After a week-long delay while The Grand in Ellsworth sought more diversity in the cast, “Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” opened over the weekend in a mostly successful production of the musical featuring country, bluegrass and gospel music.
Four Black performers came forward to join the cast after opening night was postponed a week from April 4. If they had not come forward, the production would have been in violation of the licensing agreement and would have had to cancel the run.
Just one Black actor auditioned for the show and Jeff Ferrell was cast as the runaway slave Jim, Huck’s traveling companion. New Black cast members are Jayden Ellison, a senior at Ellsworth High School; Brandon Murphy, a lobsterman and boat builder; Purvis Smith, a retiree; and engineer Lucie Hutchins, whose brother-in-law, Brent Hutchins, plays multiple roles. All are part of the ensemble but their presence on stage adds depth to the production and helps focus the story on the inhumanity of slavery as an institution.
In his biography in the program, Murphy said he “is participating in this musical to highlight not only the Black experience but also the importance of history, resilience, and overcoming adversity.”
The show beautifully portrays all three.
“Big River” opened on Broadway in 1985 to mixed reviews but it won seven Tony Awards and ran for more than 1,000 performances. The Grand last produced the show in 2001 with Ferrell as the only Black actor and several white performers in black face, an idea that was not considered for the current show.
The music and lyrics for “Big River” were written by country music composer Roger Miller, best known for his hit song “King of the Road” in which he mispronounced the name of Maine’s Queen City. The book was written by William Hauptman and based on Mark Twain’s classic novel, first published in 1884.
Director Doug VanGorder has brought together a talented ensemble and Ashley Terwilliger’s vocal direction brings out the best of those talents, especially in the chorus work. The nine-person band, led by Shane Ellis, is excellent and is equally adept at playing the various musical styles but occasionally is too loud.
Hunter Jones’ portrayal of Huckleberry Finn is pretty straightforward without much nuance until he opens his mouth to sing. Then, he bares Huck’s soul to the audience in “Waitin’ for the Light to Shine.” Jones is at his best in Huck’s scenes with Ferrell’s Jim.
Ferrell, who is usually more involved off stage than on, has a rich baritone that beautifully carries the thematic weight of “Big River.” The actor heartbreakingly talks about the agony of being separated from his wife and children and his determination to get to a free state and earn enough money to buy their freedom.
His second-act song, “Free at Last,” is the only real show stopper in that act. Ferrell’s voice beautifully blends with Jones’ in “Muddy Water” and “River in the Rain” in Act One.
Sixteen-year-old Jonah Uphouse as Tom Sawyer brings a teenage burst of energy to the stage that most of the other performers lack. He is in constant motion and lights up The Grand in “The Boys” and “Hand for the Hog.” More of Uphouse’s spark would have helped move the second act along if the writers had included more of his Tom Sawyer.
Other standouts in the cast are Andy Phinney as the violent Pap Finn and the con man The Duke, and Thomas VanGorder as fellow con man, the King. That duo expertly provides most of the comic relief in the show and perfectly capture Twain’s portrait of two scoundrels on the road to riches and ruin.
The technical aspects of this show are top notch with the scenic design by Joe Lewis, costumes by Stephanie Urquhart and Beth Zietlin, and lighting design by Lorelei Wehrfritz. The seemingly effortless way the actors are able to maneuver the raft on stage is magical.
The flaws in “Big River,” which clocks in at nearly three hours including an intermission, are in the script. The second act is far too long and rather than the usual big-production climax, the show ends with a whimper.
Try as they might, the cast, the crew and band can’t quite keep theatergoers from squirming in their seats during the plodding second half. But those beautiful voices will dance in their heads for a while after they leave the theater.
“Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” will be performed at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, at 2 p.m. Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sunday at The Grand, 165 Main St., Ellsworth. For tickets, visit thegrandonline.org or call 667-9500.
