Big River, about to embark on its nationwide tour, has a great many things going for it. The show is vast, considerable, and mounted on a grand scale. I wondered what others thought of it, and so I asked.
"Mr. Samuel Clemens, now there was a right smart man. He made hisself a book that was rightly perfect for folks to make into a musical show, didn't he? Much as I recall, it was 'bout the only new show up there on Broadway at the time and it won itself most all the prizes."
What do you think about that?
"It's a good thing, as I see it. 'Cause a man by the name of Mr. Roger Miller wrote some fine tunes--danged if I do say so myself. The crowd they put up there on the stage can really sing'em, too."
So, you liked it?
"I tell you, I liked it when they sent them rafts afloatin' 'cross the stage--why, I bet I hain't seen the likes of anythin' like it in my life. They even had stars that lit up a whole sky. I reckon there was pretty things in 'bout ever scene. And there at the end--even though I alrudy knowed what was gonna happen--I was mighty happy when they let ol' Jim go free."
And I couldn't have agreed more.
"Cuz Jim's my friend. And so's Huck, too! Ha ha! I guess I'd have to say most all the people loved the story bein 'told. But the way I seen it, sometimes this here Huck was too happy when he should a been just happy and ol' Jim got real mad when Jim us pro'bly just git a little mad. 'Says I,' I said, 'we ain't seen enough 'tween the two of them 'cause we bin seein' so much of the Duke and the King.'"
I thought they were very good actors.
"Now, I give you that they is a funny pair. They git to cavortin' around so much that they kinda steal the thunder from Huck and Jim, in my estimation. But the folks out front loved'em, and I figure that's why they had'em up there so much."
I understood that.
"Me, I liked it when Jim said, 'You my only friend in the world, Huck. But you my best friend!' And then I liked Mary Jane--she sang right nice most all the time--'specially when she sang over her dead father's coffin: 'If you think yur lonesome where you are tonight, then you oughtta be here with me. 'Idn't that kindly funny?
I thought it was.
"But I swear. The best scene was that old scoundrel the Duke comin' in all tarred and feathered. Why how'd they do that? He tried to sell Jim and 'fore it was over, our friend Huckleberry had some powerful words for him!"
That was the best moment in the play. I thanked the young man for helping me and asked him if I could quote him.
...
Read Full Article
|
