Tickets on Sale Now for Philadelphia Engagement of Big River, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Coming to the Academy of Music for Eight Performances Only, November 23 - 28
Directed by Jeff Calhoun
October 11, 2004
The performance schedule is: Tuesday and Wednesday evenings (Nov. 23 & 24) at 7:30pm; Friday and Saturday evenings (Nov. 26 & 27) at 8pm; Sunday evening (Nov. 28) at 6:30pm; matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 1pm. No performances are scheduled for Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25.
With music and lyrics by Roger Miller, Book by William Hauptman, adapted from the novel by Mark Twain. The show, which will again be directed and choreographed by Jeff Calhoun, adds sign language to the existing music and lyrics by Roger Miller and book by William Hauptman, and won rave reviews during its extended run on Broadway during the summer/fall of ’03 , following its critically acclaimed engagement at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. Tyrone Giordano, Michael McElroy and Daniel Jenkins return to play Huck, Jim and Mark Twain, roles that each originated in the recent Broadway production.
The Deaf West Theatre Production of BIG RIVER, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn includes deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing actors performing each role in a synchronized ballet of speaking, signing, gesture, song and dance. Spoken English and American Sign Language (ASL) are interwoven with music, dance, and storytelling techniques from both hearing and deaf cultures into a "third language" creating a unique and groundbreaking theatrical experience.
The award winning production, comprised of a cast of both hearing and deaf performers, was originally developed at Deaf West Theater in North Hollywood in the fall of 2001. After winning numerous awards, it transferred and was further developed during its first full Equity contract at the Mark Taper Forum in 2002. Subsequently, BIG RIVER played on Broadway in the 2003-04 season at the Roundabout Theatre Company in a co-production between Deaf West and Roundabout in association with the Mark Taper Forum.
The show is based on one of the greatest creations in American Fiction, Mark Twain’s classic The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. This tale of adventure and self-discovery begins on a raft on the Mississippi River in the 1840’s, where Huck, escaping from his drunken father, meets up with Jim, a runaway slave. The story of their journey downstream is an American classic that captures the rhythms, sounds and spirits of life on the big river.
The original production of BIG RIVER opened on Broadway on April 25, 1985 at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre and was the winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book and Best Score. The musical numbers include, "Do You Want To Go To Heaven," "Waiting for the Light to Shine," "Muddy Water," "When the Sun Goes Down in the South" and "Worlds Apart."
During its initial staging at Deaf West, the production won six Theatre L.A. Ovation Awards, five Los Angeles, Drama Critics’ Circle Awards, and five Back Stage West Garland Awards — including 'Best Musical' nods from each.
The touring production is produced by Atlanta’s Theater of the Stars and Deaf West Theater, in association with Dallas Summer Musicals, Houston’s Theater Under the Stars, Boston’s Wang Center for the Performing Arts and Washington, D.C.’s Fords Theatre in association with the Center Theater Group, Roundabout Theater Company and Jeff Calhoun.
Citizens Bank Broadway at the Academy subscription packages are still available and feature upcoming Broadway musicals and shows including Disney’s On The Record (Jan. 5 - 9), Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby (March 22 - 27), Tim Conway & Harvey Korman: Together Again (March 31), Smokey Joe’s Café (April 1 - 3), Riverdance (April 5 - 10), and Evita (June 21 - 26).
All performances of Citizens Bank Broadway at the Academy are generously supported by Citizens Bank. Septa, The Commuters Choice, proudly supports Citizens Bank Broadway at the Academy. Cadillac is the Official Vehicle of Citizens Bank Broadway at the Academy. American Airlines is the Official Airline of Citizens Bank Broadway at the Academy. American Express is the Official Card of Kimmel Center Presents.
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