Based on the novel Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
The production is based on the 2003 Broadway staging by the Roundabout Theatre Company and the American Deaf West Theatre. Huckleberry Finn narrates the story of Huck, a young man who takes a long journey to accompany an escaped slave named Jim on his quest for freedom. In the process, Huck learns a great deal about himself and about the developing country around him.
The show blends American Sign Language (ASL) with traditional choreography and staging, affording a unique opportunity for deaf and hearing actors to work collaboratively and provide accessibility to a wider audience. In this adaptation, every line and lyric is simultaneously performed in spoken (or sung) English and ASL, and interwoven with music, dance, and storytelling techniques from both hearing and deaf cultures.
1985 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
1986 | US Tour |
1st National Tour US Tour |
1987 | US Tour |
2nd National Tour US Tour |
1997 | Milburn, NJ (Regional) |
Paper Mill Production Milburn, NJ (Regional) |
2003 | Broadway |
Roundabout Revival Broadway |
2004 | US Tour |
National Tour US Tour |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
1985 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Ron Richardson |
1985 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Daniel H. Jenkins |
1985 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Costume Design | Patricia McGourty |
1985 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Rene Auberjonois |
1985 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | John Short |
1985 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Bob Gunton |
1985 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | John Goodman |
1985 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Patti Cohenour |
1985 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Lighting Design | Richard Riddell |
1985 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Lyrics | Roger Miller |
1985 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Music | Roger Miller |
1985 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Orchestrations | Danny Troob |
1985 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Orchestrations | Steven Margoshes |
1985 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Set Design | Heidi Landesman |
1985 | The Hewes Awards | Costume Design | Patricia McGourty |
1985 | The Hewes Awards | Lighting Design | Richard Riddell |
1985 | The Hewes Awards | Scenic Design | Heidi Landesman-Ettinger |
1985 | Tony Awards | Best Book of a Musical | Big River |
1985 | Tony Awards | Best Costume Design | Patricia McGourty |
1985 | Tony Awards | Best Direction of a Musical | Des McAnuff |
1985 | Tony Awards | Best Lighting Design | Richard Riddell |
1985 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Dodger Theatricals |
1985 | Tony Awards | Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre | Roger Miller |
1985 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical | Ron Richardson |
1985 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical | Daniel H. Jenkins |
1985 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical | Rene Auberjonois |
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