Village Theatre will open its 2012-2013 season Sept. 12 with “Big River,” a Tony Award winning musical based on Mark Twain’s classic 1884 novel, “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.”
Driven by a powerful bluegrass and country score, “Big River” follows literary hero Huck Finn as he fakes his own death and hightails it to the river to help his friend Jim escape slavery – and the adventures they encounter along the way.
Featuring music and lyrics by chart-topping country singer-songwriter Roger Miller, the Village Theatre production, helmed by music director Tim Symons, will make some strategic orchestration enhancements and shine a brighter spotlight on Miller’s country flair. In place of a traditional orchestra pit, this production will find some cast members performing musical instruments live on stage. Symons also will play piano and conduct six other band members from a slightly elevated music pit on traditional Americana instruments, including banjo, dobro, harmonica, jaw harp, lap steel, organ and mandolin.
The cast features Broadway star (RENT, Scottsboro Boys) and TV actor (NBCs GRIMM) Rodney Hicks as Jim as well as newcomer Randy Scholz (Spelling Bee at SSR and The Odyssey at Taproot) as Huck Finn. Other cast members include: Richard Gray (The King), Greg McCormick Allen (The Duke), David Anthony Lewis (Pap), Taylor Niemeyer (Mary Jane), John David Scott (Tom Sawyer), Stacie Pinkney Calkins (Alice), Ben Wynant (Jo Harper), Matt Wade (Simon), Cheryl Massey-Peters (Widow Douglas), Jayne Muirhead (Miss Watson), Claudine Mboligikpelani Nako (Alice’s Daughter), and John Patrick Lowrie (Mark Twain).
When: Sept. 12 – Oct, 21
Where: Francis J. Gaudette Theatre. 303 Front Street North, Issaquah
Tickets: $22 – $63
Box office: 425-392-2202
