Waitin’ For the Light to Shine

Big River

Based upon Mark Twain’s classic novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, this American classic is either revered or condemned. The novel still appears on high school summer reading lists but, thanks to a recent rise in literary censorship in conservative areas, is also banned in some areas. The story unfolds like a Southern version of Candide. Like Voltaire’s novel, it’s about a young man’s journey toward self-discovery. Episodic and peppered with pain, humor and lots of eccentric characters, Huck travels on and learns valuable lessons about life and the human race. 

After being raised as a “good Christian” by from his guardians, the Widow Douglas, her spinster sister, Miss Watson and Judge Thatcher, Huck Finn is taken back by his violent, drunken Pap. The boy discovers a chance to escape by staging his own death. Huck then sets out on his own, searching for adventure and independence. Along the way he chances upon his old friend Jim, a slave belonging to Miss Watson. Jim tells Huck that he’s running away, determined to head downstream where he can buy back his enslaved wife and two children. Jim’s built a raft, outfitted it with basic supplies and found a little money. He invites Huckleberry Finn to join him, who imagines that this might be the exciting adventure he’s been imagining. However, Huck has no idea of the bizarre and dangerous  adventures he will experience.

Rafting through the fog and rain, Huck and Jim miss the mouth of the Ohio River, their destination to freedom. Continuing downstream they try to avoid the law. They see a boat filled with runaway slaves being returned to their masters, observe a flooded house and discover a dead body floating in the muddy Mississippi. 

They eventually pick up two drifters who claim to be a Duke and a King. Actually, they’re actually immoral con men seeking to make a quick buck anyway possible. This includes duping the locals into buying tickets to a fake freak show, crashing a funeral and pretending to be the heirs to the family fortune and even selling Jim back into slavery. Huck enlists the help of his old buddy Tom Sawyer to free his friend, who’s been sold to Tom’s Aunt and Uncle. While Jim plans to head north to his original destination, hoping to buy back his family, Huck decides to head out West for more adventures.

Adapted by William Hauptman from Mark Twain’s highly esteemed and sometimes controversial novel, and reshaped a bit by Director Christopher Chase Carter, the saga spins forward as story theatre. Huck serves as both narrator and the focus of this musical, with each plot twist and every character we meet seen through his young, innocent eyes. As the story continues, however, it soon starts to feel a little long and somewhat redundant. Running two-and-a-half hours, including intermission, it seems that some judicious cuts and tightening would improve this show and move it along faster toward its wonderful songs. 

Composer/lyricist Roger Miller, known for such 60’s pop country hits as “Dang Me” and “King of the Road,” wrote a score for this show that’s original and memorable. Miller’s music is a unique blend of bluegrass, country, folk, gospel and honky-tonk. He’s infused his songs with witty, whimsical lyrics, as well as some sincerely beautiful, poetry. The audience patiently waits through the lengthy book scenes in anticipation of Miller’s delightful, homey tunes. They include joyful songs like “Do You Wanna Go to Heaven,” “Guv’ment,” “The Royal Nonesuch” and “Hand for the Hog.” Balanced against these are beautiful ballads like “Waitin’ for the Light to Shine,” “River in the Rain,” “You Oughta Be Here With Me” and the gorgeous “Leavin’s Not the Only Way to Go.”         

Artistic Director Christopher Chase Carter has done an excellent job of casting, staging and bringing the best out of his 15 member ensemble cast. The characters are all strong and memorable, with most of the actors playing multiple roles. Mr. Carter’s staging is inventive and makes great use of Jacqueline and Richard Penrod’s gorgeous Scenic Design. The story is brilliantly lit by Denise Karzcewski and features an excellent Sound Design by Kurt Snieckus. The cast looks fantastic in their Antebellum costumes, created by Marquecia Jordan, with stunning wigs and hair design by the talented Keith Ryan. Ariel Etana Triunfo’s spirited choreography is lots of fun and enhances most every song. Malcolm Ruhl’s Musical Direction is first-rate. The talented backstage bluegrass band, Conducted by Assistant Music Director, Marques Stewart, features violin, penny whistle, guitar, mandolin, harmonica, clarinet and jaw harp, and truly captures the flavor of pre-Civil War America.

This cast is magnificent. The production is led by two talented, charismatic young Chicago actors, both terrific singers and musicians. As Huckleberry Finn, Chicago College of the Performing Arts student, Eric Amundson, makes his Mercury debut. He is absolutely astounding and is bound to have a promising theatrical future. Having appeared in leading roles in several university musicals, Mr. Amundson holds the audience in the palm of his hands from the very beginning. Eric breathes innocence, charm and sincerity into Mark Twain’s famous literary creation, offering an honest portrayal of an adolescent brimming with curiosity and confidence. He delights in musical numbers like “The Boys” and “I, Huckleberry, Me,” as well as every company number.

A familiar face to Chicago audiences, gifted musical theatre actor Curtis Bannister plays Jim with strength, compassion and integrity. Remembered from his stellar portrayal of Coalhouse, in Music Theater Works’ production of “Ragtime,” as well as a multitude of brilliant performances all over the country, Mr. Bannister impresses once again with his gorgeous vocals. In this production he creates an empathetic young husband and father, unfairly separated from his family, who brings warmth and humor to this powerful role. The actor makes the horror of slavery feel real. Both actors blend perfectly in songs like the lovely, “Worlds Apart” and the show’s rousing anthem, “Muddy Water.” And Curtis is glorious in his eleventh hour ode to independence, a goose-bump generating “Free at Last.”

Other standouts in this excellent ensemble cast include the always wonderful McKinley Carter, as Miss Watson, Sally and others; Colleen Perry, whose vocal talents have been applauded at Mercury Theater as Janis Joplin in “Women of Soul,” plays the Widow Douglas and the Strange Woman, among others; the extraordinary Cynthia Carter dazzles with her expressive voice as Alice, and other ensemble members; and newcomer Amanda Handegan is lovely as Mary Jane.

Callan Roberts excites as a feisty, funny Tom Sawyer, among other characters. The brilliant comedy team of Gabriel Fries, playing the Duke and Judge Thatcher, and David Stobbe, as Huck’s Pap and the King, are both excellent. They particularly work well together as partners in crime while demonstrating strong vocal ability while individually commanding the stage with their comic timing.

Mark Twain’s 1884 novel about racial equality and human rights appeared on Broadway in 1985. It was a huge hit at the time. Particularly since, in the middle of the British Invasion of many powerhouse musicals, “Big River” stood out as a truly American piece of theatre. The original production took home the Tony Award for Best Musical, among seven others. It also earned a special Honor of Excellence Award for its innovative 2003 revival, co-produced by the Roundabout Theatre Company and Deaf West Theatre. 

It should be noted that the musical, like Twain’s novel, includes frequent use of the “N” word, which may shock audiences. But Director Christopher Chase Carter has chosen to retain the offensive word in his production for just that reason. It’s usage reflects a bygone era when the White population’s ignorance and their need to feel superior over African-Americans precluded any sensitivity. The word stings our ears today, and for that very reason Mr. Carter has left the word in his production.

Mercury Theater Chicago continues a legacy of excellent productions with this moving presentation. “Big River” features a cast of talented actor/singers, portraying both the main characters and the ensemble, who will knock your socks off. Featuring a reshaped script and creatively directed by Artistic Director Christopher Chase Carter, this epic journey down the muddy Mississippi is both playful and poignant. It’s a show with a toe-tapping score of delightful, bluegrass tunes that will cheer and charm. And during this gray, rainy Spring, audiences “Waitin’ for the Light to Shine,” will find a musical that provides entertainment and enlightenment that’ll break through the clouds of darkness.

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas           

Presented April 21-June 11 by Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Ave. Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office or by going to www.mercurytheaterchicago.com. 

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.