Don’t miss ‘Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’

SHARON >> 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 through July 31 at Sharon Playhouse (49 Amenia Road).

A triple crown Tony Winner for Best Musical, Book and Score, Big River features a book by William Hauptman and music and lyrics by Roger Miller. Big River is directed by Artistic Director John Simpkins, choreographed by Jennifer Werner (Broadway: The Book of Mormon), with music direction by James Cunningham.

Based on Mark Twain’s masterwork, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, is brought to toetapping musical life in this coming of age journey and brilliant theatrical celebration of pure Americana that sweeps us down the mighty Mississippi as the irrepressible Huck Finn helps his friend Jim, a slave, escape to freedom.

The production features Joseph Allen (Huck), Nicholas Ward (Jim), Thomas Cannizzaro (Duke), Travis Mitchell (King/Pap), David Fanning (Judge), Alex Dorf (Tom), Carrie Lyn Brandon (Mary Jane), Ginny Rickard (Widow Douglas) Susan Hackel (Miss Watson), Galyana Castillo (Alice). The ensemble includes Tyler Altomari, Nick Case, Julia Hemp, Sarah Anne Fuller Hogewood, Jacqueline Minogue, Lily Autumn Page, Libby Rosenfield, Richard Spitaletta, Johnathan Teeling, and Aidan Wharton.

The production is designed by Josh Smith (scenery) Ken Wills (lighting), Michelle Humphrey (costumes), and Emma Wilk (sound). E. Sara Barnes is production stage manager. Geoff Josselson is casting director.

Big River opened at Broadway’s Eugene O’Neill Theatre on April 25, 1985. Winner of six 1985 Tony Awards including Best Musical, the production ran 1,0005 performances. Directed by Des McAnuff, the original cast featured Daniel Jenkins, Ron Richardson, John Goodman, Bob Gunton, Rene Auberjonois, and Patti Cohenour. Big River was revived on Broadway by the Roundabout Theatre and Deaf West production in 2003.

Tickets, at $15-$47, are available online and at the Sharon Playhouse Box Office by calling 860-3647469. The Sharon Playhouse (49 Amenia Road) is located at the foot of the Berkshires in idyllic Sharon, CT, and just a few minutes from the Metro North (Wassaic) train station. For more information, www.sharonplayhouse.org .

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Joseph Allen plays the role of Huck Finn at the Sharon Playhouse.

Nicholas Ward plays the role of Jim in “Big River” at the Sharon Playhouse.