Reviewed by Judy Richter
Mark Twain's "The Adventures of
Huckleberry Finn"
is considered one of the greatest novels in American literature. Its musical
version, "Big River," with the novel's name as its subtitle, doesn't reach an
equivalent pinnacle, but it has its virtues.
They
become apparent in the TheatreWorks production directed by artistic director-founder Robert
Kelley. For one,
the excellent cast produces some fine renditions of the music and lyrics by Roger
Miller, who has
created a score rife with country, blues and spirituals. For another, the cast
has fun with some of the situations in the book by William Hauptman, who adapted his script from
Twain's novel.
Best
of all, there's James Monroe Iglehart, who plays Jim, a runaway slave who shares Huck's
adventures as their raft drifts down the Mississippi River from the fictional
town of St. Petersburg, Mo. A fine singer, Iglehart is just back from three
years in the Broadway production of "Memphis," in which he continued to
play the role of Bobby, which he had originated in the world premiere at
TheatreWorks. The imposing Iglehart imbues Jim with a dignity and integrity
that surpass any other character in the show.
Therefore,
the decision by Huck (the appealingly boyish Alex Goley) to help him elude capture
becomes both believable and inevitable even though Huck understands that in
doing so, he's breaking the law. After all, the action takes place in the early
1840s, when slavery was legal in many states and when slaves were regarded more
as property than as human beings.
This
theme comes through despite the shenanigans of other characters like Tom Sawyer
(Scott Reardon),
a decent fellow who nevertheless makes everything too complicated in the name
of adventure. The script also spends too much time on two flimflam men, the
King (Martin Rojas Dietrich) and the Duke (Jackson Davis), despite the comedic talents of
both actors. Except for Iglehart and Goley, nearly everyone else in the large
cast plays multiple characters.
While
Jim is trying to reach a non-slave state and earn enough money to free his wife
and children, from whom he has been separated for several years, Huck is trying
to escape his drunken, murderous father, Pap (Gary S. Martinez). The two set off on a raft, drifting
by night and sleeping in secluded spots during the day. In one of the more
touching scenes, they spot a boat loaded with recaptured slaves, who sing
"The Crossing,"
a sad spiritual.
Music
director William Liberatore conducts the singers and the six-member orchestra from
the keyboard. The uncluttered set, featuring a backdrop of a winding river, is
by Joe Ragey,
with lighting by Pamila Z. Gray. The choreography is by Kikau Alvaro, while the costumes are by B
Modern and the
sound by Jeff Mockus.
"Big
River," which premiered on Broadway in 1985, won seven Tonys, including
Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. It does have much to commend it, but
the source still has greater depth.