Big River 1985 - Articles Page 3

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 3

BWW Exclusive: THE 101 GREATEST PROTEST SONGS OF ALL TIME - with Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, John Lennon, Kendrick Lamar & More
by Peter Nason - Jun 18, 2020


BWW Reviewer Peter Nason chooses the 101 greatest protest songs from 1939-2020. See if your favorite songs or artists made the list!

HBO Max Announces the Titles Coming to the Streamer in June, Including PERRY MASON, SEARCH PARTY, & More
by Kaitlin Milligan - May 22, 2020


HBO Max launches May 27th, but that's just the beginning of what this exciting new streaming bundle has to offer. The month of June brings hundreds of sizzling hot movies and series to keep everyone in the family entertained all month long.

BWW Exclusive: The 101 Greatest MOVIE MUSICALS of All Time
by Peter Nason - Mar 30, 2020


BWW Reviewer Peter Nason chooses the best film musicals since the sound era began; see if your favorites made the list!

The 101 Greatest Showtunes from 1920-2020
by Peter Nason - Mar 19, 2020


How do we make a list of the 101 greatest show tunes from the past 100 years? Well, we did the near-impossible task.  Check out our full list here! 

Hear Your Favorite Film Music at Grand Rapids Symphony's HOLLYWOOD HITS
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 10, 2020


Stop and think about one of favorite movies - the story, characters, the settings. It won't be long before you start humming a few bars from the musical score.

SF Sketchfest Announces Lineup for the 19th Annual San Francisco Comedy Festival
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 22, 2019


SF Sketchfest announces the initial line up for the 19th annual San Francisco Comedy Festival taking place January 9-26, 2020, featuring top comedic talent performing in venues across the city. SF Sketchfest offers fans the rare opportunity to see their favorite performers in intimate live performances, discussions and immersive comedy experiences.

BWW Review: BIG RIVER at Rubicon Theatre Company
by Cary Ginell - Nov 1, 2019


An innovative immersive production, in which orchestra musicians step on stage to perform with the cast and an in-the-round configuration, highlights Rubicon Theatre Company's evocative, atmospheric production of 'Big River.' With a score by country music's Roger Miller, 'Big River' won 7 Tonys in 1985. The cast features Broadway veterans Josey Montana McCoy, David Aron Damane, and, in a special appearance, Renn Woods as Alice.

OUT FRIDAY: Nature of Wires 'Modus' LP & River Drivers' 2-Track Single
by Sarah Jae Leiber - Aug 15, 2019


British synthpop stalwarts Nature of Wires present their new double album 'Modus', out on August 16 via Manchester's Analogue Trash label. Comprising 18 tracks, this is 80s-influenced synthpop with a dark edge. The album had its genesis in the late 80s and early 90s, when the band were in the middle of a creative hot streak.

Tickets on Sale July 11 For HK Phil's A DREAM LIKE A DREAM
by Stephi Wild - Jul 10, 2019


"In a story, someone had a dream. In that Dream, someone told a story." A Dream Like a Dream is one of the most celebrated Chinese theatrical masterworks of the 21st century. It was conceived and created by Stan Lai, who recently became the first Chinese theatre professional inducted into the Sibiu Walk of Fame at the Sibiu International Theatre Festival, Romania's pre-eminent performing arts event. In 2002, the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre was the first professional company to mount A Dream Like a Dream, winning Best Overall Performance, Best Costume Design and Best Supporting Actor (TragedyDrama) at the 12th Hong Kong Drama Awards. After a hiatus of 17 years, the HKRep produces this work anew, co-directed by Stan Lai and HKRep Assistant Artistic Director Fung Wai Hang, with special guests Louisa So, three-time Hong Kong Drama Award Best Actor Poon Chan Leung and ViuTV series star Cecilia Choi from My Very Short Marriage leading a 30-member cast of HKRep company members and other outstanding local actors. The production runs from July 28th to September 8th at The Box, Freespace, Art Park, West Kowloon Cultural District. On July 11th, a limited number of tickets will be available for sale for the preview performance (July 27th) and the production run from URBTIX outlets and the West Kowloon Cultural District.

Free Entertainment Returns To The Marcus Center's Peck Pavilion
by Stephi Wild - Jun 12, 2019


Live @ Peck Pavilion returns to the Marcus Performing Arts Center grounds this summer. The season will run from June 26 through September 5 with each day of the series featuring a different program focus. Optimist Theatre: Shakespeare in the Park returns to Peck Pavilion from June 26-July 13 with their presentation of The Comedy of Errors. Community Partners, Milwaukee Ballet's Ballet Beat, True Skool Block Party and Milwaukee Fringe Festival, also return this summer. All events in Peck Pavilion are free and open to the public.

BWW Interview: Jennifer Leigh Warren Talks About Her Success, Famous Puppets, and What Makes Broadway At Music Circus So Special
by Courtney Symes - Jun 9, 2019


Summer can officially begin in Sacramento! Broadway at Music Circus kicks off its new season on June 11 with Shrek the Musical. Shrek brings something for the entire family to enjoy and is the perfect accompaniment to PRIDE month with its message of inclusion. As one of the Fairytale Creatures says, 'It's time to stop the hiding. It's time to stand up tall.' Jennifer Leigh Warren, who plays Dragon, wholeheartedly agrees. She was last seen in multiple roles on television in 'Rent Live!' in January. She spoke to Broadway World Sacramento about the importance of the show, her role as a lonely puppet, and her impressive career.

Who Will Win at the 2019 Tony Awards? We Compare Year By Year!
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 7, 2019


The 72nd Annual Tony Awards are this Sunday June 10th at 8/9c hosted by Josh Groban and Sara Bareilles. 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...

Counting Off the Tony Awards Already Won by the 2019 Nominees!
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 8, 2019


The 2019 Tony nominees are already winners... literally. For some, this marks their first nomination, but others have already won Tony Awards in seasons past. We took a look at which nominees have won at least a Tony or two (or nine) - amongst them, they've gathered a total of 69 awards!

WATCH NOW! Zooming in on the Tony Nominees: Des McAnuff
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 2, 2019


Des McAnuff is the caption of the ship at the Imperial Theatre, where Ain't Too Proud currently plays. He's telling us why he's so happy that the show got so much Tonys love!

BWW Review: BIG RIVER Delights at PALM CANYON THEATRE
by Stan Jenson - May 13, 2019


Palm Canyon Theatre is taking an exuberant romp on the Mississippi in their current musical, Big River. The 1985 Broadway hit, with songs by Roger ("King of the Road") Miller, is a stage adaptation of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In the capable hands of director Se Layne, it shows energy, style, and a fair bit of heart.

BIG RIVER: THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN Comes To Milwaukee's First Stage
by BWW News Desk - Mar 15, 2019


Adapted for family audiences from the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, BIG RIVER: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn tells the story of Huck and his friend Jim, a slave, as they travel along the mighty Mississippi River. Huck tries to help Jim escape to freedom and reunite with his family.

BIG RIVER: THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN Comes To Milwaukee's First Stage
by Julie Musbach - Mar 1, 2019


Adapted for family audiences from the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, BIG RIVER: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn tells the story of Huck and his friend Jim, a slave, as they travel along the mighty Mississippi River. Huck tries to help Jim escape to freedom and reunite with his family.

BWW Review: HUCKLEBERRY FINN'S BIG RIVER at Adventure Theatre
by Elliot Lanes - Feb 15, 2019


The 1985 Broadway season might have been one of the weakest on record for musicals; in fact, only three shows were nominated for Best Musical at the Tony Awards that year. We had an Ellie Greenwich jukebox musical (Leader of the Pack), one of Harold Prince's big budget disasters (Grind), and a musical based on Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Big River). Needless to say, at least in my opinion, Big River won the Tony Award for Best Musical and several other awards in part due to a lack of competition. Despite some catchy songs by Roger “King of the Road” Miller the show suffered, in my opinion anyhow, from there simply being too much of it. William Hauptman's book tried to focus on multiple stories as opposed to having Huck and his relationship with runaway slave Jim be the true heart.

Paper Mill Playhouse Hosts The Pushcart Players
by Julie Musbach - Feb 8, 2019


Paper Mill Playhouse presents Pushcart Players in "Stone Soup and other Stories" on Wednesday, February 27th at 10:00am. Pushcart is the Emmy-nominated educational theater for families, now in its 45th year of bringing something special to every young audience.

BWW Review: KING HEDLEY II by August Wilson at Two River Theater is a Powerful and Emotive Drama
by Marina Kennedy - Nov 21, 2018


Two River Theater (TRT) is now presenting a stunning production of August Wilson's drama, King Hedley II through December 16. The show is expertly directed by the renowned actor and director, Brandon J. Dirden and features a cast that is ideal in their roles.

EVITA Star to Headline Good Theater Broadway Concerts
by Stephi Wild - Nov 19, 2018


Valerie Perri, who created the role of Eva Peron in the national tour of Evita will be the guest star for Good Theater's annual Broadway at Good Theater concerts December 5-9. Perri won the L.A. Drama Critics Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in the classic Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice musical. She also performed the role at Maine State Music Theatre in 1985.

Northern Sky Theater's Home For The Holidays 2018 Announced
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 7, 2018


Door County's award-winning Northern Sky Theater has announced the line-up for its annual holiday concert at the Old Gibraltar Town Hall. Home for the Holidays will offer the opportunity to reunite with Northern Sky favorite Jeff Herbst and his friends Ryan Cappleman and Tom Donoghue for an uplifting evening of intimate seasonal songs and delightful holiday humor.    

Greenway Arts Alliance Announces Casting For THE COLOR PURPLE
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 4, 2018


Greenway Arts Alliance (Whitney Weston and Pierson Blaetz, Co-Founders and Co-Artistic Directors) announced the cast and creative team for the THE COLOR PURPLE, which will play at the Greenway Court Theatre (544 N. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles). Performances run from November 9 through December 9 with the official press opening on Saturday, November 10. The Tony Award-winning musical features a book by Marsha Norman and music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. Directing and choreographing the cast of 15 is NAACP Theater Award-winner Jeffrey Polk (Smokey Joe's Cafe).

Caissie Levy, Will Roland, and More Among Initial Casting for Festival of New Musicals
by Julie Musbach - Sep 27, 2018


National Alliance for Musical Theatre has announced initial casting for the 30th Annual FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS, which takes place on Thursday, October 25 and Friday, October 26, 2018 at New World Stages

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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