Theatre Arlington’s ‘Big River’ is outstanding in every way
By PUNCH SHAW
Special to the Star-Telegram
ARLINGTON — All the talk out of Arlington lately has been about sports franchises and the house that Jerry built.
But if you want to see an outfit that is really knocking it out of the park and putting it through the uprights, buy a ticket for Theatre Arlington’s superb production of Big River, a musical adaptation of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn with songs by the late country singer Roger Miller.
This show, directed by B.J. Cleveland, sparkles in every regard. Parker Fitzgerald is an energetic and able Huck (although he is sometimes a bit overmatched by the score). And the immensely talented Major Attaway, who is well-known to Jubilee Theatre audiences, finally gets the showcase he deserves on another stage in the role of the runaway slave, Jim. His rich baritone alone is worth the price of admission, and he plays his role almost as well as he sings it.
Supporting players Burl Proctor and Jeff McGee revel in their parts as a couple of nefarious schemers who fall in with the fleeing Huck and Jim. And Tiffany Mann shines in two gorgeous gospel numbers.
The simple set by Jack Hardaway serves the production well. The five-piece band led by Michael Plantz never misses a note. And no one is credited in the program for costumes, but they are excellent.
But the most outstanding effort is seen in Cleveland’s brilliant staging and the performances he draws from players who should not be equal to this task.
The only quibble that might be made about Big River is that Miller’s score is not as compelling as the story. It lacks that big hit or two that is required of successful musicals.
But you have not seen, or likely will not see, a musical this year that offers more bang for your buck than this one.
And unlike at Cowboys Stadium, they sure as heck aren’t going to charge you $75 to park.
To read more of these great reviews and to discover what the audiences have been saying, visit www.theatrearlington.org.
