On the Mississippi
Big River performed as Wolfe Street fundraiser at Argenta theater
Supporters of one of the state’s most prominent resources for individuals and families recovering from alcoholism and addiction came together July 19 for Big River:
A Night at Argenta Community Theater for Wolfe Street. The sold-out event preceded the musical’s official opening night at the North Little Rock theater, with proceeds going to help pay operational costs at the Wolfe Street Foundation.
In the hour before the show, guests mingled in the theater lobby as well as at a special reception for Hidden Hero award winner Liz Waldron, a longtime sponsor of the agency, and event volunteers. Drop-in attendees of the latter enjoyed libations, sandwiches and light hors d’oeuvres from Simply the Best Catering.
A short program began with a welcome by Vincent Insalaco, artistic director of the theater. Wolfe Street’s outgoing Executive Director Caroline Ford shared the agency’s purpose, thanked supporters and made a presentation to Waldron, who, along with her late husband “were instrumental in enabling Wolfe Street to be where we are today.” Board President Tim Laughlin made a special farewell presentation to Ford.
Insalaco, along with director Brandon Box-Higdem, introduced Big River, based on the Mark Twain classic The
Adventures of Huckleberry
Finn. Payton Justice as Huck Finn, Jeremiah James Herman as runaway slave Jim, Will Porter as Tom Sawyer and other members of the large cast kept the audience riveted with their energetic performance of the musical, set on and along the Mississippi River and including such numbers as the Natural State-specific “Arkansas/ How Blest We Are.”