Big River - 1985 - Broadway Articles Page 5

When the lights come up for the The Wedding Singer musical at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre, the familiar face of actress Alyssa Dumas will absent. Instead, she will be playing a new role behind the scenes as the director, crafting her vision for the 1980's-themed romantic comedy.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 (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).

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

Today, we're remembering some of Marin's greatest performances. Re-live her performances of these iconic songs in the videos below.

National Alliance for Musical Theatre announces the line-up of directors for their 30th Annual FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS, which takes place on Thursday, October 25 and Friday, October 26, 2018 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). The Festival events will kick off on Monday, October 22 with Thank You, 30!, a gala event to celebrate the 30th Annual Festival.

The Tony Award-winning musical 'Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' continues this weekend at The Sauk in Jonesville. 

Peninsula Players Theatre, America's Oldest Professional Resident Summer Theatre, presents the regional premiere of "Living on Love," a new romantic comedy by two-time Tony Award-winner Joe DiPietro, based on the play "Peccadillo" by Garson Kanin.  The delightful "Living on Love" opens at Door County's theatrical icon on Today, August 25 and performs through September 2 and is a glamorous, hilarious romp through the world of music, marriage, celebrity and love!

The Tony Award-winning BIG RIVER: THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN comes to The Sauk, in Jonesville, for eight performances, August 9-19.

Peninsula Players Theatre, America's Oldest Professional Resident Summer Theatre, presents the regional premiere of "Living on Love," a new romantic comedy by two-time Tony Award-winner Joe DiPietro, based on the play "Peccadillo" by Garson Kanin.  The delightful "Living on Love" opens at Door County's theatrical icon on Wednesday, August 25 and performs through September 2 and is a glamorous, hilarious romp through the world of music, marriage, celebrity and love!

The Tony Award-winning BIG RIVER: THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN comes to The Sauk, in Jonesville, for eight performances, August 9-19. Though trying to stay 'respectable,' Huckleberry Finn runs into trouble when his father, Pap, returns to town. Huck is forced to fake his own death to escape and joins up with another on the run - Jim, a slave in the search for freedom. As they head down the river, they get sucked into scams involving two 'aristocrats,' one of which lands Jim in chains once again. Can Huck, with his best friend Tom Sawyer, join together to free him?

The Tony Award-winning BIG RIVER: THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN comes to The Sauk, in Jonesville, for eight performances, August 9-19. Though trying to stay 'respectable,' Huckleberry Finn runs into trouble when his father, Pap, returns to town. Huck is forced to fake his own death to escape and joins up with another on the run - Jim, a slave in the search for freedom. As they head down the river, they get sucked into scams involving two 'aristocrats,' one of which lands Jim in chains once again. Can Huck, with his best friend Tom Sawyer, join together to free him?

The Tabard Theatre today announces full casting for Meet the Teaspoons. From fabulous songs to lovable characters, this brand new play is a fun filled theatrical adventure the whole family can enjoy.

'Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,' the Tony Award-winning best musical comes to The Sauk, Hillsdale County's community theatre, with a cast of veterans and newcomers for eight performances, August 9-19.

Paramount Network Orders 68 WHISKEY Pilot Produced and Directed by Ron Howard

National Alliance for Musical Theatre (Betsy King Militello, Executive Director) is thrilled to announce the line-up of new musicals for their 30th Annual FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS, which takes place on Thursday, October 25 and Friday, October 26, 2018 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). The Festival events will kick off on Monday, October 22 with Thank You, 30!, a gala event to celebrate the 30th Annual Festival.

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...

"Country crooners, '80s hitmakers and man's best friend are among the headlining talent Poway OnStage have lined-up for their 2018/19 Professional Performance Series. This season we are delighted to welcome old friends and new talents to the Poway stage," says Poway OnStage President and CEO Michael Rennie.  "Returning Poway OnStage alum include perennial Poway favorites and equal opportunity offenders The Capitol Steps, guitar masters the Romeros; and celebrity talents from Dancing with the Stars and American Idol performing the all-new Motown with a Twist."