Big River: From Novel to Stage
An Interpretive Exhibit by Alexa Tilley
The musical play Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has become one of America's best-loved theatrical productions in the last three decades. Written by William Hauptman with music by Roger Miller, it originally opened on February 22nd, 1984 at the American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Within one year, the musical became a hit, and opened on Broadway in April of 1985.
Despite the relatively short past of Big River, the story it tells has had a much longer presence in the world of American entertainment. The characters, plot, and themes of the musical are based on Mark Twain's beloved novel Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which was first published in January of 1885. The novel has been both popular and controversial for over one hundred years, but the musical adaptation shows us that Twain's unique characters and themes are still relatable to readers and audiences in the 21st century.
While the 1885 novel and 1984 musical adaptation have much in common, the century between them has required some elements of the original story to change in the musical version. The adaptation of Huck Finn's story for a new medium, the theatrical stage, has also forced some significant changes to occur. Explore this site to learn about the different ways that Big River successfully adapts Twain's original story for a modern theatrical stage.
Despite the relatively short past of Big River, the story it tells has had a much longer presence in the world of American entertainment. The characters, plot, and themes of the musical are based on Mark Twain's beloved novel Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which was first published in January of 1885. The novel has been both popular and controversial for over one hundred years, but the musical adaptation shows us that Twain's unique characters and themes are still relatable to readers and audiences in the 21st century.
While the 1885 novel and 1984 musical adaptation have much in common, the century between them has required some elements of the original story to change in the musical version. The adaptation of Huck Finn's story for a new medium, the theatrical stage, has also forced some significant changes to occur. Explore this site to learn about the different ways that Big River successfully adapts Twain's original story for a modern theatrical stage.