Huckleberry Finn to come to Eccles Theatre in ‘Big River”
On Thursday at 8 p.m. The Capitol Arts Alliance will present “Big River,” a touring Broadway musical based on the book The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
“Big River” has won seven Tony Awards including best musical. The production combines stories from Mark Twain’s novel with music by the legendary songwriter Roger Miller.
“‘Big River” is American literature at its finest,” said Lisette Miles, executive director of the Capitol Arts Alliance.
“It puts one of America’s greatest writers and one of America’s greatest composers together for two hours of nonstop excitement,” she said.
With a cast of 26, Twain’s timeless classic comes to life as theaters portray the best-loved tales of Huck Finn and his new-found friend Jim, a black slave, as they journey down the Ohio River., Hollist said.
“As far as American Broadway professionals, this is the most fantastic story that exists,” said Julie Hollist, director of marketing and communications for the Ellen Eccles Theatre. “Great literature and music make it dynamic.”
The music is great and it’s the kind that has people leaving the theater singing, even if they don’t know the words, Hollist said.
“Big River” is the story of Huckleberry Finn and his friend Jim, a slave, and the variety of different people they meet, the eternal condemnation they are told they will receive from being friends and all of the fun times they have, Hollist said.
Although there hasn’t been much advertising, the people of Cache Valley know when a quality production is coming to town. Because of the cost of bringing a Broadway show to Logan is very expensive, though, ticket prices are not cheap, Hollist said.
There will be student rush tickets available for half price at the door one hour before the show begins, she said.
“We were motivated by the students’ tight budget to make tickets affordable without losing money,” Hollist said. “It’s very expensive to bring in, that’s why we don’t reserve the balcony at half price for students.”
Hollist said the price of the production is the minimum factor in bringing in a Broadway musical.
“Cats,” for instance, is about three times as expensive as “Big River.” Both the type and size of the production determine the price. Another factor is the route they are taking with the tour.
“If “Aida” is touring the Northeast, it would cost money to bring them over, as well as pay for the days they lose in travel,” she said. “If they’re in Denver, Salt Lake City or Seattle, then we would look into bringing them to Logan.
“People who see it, love it,” Hollist said. “It is a show the Cache Valley audience will appreciate.”
Tickets for “Big River” range in price from $17 to $30. Call 752-0026 or visit the Ellen Eccles Theatre box office at 43 S. Main St. for tickets or more information.