEW PLAYS, FERNANDO Opens 7/24, GOLIATH Opens 7/31
by Gabrielle Sierra - Jul 20, 2009


The Open Fist Theatre Company presents their First Ever, FIRST LOOK FESTIVAL OF NEW PLAYS, with new works written by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, Steven Haworth, Karen Hartman, Julie Hebert, Neil LaBute, Rick Pagano and directed by Bjorn Johnson, Neil LaBute, Marya Mazor, Charles Otte and Randee Trabitz. The Festival will begin on Thursday, July 23 and run through Sunday, September 13 at The NEW Open Fist Theatre, 6209 Santa Monica Blvd. (former home of The Actor's Gang) in Hollywood.

Tennessee Rep Celebrates 25th Anniversary With Nashville Scenes
by Ali Leskowitz - Jul 15, 2009


Tennessee Repertory Theatre will partner with The Acorn restaurant and Nashville Scene for a special event to celebrate its 25th Anniversary. The evening-titled 'Nashville Scenes'-- will feature staged readings of scenes from Tennessee Rep's 2009-2010 season and hot hors d'oeuvres and will be held Wednesday, July 29 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at The Acorn (114 28th Avenue North).

Tennessee Rep Launches 25th Anniversary Season with 'Nashville Scenes' 7/29
by Jeffrey Ellis - Jul 15, 2009


Tennessee Repertory Theatre will launch its 25th anniversary celebration with Nashville Scenes on Wednesday, July 29, from 6 to 8 p.m.(CDT) at The Acorn restaurant, 114 28th Avenue North.

Musical Theater Heritage Presents BIG RIVER In Concert 8/13 Thru 8/30
by Ali Leskowitz - Jul 14, 2009


Musical Theater Heritage presents BIG RIVER: THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN in concert at the Off Center Theatre at Crown Center (3rd floor), August 13 through 30.

Sands, Osnes & Winningham to Star in BONNIE & CLYDE at La Jolla Playhouse in November
by Robert Diamond - Jul 13, 2009


La Jolla Playhouse announced today the addition of the world-premiere musical Bonnie & Clyde, to its 2009-10 season, replacing The Big Time. This production features music by Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel), lyrics by Tony Award-winner Don Black (Sunset Boulevard, Song and Dance), book by Ivan Menchell (The Cemetery Club, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), and direction by Jeff Calhoun (Deaf West's Big River and Pippin, Grease!). Bonnie & Clyde will run November 10 - December 20, 2009 in the Playhouse's Mandell Weiss Theatre.

La Jolla Playhouse Presents HERRINGBONE With BD Wong 8/1-30 In Sheila & Hughes Potiker Theatre
by Gabrielle Sierra - Jul 7, 2009


La Jolla Playhouse is pleased to present Herringbone, book by Tom Cone, music by Skip Kennon, lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh, directed by Roger Rees (La Jolla Playhouse's Peter and the Starcatchers), and starring Tony Award-winner BD Wong (M. Butterfly; Law & Order: SVU). Herringbone runs August 1 - 30 in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre (press opening: Friday, August 7 at 8:00 pm).

GYPSY OF THE MONTH: Brandi Wooten of '9 to 5: The Musical'
by Adrienne Onofri - Jul 3, 2009


In addition to 2 B'way shows, Brandi has chalked up several regional credits as a 'quirky character actress.'

Casting Announced for DREAMGIRLS National Tour; Opens at Apollo November 7
by Robert Diamond - Jun 25, 2009


Producer John Breglio and the Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc. announced casting today for the premiere engagement at the Apollo Theater, prior to the national tour of the groundbreaking musical. Dreamgirls will introduce Moya Angela as Effie White and feature, as The Dreams, Syesha Mercado as Deena Jones, Adrienne Warren as Lorrell Robinson, and Margaret Hoffman as Michelle Morris with Chaz Lamar Shepherd as Curtis Taylor, Jr., Chester Gregory is James 'Thunder' Early, Trevon Davis as C.C. White, Milton Craig Nealy as Marty Madison in a cast of 26 that also features Tallia Brinson, Felicia Boswell, Ronald Duncan, Talitha Farrow, Brittney Griffin, James Harkness, Robert Hartwell, Eric Jackson, Chauncey Jenkins, Jared Joseph, Nikki Kimbrough, Brittany Lewis, Douglas Lyons, Kimberly Marable, Jarran Muse, Amaker Smith and Marc Spaulding.

Billy Crystal Brings His Tony Winning 700 SUNDAYS To Selected Cities This Fall
by Eddie Varley - Jun 24, 2009


It was announced today that Billy Crystal will bring 700 SUNDAYS, his Tony Award-winning Broadway blockbuster, to six cities for limited engagements this fall, launching at Washington, D.C.'s National Theatre September 8 - 17. The tour will also play Philadelphia, Dallas, Palm Beach, Miami and Atlanta. 700 SUNDAYS, a play performed and written by Mr. Crystal with additional content by Alan Zweibel is directed by two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff.

President Obama Officially Announces Rocco Landesman Nomination for NEA Head
by Robert Diamond - May 13, 2009


President Obama said, ?This impressive group of people will add valued voices to my administration as we work to tackle the many challenges our nation faces. I am grateful for their decision to serve, and I am confident they will work hard as we put our country on a path towards prosperity and security.?

Producer Rocco Landesman Nominated As Next NEA Chairman
by Eddie Varley - May 12, 2009


The New York Times is reporting that theatrical producer and race-track aficionado, Rocco Landesman, who brought hits like 'Big River,' 'Angels in America' and 'The Producers' to Broadway, has been nominated as the next chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Abraham, Abeles Cast In Ethan Coen's OFFICES Previewing 4/15
by BWW News Desk - Apr 15, 2009


Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director) is proud to announce casting and dates for the world premiere production of Academy Award® winning film maker Ethan Coen's OFFICES, directed by Neil Pepe (Speed-the-Plow).

The Atlantic Presents World Premiere of Cohen's 'OFFICES', Abraham Featured, Pepe to Direct
by BWW News Desk - Apr 15, 2009


Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director) is proud to announce casting and dates for the world premiere production of Academy Award winning film maker Ethan Coen's OFFICES, directed by Neil Pepe (Speed-the-Plow).

Abraham, Abeles Cast In Ethan Coen's OFFICES Previewing 4/15
by Gabrielle Sierra - Mar 26, 2009


Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director) is proud to announce casting and dates for the world premiere production of Academy Award® winning film maker Ethan Coen's OFFICES, directed by Neil Pepe (Speed-the-Plow).

The Atlantic Presents World Premiere of Cohen's 'OFFICES', Abraham Featured, Pepe to Direct
by Eddie Varley - Mar 24, 2009


Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director) is proud to announce casting and dates for the world premiere production of Academy Award winning film maker Ethan Coen's OFFICES, directed by Neil Pepe (Speed-the-Plow).

'GODOT' Star Goodman Chats with Adams in NY POST
by Eddie Varley - Mar 19, 2009


The New York Post's Cindy Adams spoke with actor John Goodman, Goodman opens at Studio 54 next month in 'Waiting for Godot.'

Motion Picture Academy to Honor Jerry Lewis with Humanitarian Award
by BWW News Desk - Feb 22, 2009


The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced today that their board of governors have voted to give Jerry Lewis the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. Lewis is to be presented with the special Oscar statuette on February 22, 2009 during the 81st Annual Academy Awards.

Rick Elice's PETER AND THE STARCATCHERS Opens At La Jolla
by BWW News Desk - Feb 13, 2009


La Jolla Playhouse welcomes back Rick Elice, co-writer of the Tony Award-winning Jersey Boys, as the playwright of Peter and the Starcatchers. Alex Timbers and Roger Rees are set to direct with choreography by Kelly Devine and music by Wayne Barker. Peter and the Starcatchers will be playing at the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre at La Jolla Playhouse February 13 -March 8, 2009. Based on the best-selling novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, Peter and the Starcatchers dares to tell the real story of precisely how a desperate orphan in Victorian England became The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up. It's a tale that travels halfway round the world and straight up to the stars. It's a comedy that takes aim at social injustice. It's a romance of young heroes who risk everything for the sake of doing right. It's an expos? of extravagant villains possessed of a single-minded ferocity from which no good shall ever spring. In short, it's an awfully big adventure. La Jolla Playhouse will present Peter and the Starcatchers, a new play, as a part of its Page To Stage program, by special arrangement with Disney Theatrical Productions. Adam Green has been cast in the role of Peter. He has appeared in Off-Broadway productions such as Election Day, All This Intimacy and None of the Above. Molly will be played by Celia Keenan-Bolger who most recently appeared on Broadway in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, for which she earned a Tony Award nomination. She also appeared in Saved. Lost boy Prentiss will be played by Carson Elrod, who appeared in the La Jolla Playhouse production of Our Town. Elrod has also appeared on Broadway in Reckless and Noises Off. David Rossmer is cast as the ever - peckish lost boy Teddy. His Broadway credits include Fiddler on the Roof and Titanic. Christian Borle, who will be playing the ravenous Black Stache, received acclaim for his roles in Spamalot. He also received a 2007 Tony Award nomination for his role in the Broadway production of Legally Blonde. Andrew McGinn is set to play Slank. His New York credits include Coast of Utopia and The Invention of Love. Playing Lord Aster is John G. Preston, who recently appeared as Cameron Parker in the Off-Broadway production of Taboos. Greg Hildreth, playing the good hearted Alf, recently appeared in Dance Dance Revolution and Gentlemen of Verona. Teddy Bergman will be playing Fighting Prawn. His New York theater credits include Dance Dance Revolution and Nobody Likes the Mormons.

Rick Elice's PETER AND THE STARCATCHERS Opens At La Jolla
by Gabrielle Sierra - Jan 23, 2009


La Jolla Playhouse welcomes back Rick Elice, co-writer of the Tony Award-winning Jersey Boys, as the playwright of Peter and the Starcatchers. Alex Timbers and Roger Rees are set to direct with choreography by Kelly Devine and music by Wayne Barker. Peter and the Starcatchers will be playing at the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre at La Jolla Playhouse February 13 -March 8, 2009. Based on the best-selling novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, Peter and the Starcatchers dares to tell the real story of precisely how a desperate orphan in Victorian England became The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up. It's a tale that travels halfway round the world and straight up to the stars. It's a comedy that takes aim at social injustice. It's a romance of young heroes who risk everything for the sake of doing right. It's an expos? of extravagant villains possessed of a single-minded ferocity from which no good shall ever spring. In short, it's an awfully big adventure. La Jolla Playhouse will present Peter and the Starcatchers, a new play, as a part of its Page To Stage program, by special arrangement with Disney Theatrical Productions. Adam Green has been cast in the role of Peter. He has appeared in Off-Broadway productions such as Election Day, All This Intimacy and None of the Above. Molly will be played by Celia Keenan-Bolger who most recently appeared on Broadway in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, for which she earned a Tony Award nomination. She also appeared in Saved. Lost boy Prentiss will be played by Carson Elrod, who appeared in the La Jolla Playhouse production of Our Town. Elrod has also appeared on Broadway in Reckless and Noises Off. David Rossmer is cast as the ever - peckish lost boy Teddy. His Broadway credits include Fiddler on the Roof and Titanic. Christian Borle, who will be playing the ravenous Black Stache, received acclaim for his roles in Spamalot. He also received a 2007 Tony Award nomination for his role in the Broadway production of Legally Blonde. Andrew McGinn is set to play Slank. His New York credits include Coast of Utopia and The Invention of Love. Playing Lord Aster is John G. Preston, who recently appeared as Cameron Parker in the Off-Broadway production of Taboos. Greg Hildreth, playing the good hearted Alf, recently appeared in Dance Dance Revolution and Gentlemen of Verona. Teddy Bergman will be playing Fighting Prawn. His New York theater credits include Dance Dance Revolution and Nobody Likes the Mormons.

Tickets for McAnuff Led Stratford Fest. Featuring, 'Cyrano', Sorkin, WEST SIDE STORY & More On Sale
by Eddie Varley - Jan 10, 2009


The Stratford Shakespeare Festival 2009 season ? a playbill reflecting the Festival's commitment to producing the works of William Shakespeare and his contemporaries, along with other classical theatre repertoire and the work of living playwrights is now offering tickets to the public.

Big River FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of Big River have there been?
Big River has had 8 productions including Broadway which opened in 1985, Broadway which opened in 1985, US Tour which opened in 1986, US Tour which opened in 1987, Milburn, NJ (Regional) which opened in 1997, Broadway which opened in 2003, Broadway which opened in 2003 and US Tour which opened in 2004.
What Tony Awards has Big River been nominated for?
Big River has been nominated for several Tony Awards. These include nominations for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Costume Design for Patricia McGourty, Best Direction of a Musical for Des McAnuff, Best Lighting Design for Richard Riddell, and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Roger Miller.
What Tony Awards has Big River won?
Big River has won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical for Big River, Best Costume Design for Patricia McGourty, Best Direction of a Musical for Des McAnuff, Best Lighting Design for Richard Riddell, and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Roger Miller.
What awards has Big River been nominated for?
Big River has been nominated for several awards. These include Outstanding Costume Design, Outstanding Lighting Design, Outstanding Lyrics, Outstanding Music, Outstanding Orchestrations, Outstanding Set Design, Costume Design, Lighting Design, and Scenic Design. Patricia McGourty was nominated for Outstanding Costume Design at the Drama Desk Awards, as well as for Costume Design at The Hewes Awards. Richard Riddell received a nomination for Outstanding Lighting Design at the Drama Desk Awards, as well as for Lighting Design at The Hewes Awards. Roger Miller was nominated for Outstanding Lyrics and Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards. Steven Margoshes and Danny Troob were both nominated for Outstanding Orchestrations at the Drama Desk Awards. Heidi Landesman-Ettinger received nominations for Outstanding Set Design at the Drama Desk Awards and Scenic Design at The Hewes Awards.
What awards has Big River won?
Big River has won several awards for its outstanding achievements in various categories. These include the following: - Outstanding Costume Design at the Drama Desk Awards for Patricia McGourty - Outstanding Lighting Design at the Drama Desk Awards for Richard Riddell - Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards for Roger Miller - Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards for Roger Miller - Outstanding Orchestrations at the Drama Desk Awards for Steven Margoshes - Outstanding Orchestrations at the Drama Desk Awards for Danny Troob - Outstanding Set Design at the Drama Desk Awards for Heidi Landesman - Costume Design at The Hewes Awards for Patricia McGourty - Lighting Design at The Hewes Awards for Richard Riddell - Scenic Design at The Hewes Awards for Heidi Landesman-Ettinger These awards highlight the exceptional talent and creativity showcased in Big River.

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