Big River

The Springer's production of "Big River" was the first time I've seen the musical. Opening in 1985, it won 11 Tonys including Best Musical and Roger Miller became the only country music artist to win a Tony. I've probably never seen it because it is a difficult production not only for its sweep but for the demands it makes on its cast. There are nine or ten parts that require a voice to stand out and another fifteen or so voices in the cast. The Springer's production opened with 27 people on stage and this in a period when most theaters are looking for small cast plays.

Miller's book very closely follows Twain's and Paul Pierce's direction as closely follows Miller's book which means there's not very much innovation in the production and it lacks the tension that would come from taking a few chances. It's very much a yeoman effort.

Of the two main characters, Huck Finn and Jim, only Keith Patrick McCoy as Jim rises above the production. His rich baritone voice was best put to use in the second act in "Free at Last" which is as close to a show stopper as this show has. Mike Morin, as Huck, has a modest tenor voice without nearly the volume of McCoy and their duets such as "Muddy Water" in the first act were almost dissonant. Fortunately they were much better together in the second act when they sang "Worlds Apart" and Morin was at his own best with "Waiting for the light to shine".

Miller's music is not challenging but only one of the songs is patently country, Mary Jane Wilkes' "You oughta be here with me" which Tammy Winnette would be comfortable with. Janie Lee Bullock, who seems to be everywhere these days, conducts a ten piece orchestra which never overwhelmed the singers. On some songs where only part of the cast was on stage, Pierce brought the rest of the cast into the orchestra area to bulk up the voices and it was helpful without being noticed by the majority of the crowd.

The acting was mostly adequate although I was distracted by McCoy's Rochester imitation-beginning sentences with a very high pitch-particularly in the first act. And although it's a small part, Dylan Stephan as Tom Sawyer astonished with his theatrical performance. He's a product of the Springer Academy and his remarkable polish for a high school junior stood out among even the professionals. He could very easily find himself on Broadway.

The crowd, once again was slight. Pierce says that the Springer is up 9% year over year but one wonders if they haven't lost ground with the last two productions on the main stage. I thought the low turnout for Hamlet might be because of the subject but this town likes musicals and Big River has seats available. It's a tough time but there's not a better way to escape than to catch a live show and all the local theaters will have shows next week-end so catch one!