Heritage Hall News
Big River WInds Through The Hall This Weekend
Note: This article is the first of a two-part series highlighting activities related to Heritage Hall’s observance of Black History Month.
Get ready to “roll down the river” with this weekend’s production of Big River in the Heritage Hall Howard Theatre. Based on Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” William Hauptman’s retelling of the classic tale stands as one of the most powerful musicals of our time. Adding to the appeal for Oklahoma audiences is the phenomenal score, which was composed by Tony Award-winner and fellow Oklahoman Roger Miller.
The production follows a charming and brash boy, Huckleberry Finn (Jacob Livesay ’19), and his closest companion, a runaway slave named Jim (Edwin Lorne ’20), as they flee St. Petersburg, Missouri and float down the Mississippi River in search of adventure and freedom. Along the way, audience members will encounter many interesting characters, including Huck’s dad, Pap (Michael Gehr ’18); King (Dylan DeGraffenreid ’17); and Duke (Winston Scambler ’18).
Regarded as a heart-warming tale of self-discovery and friendship, Big River depicts situations reflective of the period that require some additional framing to better understand the context of the story. As such, the Upper School has incorporated the musical into a broader educational opportunity in conjunction with Black History Month in which students will gather for a day of activities that, as Headmaster Guy Bramble described, will promote “broad and critical reflection about the legacy of the African-American experience in all of its complexity.” Faculty and students will gather for a series of interactive presentations followed by a special showing of BIg River.
Rounding out the cast are Parker Allen ’18, Amber Banks ’26, Esther Banks ’23, Maya Banks ’20, Rachel Bayless ’17, Nate Branscum ’20, Chloe Brown ’22, Katie Curran ’21, Maddie Eales ’18, Amaris Esaw ’20, Henry Evans ’21, Elysium Gary ’22, Thomas Gehr ’20, Ellie Howell ’18, Annie Kerr ’18, Mackenzie Koch ’17, Sydney Lahodny ’18, Victoria Lane ’19, Jasmyne Le ’21, Michael Mandanas ’18, Noah McAdams ’20, Grant McLain ’20, Jackson Murphy ’22, Tahirah Naidu ’18, Layla Nassar ’22, Taiya Parker ’21, Audrey Payne ’20, Georgia Seres ’22, Cooper Shelton ’20, Andrew Smith ’21, Omari Smith ’21, Dylan Townsend ’21, Aneirin Truong ’19, Madalyn Will ’17, Alli Williams ’22, and Whitney Wood ’18.
Providing musical accompaniment for the show are orchestra members Bryson Ezell ’19, Bobby Herre ’19, Ellie Lewis ’20, Joe Longwell ’18, Skylar Mooneyham ’20, Kaitlin Palmer ’20, Kenneth Stebbins ’17, Sydney Tucker ’18, David Turner ’20, Jake Wilhelm ’20, and Turner Watkins ’19. Ensuring everything runs smoothly are our outstanding crew members Vijay Bhupathiraju ’18, Cully Greene ’18, Sarah Norton ’19, Wil Shapard ’20, Luke Stewart ’18, Elizabeth Turner ’18, and Luke Williams ’18.
Big River is directed by Jay Ferguson ’96 with music performed by the Heritage Hall Orchestra and conducted by David Hillis and Bart Varner. The impressive sets were constructed by stagecraft students under the instruction of Steven Gillmore.
Special thanks to costume coordinators Janet McLain and Donna Seres ‘93, without whom no Heritage Hall production would be complete, and to Christa Thompson for engineering the never-before-seen automation effects used in creating Huck and Jim’s raft.
Big River is a musical unlike any The Hall has ever produced. Along with its potent message and harrowing and beautiful music, this must-see show offers a charming and thoughtful story that stays with you forever.
Showtimes: Feb. 17 & 18, 7:00 pm; Feb. 19, 3:00 pm. Tickets: $10. This production is not recommended for younger guests.
Phone 405.749.3001
Fax 405.751.7372
Fax 405.751.7372
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