"Big River" is a retelling of "Huckleberry Finn," and it's a case where the lyricist's love for the source material is constantly obvious. The lyricist isn't overly reverent toward Mark Twain. He is also not glib or superior toward his material. He writes with warmth, confidence, and energy--and a sense of humor.
The town surrounding Huck can't tolerate Huck's spiritedness: "If you don't learn to read then you can't read your Bible and you'll never get to Heaven....cuz you won't know how!"
Huck himself is memorably defiant: "...And I'll never change for no one....no matter what they say. If I want to smoke in church, I'll smoke. If I want to pray, I'll pray." As part of his education, Huck tries on show-business, marketing a freak show, a "Royal Nonesuch": "She's got one big breast in the middle of her chest and an eye in the middle of her nose. So says I if you look in her in the eye? You're better off looking up her nose...."
The first Broadway version of "Big River" was distinguished by a towering, regal performance from Ron Richardson, who played Jim. Whenever he pops up on the recording, the show springs to life; listening is like listening to God. (Richardson was well-matched by a witty, exuberant performance from Daniel Jenkins, who was the original Huck.)
Shortly after "Big River" made its splash, Richardson died; the cause was complications from AIDS. I have never been able to determine whether Richardson was gay; this kind of detail was shrouded in secrecy in the eighties. (See also the life and romantic career of Arnold Lobel.)
In any case, "Big River" gives us a fairy-tale-esque adventure: A spiky hero detaches from his carping parent-figures and has wild times on the road. (On the river, actually.) The show also gives us a thorny and slightly-homoerotic central friendship--between Huck and Jim--and it's never less-than-moving to hear the two huddling together to address the Mississippi: "Sometimes, in a time of trouble, when you're out of hand, and your muddy bubbles roll across the floor...Carryin 'way the things I treasure....Hell, there ain't no way to measure why I love you more...than I did the day before..."
"Big River" has more heart and more braininess than most of the shows that make it to Broadway. I think about it now and then. If you haven't ever listened, it's not a bad introduction to the charms and possibilities of the American musical theater.
P.S. Yes! The baby is here. Joshua is resting and doing well. He seems to acquire more and more personality by the hour. More soon!
P.P.S. The original "Big River" gives you--additionally--John Goodman, in a (typically) great portrait of Huck's father. THAT John Goodman. Doing a musical!
The town surrounding Huck can't tolerate Huck's spiritedness: "If you don't learn to read then you can't read your Bible and you'll never get to Heaven....cuz you won't know how!"
Huck himself is memorably defiant: "...And I'll never change for no one....no matter what they say. If I want to smoke in church, I'll smoke. If I want to pray, I'll pray." As part of his education, Huck tries on show-business, marketing a freak show, a "Royal Nonesuch": "She's got one big breast in the middle of her chest and an eye in the middle of her nose. So says I if you look in her in the eye? You're better off looking up her nose...."
The first Broadway version of "Big River" was distinguished by a towering, regal performance from Ron Richardson, who played Jim. Whenever he pops up on the recording, the show springs to life; listening is like listening to God. (Richardson was well-matched by a witty, exuberant performance from Daniel Jenkins, who was the original Huck.)
Shortly after "Big River" made its splash, Richardson died; the cause was complications from AIDS. I have never been able to determine whether Richardson was gay; this kind of detail was shrouded in secrecy in the eighties. (See also the life and romantic career of Arnold Lobel.)
In any case, "Big River" gives us a fairy-tale-esque adventure: A spiky hero detaches from his carping parent-figures and has wild times on the road. (On the river, actually.) The show also gives us a thorny and slightly-homoerotic central friendship--between Huck and Jim--and it's never less-than-moving to hear the two huddling together to address the Mississippi: "Sometimes, in a time of trouble, when you're out of hand, and your muddy bubbles roll across the floor...Carryin 'way the things I treasure....Hell, there ain't no way to measure why I love you more...than I did the day before..."
"Big River" has more heart and more braininess than most of the shows that make it to Broadway. I think about it now and then. If you haven't ever listened, it's not a bad introduction to the charms and possibilities of the American musical theater.
P.S. Yes! The baby is here. Joshua is resting and doing well. He seems to acquire more and more personality by the hour. More soon!
P.P.S. The original "Big River" gives you--additionally--John Goodman, in a (typically) great portrait of Huck's father. THAT John Goodman. Doing a musical!
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