Big River

Musical

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By Roger Miller(Music and Lyrics),William Hauptman(Book)

Based on The 1884 novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Setting: Missouri and on the Mississippi River - 1840s

Script in Virtual Library: Big River

Brief Description

Big River follows the story of young Huck Finn as he escapes his abusive father by faking his own death. He hitches a ride down the Mississippi River on a wooden raft, teaming up with Jim, a runaway slave seeking freedom. Along their journey, they encounter colorful con artists and dangerous obstacles, forming a deep bond that challenges the racial prejudices of the American South.

Year Written1985

Original LanguageEnglish

Type of WorkMusical

ThemesAdventure, Black Experience, Comedy, Drama, Friendship

Translations and Adaptations (0)

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Scene Breakdown (18)

Spoiler Warning! Click the scene to expand for Summary and Characters.

Act	Scene	Setting	Actions
One	1	St. Petersburg, Missouri	Complete
One	2	Injun Joe's Cave	Complete
One	3	Huck's bedroom; the Judge's office.	Complete
One	4	Pap's cabin deep in the woods on the Illinois shore.	Complete
One	5	Pap's cabin and Jackson's Island on the Mississippi River.	Complete
One	6	Jackson's Island and the Missouri shore.	Complete
One	7	On the Mississippi, heading to St. Louis	Complete
One	8	On the Ohio River.	Complete
Two	1	Tennessee	Complete
Two	2	Bricktown, Arkansas	Complete
Two	3	The raft, still near Bricktown	Complete
Two	4	Hillsboro, Arkansas	Complete
Two	5	The Wilkes home; the cemetery.	Complete
Two	6	Wilkes parlor; the cemetery	Complete
Two	7	The raft.	Complete
Two	8	Phelps Farm	Complete
Two	9	Jim's shed; a Doctor's office.	Complete
Two	10	Phelp's cabin	Complete

Characters (36)

Character Name	Gender	Age	Lines	Scenes	Actions
Huckleberry Finn	Male	teen	274	Act One, Scene 1Act One, Scene 2Act One, Scene 3Act One, Scene 4Act One, Scene 5	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Huckleberry Finnout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Jim	Male	20-40	106	Act One, Scene 1Act One, Scene 5Act One, Scene 6Act One, Scene 7Act One, Scene 8	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Jimout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Tom Sawyer	Male	teen	77	Act One, Scene 1Act One, Scene 2Act One, Scene 5Act Two, Scene 8Act Two, Scene 9	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Tom Sawyerout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
The King	Male	50+	70	Act One, Scene 8Act Two, Scene 1Act Two, Scene 2Act Two, Scene 3Act Two, Scene 4	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write The Kingout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
The Duke	Male	40s	59	Act One, Scene 8Act Two, Scene 1Act Two, Scene 2Act Two, Scene 3Act Two, Scene 4	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write The Dukeout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Mary Jane Wilkes	Female	teen	26	Act Two, Scene 4Act Two, Scene 5	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Mary Jane Wilkesout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Pap Finn	Male	40s +	22	Act One, Scene 3Act One, Scene 4Act One, Scene 5	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Pap Finnout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Silas Phelps	Male	30s+	21	Act Two, Scene 8Act Two, Scene 9Act Two, Scene 10	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Silas Phelpsout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Sally Phelps	Female	30s+	19	Act Two, Scene 8Act Two, Scene 10	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Sally Phelpsout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Doctor	Male	60s	19	Act Two, Scene 9Act Two, Scene 10	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Doctorout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Widow Douglas	Female	40s	14	Act One, Scene 1Act One, Scene 3Act One, Scene 5	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Widow Douglasout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Ben Rogers	Male	teen	13	Act One, Scene 1Act One, Scene 2Act One, Scene 5	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Ben Rogersout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Strange Woman	Female	30+	13	Act One, Scene 6	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Strange Womanout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Joe Harper	Male	young teen	11	Act One, Scene 1Act One, Scene 2Act One, Scene 5	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Joe Harperout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Miss Watson	Female	20-40	8	Act One, Scene 1Act One, Scene 5	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Miss Watsonout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Judge Thatcher	Male	30s+	8	Act One, Scene 1Act One, Scene 3Act One, Scene 5	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Judge Thatcherout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
First Man	Male	20s+	7	Act One, Scene 7	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write First Manout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Hank	Male	20+	7	Act Two, Scene 2	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Hankout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Lafe	Male	20+	7	Act Two, Scene 2	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Lafeout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Andy	Male	20+	5	Act Two, Scene 2	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Andyout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Young Fool	Male	teen	5	Act Two, Scene 4	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Young Foolout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Harvey Wilkes	Male	50+	5	Act Two, Scene 6	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Harvey Wilkesout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Sheriff Bell	Male	30+	5	Act Two, Scene 6	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Sheriff Bellout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Second Man	Male	20s+	4	Act One, Scene 7	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Second Manout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Counselor Robinson	Male	30+	5	Act Two, Scene 4Act Two, Scene 6	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Counselor Robinsonout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Simon	Male	teen	3	Act One, Scene 1Act One, Scene 2	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Simonout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Alice	Female	30+	3	Act Two, Scene 4Act Two, Scene 5	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Aliceout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Betsy	Female	teen	—	Act Two, Scene 4Act Two, Scene 5	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Betsyout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Dick	Male	teen	1	Act One, Scene 1Act One, Scene 2	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Dickout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Susan Wilkes	Female	teen	—	Act Two, Scene 4Act Two, Scene 5	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Susan Wilkesout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Joanna Wilkes	Female	teen	—	Act Two, Scene 4Act Two, Scene 5	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Joanna Wilkesout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
First Field Hand	Male	20s+	1	Act Two, Scene 10	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write First Field Handout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Third Field Hand	Male	20s+	1	Act Two, Scene 10	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Third Field Handout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Schoolmaster	Male	25+	—	Act One, Scene 1	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Schoolmasterout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Man in Crowd	Male	Any age	3	Act Two, Scene 2Act Two, Scene 6	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Man in Crowdout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Mark Twain	Male	50s+	—	Act One, Scene 1	Complete 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Mark Twainout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!

Production List (72)

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Opening Night	Closing Night	🎭 Production Name	🏛️ Company	🏢 Stage
31 May 2005	5 Jun 2005	Big River (2nd National Tour)	—	Paramount Theatre Seattle, Washington, United States
24 May 2005	29 May 2005	Big River (2nd National Tour)	—	Keller Auditorium Portland, Oregon, United States
10 May 2005	22 May 2005	Big River (2nd National Tour)	—	Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre Denver, Colorado, United States
12 Apr 2005	24 Apr 2005	Big River (2nd National Tour)	—	Fox Theatre St. Louis, Missouri, United States
5 Apr 2005	10 Apr 2005	Big River (2nd National Tour)	—	Hershey Theatre Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States
29 Mar 2005	3 Apr 2005	Big River (2nd National Tour)	—	Carol Morsani Hall Tampa, Florida, United States
15 Mar 2005	27 Mar 2005	Big River (2nd National Tour)	—	Procter & Gamble Hall Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
8 Mar 2005	13 Mar 2005	Big River (2nd National Tour)	—	Heinz Hall Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
28 Feb 2005	6 Mar 2005	Big River (2nd National Tour)	—	Shubert Theatre New Haven, Connecticut, United States
18 Feb 2005	27 Feb 2005	Big River (2nd National Tour)	—	DuPont Theatre Wilmington, Delaware, United States
7 Feb 2005	13 Feb 2005	Big River (2nd National Tour)	—	Palace Theatre Columbus, Ohio, United States
24 Jan 2005	6 Feb 2005	Big River (2nd National Tour)	—	Sacramento Community Center Theater Sacramento, California, United States
10 Jan 2005	23 Jan 2005	Big River (2nd National Tour)	—	Ahmanson Theatre Los Angeles , California, United States
3 Jan 2005	9 Jan 2005	Big River (2nd National Tour)	—	Centennial Hall Tucson, Arizona, United States
27 Dec 2004	2 Jan 2005	Big River (2nd National Tour)	—	McCallum Theatre Palm Desert, California, United States
30 Nov 2004	12 Dec 2004	Big River (2nd National Tour)	—	Allen Theatre Cleveland, Ohio, United States
22 Nov 2004	28 Nov 2004	Big River (2nd National Tour)	—	Academy of Music Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
15 Nov 2004	21 Nov 2004	Big River (2nd National Tour)	—	Wang Theatre at the Boch Center Boston, Massachusetts, United States
8 Nov 2004	14 Nov 2004	Big River (2nd National Tour)	—	Cofrin Family Hall Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States
2 Aug 2004	8 Aug 2004	Big River (2nd National Tour)	—	Fox Theatre Atlanta, Georgia, United States
20 Jul 2004	1 Aug 2004	Big River (2nd National Tour)	—	Music Hall at Fair Park Dallas, Texas, United States
12 Jul 2004	18 Jul 2004	Big River (2nd National Tour)	—	Miller Outdoor Theatre Houston, Texas, United States
11 Jun 2004	11 Jul 2004	Big River (2nd National Tour)	—	Curran Theatre San Francisco, California, United States
24 Jul 2003	21 Sep 2003	Big River	—	American Airlines Theatre New York City, New York, United States
6 Nov 1992	19 Dec 1992	Big River	Conejo Players	Conejo Players Theatre Thousand Oaks, California, United States
31 May 1988	5 Jun 1988	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Clowes Memorial Hall Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
24 May 1988	29 May 1988	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Riverbend Music Center Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
3 May 1988	8 May 1988	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Majestic Theatre San Antonio, Texas, United States
26 Apr 1988	1 May 1988	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Jones Hall for the Performing Arts Houston, Texas, United States
19 Apr 1988	24 Apr 1988	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Saenger Theatre New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
12 Apr 1988	17 Apr 1988	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Carol Morsani Hall Tampa, Florida, United States
5 Apr 1988	10 Apr 1988	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Ruth Eckerd Hall Clearwater, Florida, United States
29 Mar 1988	3 Apr 1988	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Bob Carr Theater Orlando, Florida, United States
15 Mar 1988	27 Mar 1988	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Hirschfeld Theatre Miami Beach, Florida, United States
6 Mar 1988	6 Mar 1988	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Sangamon Auditorium Springfield, Illinois, United States
4 Mar 1988	5 Mar 1988	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Hancher Auditorium Iowa City, Iowa, United States
3 Mar 1988	3 Mar 1988	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Western Hall Macomb, Illinois, United States
2 Mar 1988	2 Mar 1988	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Indiana University Auditorium Bloomington, Indiana, United States
1 Mar 1988	1 Mar 1988	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Prairie Home Alliance Theater Peoria, Illinois, United States
23 Feb 1988	28 Feb 1988	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Shubert Theatre New Haven, Connecticut, United States
19 Feb 1988	21 Feb 1988	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Providence Performing Arts Center Providence, Rhode Island, United States
16 Feb 1988	17 Feb 1988	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Fine Arts Center Concert Hall Amherst, Massachusetts, United States
8 Feb 1988	8 Feb 1988	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Fisher Auditorium Indiana, Pennsylvania, United States
5 Feb 1988	7 Feb 1988	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Rochester Auditorium Rochester, New York, United States
2 Feb 1988	4 Feb 1988	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	MSU Auditorium East Lansing, Michigan, United States
26 Jan 1988	31 Jan 1988	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Heinz Hall Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
24 Jan 1988	24 Jan 1988	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Miller Auditorium Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States
22 Jan 1988	23 Jan 1988	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	DeVos Hall Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
21 Jan 1988	21 Jan 1988	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Emens Auditorium Muncie, Indiana, United States
19 Jan 1988	20 Jan 1988	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Victoria Theatre Dayton, Ohio, United States
12 Jan 1988	17 Jan 1988	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Whitney Hall Louisville, Kentucky, United States
5 Jan 1988	10 Jan 1988	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Andrew Jackson Hall Nashville, Tennessee, United States
16 Dec 1987	16 Dec 1987	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Clemens Theater Elmira, New York, United States
17 Nov 1987	6 Dec 1987	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Emerson Colonial Theatre Boston, Massachusetts, United States
10 Nov 1987	15 Nov 1987	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	The Playhouse Wilmington, Delaware, United States
7 Nov 1987	8 Nov 1987	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Hershey Theatre Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States
5 Nov 1987	5 Nov 1987	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Keith-Albee Theatre Huntington, West Virginia, United States
3 Nov 1987	4 Nov 1987	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Broome County Forum Theatre Binghamton, New York, United States
16 Oct 1987	18 Oct 1987	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Masonic Auditorium Toledo, Ohio, United States
13 Oct 1987	15 Oct 1987	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States
29 Sep 1987	4 Oct 1987	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Mortensen Hall Hartford, Connecticut, United States
8 Sep 1987	20 Sep 1987	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Segerstrom Hall Costa Mesa, California, United States
1 Sep 1987	6 Sep 1987	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Sacramento Community Center Theater Sacramento, California, United States
25 Aug 1987	30 Aug 1987	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	San Diego Civic Theatre San Diego, California, United States
19 Aug 1987	23 Aug 1987	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Starlight Theatre Kansas City, Missouri, United States
12 Aug 1987	16 Aug 1987	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	The Muny St. Louis, Missouri, United States
4 Aug 1987	9 Aug 1987	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Atlanta Civic Center Theater Atlanta, Georgia, United States
21 Jul 1987	2 Aug 1987	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	Music Hall at Fair Park Dallas, Texas, United States
11 Jun 1987	18 Jul 1987	Big River (1st National Tour)	—	State Theatre Cleveland, Ohio, United States
25 Apr 1985	—	Big River	—	Eugene O'Neill Theatre New York City, New York, United States
24 Jun 1984	—	Big River	—	Mandell Weiss Theatre La Jolla, California, United States
22 Feb 1984	—	Big River	American Repertory Theatre	Loeb Drama Center Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States