Plan ahead to attend Big River opening Nov. 9 Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre and Kaua‘i Community Players are working together to present the Tony Award-winning musical Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, based on the classic 19th-century American novel by
Plan ahead to attend Big River opening Nov. 9
Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre and Kaua‘i Community Players are working together to present the Tony Award-winning musical Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, based on the classic 19th-century American novel by Mark Twain.
Big River follows the adventures of the rebellious Huck Finn (Toby Riggle) and the runaway slave Jim (Janardan Link) as the two board a raft and set sail down the Mississippi River in search of freedom and then discovering the value of true friendship.
This classic tale of adventure and self-discovery is a heartwarming piece of Americana and the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Score for its homespun mix of country, blues, and gospel music by Roger Miller, one of the great country singer-songwriters of the 1960’s.
While this celebrated novel would seem to be a peculiar choice to adapt into a musical, what audiences will experience is an uplifting and ultimately positive story about a young man’s journey to look beyond the surface and learn to value the inspiration he receives from unlikely sources. And the music will have your toes tapping and hands clapping.
In addition to Riggle and Link, the Big River cast includes theatre favorites: Arnold Meister and Fredan Alfonso as the King and the Duke, Dottie Bekeart and Delia Valentin as Widow Douglas and Miss Watson, and Chris Check as Huck’s pal Tom Sawyer.
The supporting cast of over 40, includes: Gabriel Abrams, Jada Ayon, Codi Barnett, Juli Blachowiak, Ernie Blachowiak, Drew Brumbaugh, Jorey Cantu, Chelsea Ceaser, Chanterelle Chantara, Beorn Chantara, Lana Coffman, William D’acre, Gina D’acre, Jeff Demma, Karen Dickinson, Micki Evslin, Tiffany Fagerstedt, Ezra Fernandez, Karen Firl, Kameron Fort, Savanah Frisk, Nancy Golden, Jo Grande, Ralph Guest, Lolli Hagen, Carly Koulbanis, Casia Koulbanis, Margo Latif, Sequoia Leech-Kritchman, Morgan Liddell, Laura Matsuyama, Dain Metcalfe, Casey Nakamura, Megan Ross, Shianne Schorr, David Shell, Michael Shooltz, Raina Silver, Katy Talvi, Jace Turville, Kathleen Van Kirk, Marty Whitney, Steve Whitney and Cameron Williamson.
Big River is directed by Ed Eaton, who helmed last year’s crowd pleaser “Annie.” The Big River production team includes Musical Director Alan Van Zee and Stage Manager Marly Madayag. Dennis McGraw will lead the wild bunch of blue grass musicians that will be the Big River Orchestra.
Performances are Nov. 9-11, 16-18, and 23-25. Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m., Sundays at 4 p.m. at the War Memorial Convention Hall in Lihu‘e. Tickets are $10 from cast members, $15 at the door and $12 from the following outlets: K-Mart, Bubba’s Burgers in Kapa’a and Hanalei, North Shore Pharmacy, Grande’s Gems Kapaa and Kalaheo Coffee Co. A special $50 ticket is available for the Opening Night Hootenanny on Nov. 9. The ticket includes preferred seating to the opening performance, a delicious country-themed dinner, entertainers from the show, and a chance to win a walk-on role. Additional information is available by calling 245-7700 or online at www.hawaiichildrenstheatre.com
Literary winners read at
Sustainability Conference
Congratulations to all who entered Kaua‘i Backstory’s second annual creative competition. In keeping with the contest’s theme of ‘Green’ the writers being honored for excellence will read their winning submissions at Kaua‘i’s Sustainability Conference tomorrow at the KCC Performing Arts Center during the lunch hour at 1 p.m. in the cafeteria.
There were many compelling entries. Kaua‘i is bless ed with some talented writers, which made it difficult to honor a limited few. Even if your submission was not chosen, you can support the writing life by coming to hear the readings tomorrow at the conference. And if you did make the list of “winners” and “runners up,” we look forward to hearing your piece read aloud or seeing your art work displayed.Winners and runners up are posted at kauaibackstory.com.
