‘Big River’ playing at Little Theatre on the Square
The musical “Big River,” which tells of Huck Finn’s adventures down the Mississippi River, opens Wednesday at the Little Theatre on the Square in Sullivan.
The musical based on Mark Twain’s novel features an award-winning score by country music legend Roger Miller, with songs such as “Muddy Water,” “Waiting for the Light to Shine,” “Worlds Apart” and “Free at Last.”
“Big River” follows Huck Finn and his friend, Jim, a slave, as they seek to escape to freedom. The musical also brings to life characters from the novel such as the Widow Douglas, King and Duke, Tom Sawyer and Mary Jane Wilkes and her family.
Kelly Shook, whose work was last seen in “42nd Street” earlier this summer at the Little Theatre, directs “Big River.” Andrew Kruep, who joined the Little Theatre cast after appearing in the national tour of “Elf,” stars as Huck Finn. Gilbert Domally, who recently appeared in Bailiwick Chicago’s production of “Dessa Rose,” is Jim.
Musical direction is by Kevin Long, with scenic design by Alex Gaines.
“Big River” runs through June 29. Adult tickets are $37.50, and senior citizens 62 and older and children 12 and younger pay $35.40. Group pricing is available for groups of 20 or more people. Call 728-7375 or visit thelittletheatre.org.
Group presenting ‘Once Upon a Mattress’
The Tri-County Players will present from Friday through June 29, on weekends only, “Once Upon a Mattress,” with music by Mary Rodgers, lyrics by Marshall Barer and book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller and Marshall Barer.
Tammy Belanger, who directs, said the musical, the community theater group’s second annual Young Adult Show, is family friendly. An eight-piece band accompanies the cast members.
The cast: Savannha Stevenson as Princess Winnifred, Michael Duling as Prince Dauntless, Markus Janowski as King Sextimus, Kay Glover as Lady Larken, Mitchell Swanson as Sir Harry, Evan Seggebruch as Minstrel, Matthew Harper as Jester, Johanna Kerber as Queen and Austin McNealy as Wizard.
The performances at the Market Street Theatre in downtown Paxton will be at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $12. To reserve seats, call 379-7028. Group rates are available for 10 or more.
PechaKucha Night presenters sought
Presenters are being sought for PechaKucha Night C-U Volume 16 on Aug. 8 at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts in Urbana.
Presenters are artists, designers and other creative minds who each get a certain amount of time to talk about their passion, while showing images. The format is 20 slides presented in 20 seconds each, giving each presenter 6 minutes and 40 seconds. To apply, visit thecudo.org/pecha-kucha-app/.