William Hauptman

Theatre and Literature: Musical Adaptations of Classic Novels

Which classic books have been made for the stage? Check out the full list here!

BIG RIVER Film Adaptation in the Works By CHICKEN & BISCUITS Writer Douglas Lyons

Douglas Lyons, who wrote the 2021 Broadway play Chicken and Biscuits, is adapting Big River into a movie musical. Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn first opened on Broadway in 1985, winning seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. A revival opened in 2003 with a special ASL production.

Review: BIG RIVER at Mercury Theater Chicago

Mercury’s production has some fabulous performances, but it doesn’t entirely answer the question of why BIG RIVER needed to be brought out of the archives.

Photos: Mercury Theatre Chicago Opens BIG RIVER On April 27

Mercury Theater has released first look production photos from Big River, a musical based on Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Mercury Theater Chicago Announces Cast of BIG RIVER

Mercury Theater Artistic Director Christopher Chase Carter, Managing Director Kristi J. Martens and Executive Producers L. Walter Stearns and Eugene Dizon has announced the cast and creative team for Big River, a musical based on Mark Twain's timeless classic Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Possum Point Players BIG RIVER: The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn Begins Next Week

Possum Point Players' Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn tickets are available now. One matinee is sold out and sales for all shows are heavy.

Possum Point Players Announce Cast For BIG RIVER Next Month

It might still be a little cool for a raft ride with Huck and Jim, but sponsor Dogfish Head Beer and Benevolence and the Possum Point Players invite you to reserve your spot on board now as they prepare to take you on “BIG RIVER: THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN.” Featuring Roger Miller's homespun country bluegrass music.

Review: Lyric Theatre Embarks On An Epic Journey With BIG RIVER

Big River is based on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. This Theatre for Young Audiences version has been adapted from the original Tony Award winning musical. Lyric presents their annual kids' show now through March 11th at their Lyric at the Plaza venue.

Possum Point Players Presents BIG RIVER Next Month

Possum Point Players' 50th anniversary season continues with the Award-Winning Broadway Musical, BIG RIVER: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Performances run March 24-April 2.

Possum Point Players Announce Optional Information Meetings and Auditions For BIG RIVER

Delaware's Possum Point Players have announced optional Information Meetings and Auditions for their spring musical 'BIG RIVER: THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN,' with music and lyrics by Roger Miller, book by William Hauptman, and directed for the Possum Point Players by John H. Hulse, with musical direction by Diane Trautman, and choreography by Deni Robinson.

Mercury Theater Chicago Announces 2023 Season; ROCK OF AGES, BIG RIVER, and More!

The 2023 Mercury Theater Chicago season has been announced, opening with Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, written by Lanie Robertson and starring Alexis J. Roston as Billie Holiday, to be performed in the Venus Cabaret Theater.

West 56th Street Between 6th & 7th Avenues to be Renamed 'Wynn Handman Way'

City Councilman Keith Powers, former Mayor Bill DeBlasio, former acting students of Wynn Handman and maybe a star or two will gather Monday, September 12 at 11:00 AM on the southeast corner of 7th Avenue and 56th Street for the naming of West 56th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues as Wynn Handman Way.

Previews: BIG RIVER at Roxy's Downtown

Roger Miller (KING OF THE ROAD) and William Hauptman’s musical adaptation about Mark Twain’s rebellious teenager Huck and a runaway slave named Jim, takes off, raft and all, on Roxy’s stage August 4, 2022. The limited engagement runs through August 20, 2022 for just 12 performances.

Wynn Handman, Producer and Acting Teacher, Has Passed Away at 97

Wynn Handman, the famed New York acting teacher and Artistic Director of The American Place Theatre, died at home April 11, 2020 of Covid-19 related pneumonia. He was 97.

Rubicon Theatre Company Announces Extension Of BIG RIVER: THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN

Rubicon Theatre Company has just extended the company's acclaimed, sold-out production of Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which now continues through November 17, 2019. Directed by Kirby Ward, with a company of 24, the production runs Wednesdays through Sundays in Ventura's Downtown Cultural District at the company's home at 1006 E. Main Street, Ventura, CA  93001.

BWW Review: BIG RIVER at Rubicon Theatre Company

An innovative immersive production, in which orchestra musicians step on stage to perform with the cast and an in-the-round configuration, highlights Rubicon Theatre Company's evocative, atmospheric production of 'Big River.' With a score by country music's Roger Miller, 'Big River' won 7 Tonys in 1985. The cast features Broadway veterans Josey Montana McCoy, David Aron Damane, and, in a special appearance, Renn Woods as Alice.

BWW Interview: Beverly & Kirby Ward of BIG RIVER at Rubicon Theatre Company

An interview with Beverly and Kirby Ward, producers and directors of the new production of 'Big River' at the Rubicon Theatre Company.

Rubicon Opens 22nd Season With Immersive BIG RIVER: THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN

Rubicon Theatre opens the company's 22nd Season with an environmental production of the musical Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, opening October 26 at 7pm and continuing through November 10, 2019. Directed by Kirby Ward, with a company of 23, the production runs Wednesdays through Sundays in Ventura's Downtown Cultural District at the company's home at 1006 E. Main Street, Ventura, CA  93001. 

Subscriptions For The 2020 Summer Mainstage Season On Sale Now At Bay Street Theater

Bay Street Theater is pleased to announce that 3-play subscriptions for the 2020 Summer Mainstage Season are now on sale to buy or renew. Each subscription includes one ticket to each of the 3 Mainstage productions, and a special greatly reduced price for a 4th show during the summer season. Subscriptions are available for Tuesday through Sunday evenings as well as matiness and start at just $141 and go up depending upon day of the week. Subscription pricing is the least expensive way of seeing the Mainstage summer shows, except for students who can attend for free on Sunday matinees, and those under age 20 who can attend for $20, and those under age 30 who can pay just $30.

BIG RIVER Opens At Hale Centre Theatre

Opening for it's first time at the Hale Centre Theatre in Gilbert is the acclaimed Broadway musical Big River! Playing April 4th, 2019 through May 11th, 2019. Directed by Tim Dietlein, Choreographed by Cambrian James, with Musical Direction by Elizabeth Spencer. Big River is a musical adventure with book by William Hauptman and music and lyrics by Roger Miller - Yes that Roger Miller. Based on Mark Twain's classic 1884 novel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, it features country and bluegrass music styles to keep with the rustic and adventurous setting of the novel.