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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Pat Parker
510-655-8974
BIG RIVER Opens at Contra Costa Civic Theatre February11
El Cerrito, January 14, 2011--The Tony-Award-winning musical Big River: The Adventures of
Huckleberry Finn opens at Contra Costa Civic Theatre on Friday, February11. Based on Mark
Twain's beloved novel and propelled by an award-winning score by Roger Miller, the king of
country music, this jaunty journey provides a brilliantly theatrical celebration of pure Americana.
Twain's timeless classic sweeps us down the mighty Mississippi as the irrepressible Huck Finn
(Michael Scott Wells) helps his slave friend Jim (LaMont Ridgell) escape to freedom at the
mouth of the Ohio River. Their adventures along the way are hilarious, suspenseful and
heartwarming. They bring to life such favorite characters from the novel as the Widow Douglas
(Peg Healy) and her stern sister, Miss Watson (Sue Claire Jones); the uproarious King (Danny
Cozart) and Duke (Joel Roster), who may or may not be as harmless as they seem. Adding to the
fun are Huck's partner in crime, Tom Sawyer (Alex Kirshner) and their rowdy gang of pals;
Huck's drunken father, the sinister Pap Finn (Leonard Audo); the lovely Mary Jane Wilkes
(Ginny Wehrmeister) and her trusting family.
Big River features a cast of 32 actors, “the largest cast we've had on this stage in quite a few
years," states Director Derrick Silva."The story itself is epic, and I'm very lucky to have such a
large, talented cast with which to work". Silva, also Artistic Director for Contra Costa Civic
Theatre says, “This is a show that CCCT has wanted to produce for some time, and we're very
fortunate to bring it to our audiences as part of our 51st season".
Music direction for Big River is by CCCT Resident Music Director Joe Simiele, and the set was
designed by founding family member Matt Flynn. Resident Designers Adam Fry and Travis
Rexroat created the lights and sound, and Marguax Hodges is stage manager. Costumes are by
Lisa Danz, props are by Kyla Morris, and Henry Perkins built the elaborate set.
Winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Music and Best Book of a Musical,
Big River opened on Broadway in 1985 and ran for over 1,000 performances. A critically
acclaimed Broadway revival and national tour by Deaf West Productions in 2004 enthralled
audiences with its unique blend of deaf and hearing-impaired performers connecting through
sound and sign.
Big River plays Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, through March 13. Tickets
are $24, $15 for 16 and under and may be purchased online at www.ccct.org or by phone at 510524-9132. Contra Costa Civic Theatre is located at 951 Pomona Avenue (at Moeser), with free
parking in an adjoining lot.
Photo caption:
Jim, the runaway slave (LaMont Ridgell) and Huck Finn (Michael Scott Wells) take a rest from
their journey alongside the Mighty Mississippi in Contra Costa Civic Theatre's production of Big
River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, opening February 11.