Hayes Theatre Co Presents BIG RIVER

Neglected Musicals in association with Hayes Theatre Co will present BIG RIVER at Hayes Theatre Co from Wednesday 18 April for six presentations only. Directed by Ellen Simpson, this musical is based on Mark Twain's classic 1884 novel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the musical features music in the bluegrass and country styles in keeping with the setting of the novel. The 1985 Broadway production ran for more than 1,000 performances and it remained one of the few very successful American musicals in the mid-1980s. The Australian production starring Cameron Daddo as Huckleberry Finn, John English as Pap Finn, John Bell as The Duke and featuring Marcia Hines and Michael Edward Stevens opened in 1989 at Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney, going on to play Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, and Festival Theatre in Adelaide.

"We have assembled a fantastic cast for BIG RIVER," said producer Michelle Guthrie. "Having seen the production in Sydney with Cameron Daddo I have such great memories of the music, and it's so wonderful that Cameron will be playing PAP for these presentations.

Keegan Joyce will play HUCK, Keegan is best known for his appearances in Please Like Me and MTC's Vivid White. Madison McKoy who has just finished on stage at Hayes in The View Upstairs will play Jim. Fresh from her turn as Cynthia Weil in Beautiful, Amy Lehpamer will play Mary Jane. Cameron Daddo who was the original HUCK in the Australian production will play Huck's father PAP. Rodney Dobson who has just finish Dream Lover will play King, Aaron Tsindos who was a member of ABBA for Muriel's Wedding as Duke. With Zoe Goetz as The Widow Douglas, Octavia Barron-Martin as Miss Watson, Chidi Mbakwe as Alice, Chemon Theys as Alice's Daughter and Rob Johnson as Fool

"Big River is one of my favorite musicals," said Director Ellen Simpson. "I am so pleased to be able to direct a presentation of this much loved musical."

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 and Huck and Tom Sawyer join together to free him.

Established in 2010, Neglected Musicals presents musical theatre that has never or rarely been seen in Australia. Presented with scripts in hand, with piano accompaniment after only a day's rehearsal.

Previous Neglected Musicals presentations; NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY, GIRL CRAZY, SEE SAW, MY FAVORITE YEAR, SHE LOVES ME, NICK AND NORA, ON THE 20TH CENTURY, LUCKY STIFF, VARIATIONS, SUPERMAN, DEAR WORLD, THE GOODBYE GIRL BABY THE MUSICAL, CALAMITY JANE, MAME and ME & MY GIRL

Neglected Musicals is not for profit, where the participants are volunteers. All proceeds from ticket sales fund the next Neglected Musical.

Hayes Theatre Co is a dedicated music theatre and cabaret venue in Potts Point that was formerly the home of the Darlinghurst Theatre Company. Named for Australian musical theatre legend, Nancye Hayes OAM, Hayes Theatre Co honours and builds on the vast history of Australian Musical Theatre and its practitioners. This not-for-profit venue is managed by Independent Music Theatre, a collaborative partnership focusing on providing a permanent home for small-scale musical theatre and cabaret. By providing venue space to newly mounted productions, Hayes Theatre Co, will be a presenting partner together with independent producers and artists. Hayes Theatre Co is made possible through the City of Sydney's Accommodation Grant Program.