Big River

I also really like the show for the most part, but doubt it will be be revived in the near future due to the revival a few years back.

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It's much "smarter" than people give it credit for.

Kinda like the Twain source material itself.

The original production was breathtaking as far as sets, costumes and staging.

It came out in a VERY bleak year, and most people were depressed about the state of Broadway and theatre in general. It was touted as the best of what was around, but that wasn't saying much.

I think it was "sold short," and since then I have seen VERY few productions on Broadway with as solid an ensemble, as creative a vision, as strong a book and score, and as brilliant a design (the sets got applause during the show!).

What I remember most...

Roger Miller's BRILLIANT lyrics (many hidden meanings)...

Those sets... a wooden planked "river" that started on the stage and worked its way up into the scenery behind it.. shimmering and "moving" because of the equally brilliant lighting design.

The wonderful cast of "characters" performed by the most talented ensemble of performers I've seen in a musical to date.

It was a quiet little "gem" of a musical. Focused, humorous when it needed to be, dark in tone when it needed to be... inspirational, thought-provoking...

...classic.

I was fortunate enough to see it several times.

(Okay I'm a tad biased, because I had a good friend in the show, and as a result I was able to hang out with the cast on several occasions, at various parties, and just to sit around and talk and socialize.)

Okay, gang... Take my observations with a grain of salt if you want... but I do believe it was a monumental show that (in the grand scheme of things) has not been heralded for what it was. Subtle in approach and presentation, but shining in achievement.

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It's been revived recently, by the Roundabout and Deafwest, and it was a brilliant production.

I did a regional tour of it a few years ago in New England, and had a fantastic time. The score is incredibly charming. I would love to see the show done more often by theatres, but that doesn't seem to be the case, sadly.

I think it's a very good show too-- i think it's avoided because of the liberal use of the n word which we changed to slave.

Well, yeah, understandable--it was also a community theatre production and to be honest, I was glad--i really didn't want to have to bust out all those n bombs and still try to have the audience like me--but illegal nonetheless.

The Roundabout Revival was gorgeous! I wish it would have lasted longer. Tyrone Giordano was a revelation.

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I recently viewed the original production at the Lincoln center Library and I must say, I was greatly disappointed. Des McAnuf's direction, which is usually smooth as glass, seemed very clunky here. Most scenes were boringly set at center stage with awkward transitions and a noticable lack of dancing. The show, to me, is one that can be greatly infused with lively choreography in many of the larger numbers, but instead was often staged with a slew of characters aimlessly walking about the stage and cartoonishly scolding Huck. I realize this production won the best musical Tony, but it certainly was carried by a marvelous score. The deaf west production was supposedly marvelous, though i do wish for another straightforward revival in the future sometime. I think this might be a good show for the Kennedy center to produce as a pre-broadway engagement.

i liked the roundabout revival

I agree with Best12Bars, especially about the set for the original production. While the producer's wife got the credit, it was actually Rick Dennis who designed and constructed the set. Rick designed the sets for several years at The Hangar Theatre in Ithaca and whatever the show they were always magnificent and very creative.

Theatreboy: it is difficult to judge a production based on a tape, especially one made for archival purposes. The live spirit that is so essential to theater is missing. In the theater, BIG RIVER was a breathtaking experience. As was the recent revival. Neither was better or worse than the other, they were both remarkable productions of an under appreciated show.

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"Tom14850 - are you saying Heidi Landesman/Ettinger is a fraud? Did she not design the set for SECRET GARDEN? or TOM SAWYER?

And in what universe does the set desinger "construct" the set?"

I didn't say Heidi is a fraud. Perhaps you could ask her about the details. I'm sure she'll verify them.

I like it...have seen a few productions of it, and always feel like act two is very slow.
Goodspeed is doing it this summer.