Big River musical set for April 5 and 6

  POPLARVILLE _ The escapades of two young boys and a slave come to life when Pearl River Community College presents Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
  Curtain time for the Tony-Award winning musical will be 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, April 5 and 6, in the Brownstone Center for the Arts on the Poplarville campus.
  Lucas Williams of Picayune plays the lead role of Huck with DeAndre Finley of Pontotoc as his pal Tom Sawyer and Hunter King of Picayune as the slave Jim.
  The roles of the con men Huck encounters on the river are played by Matthew Thigpen of Columbia as Duke and science instructor Robert Maynard of Hattiesburg as King.
  Big River is based on Mark Twain’s classic novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, published in 1884. The music and lyrics were written by Roger Miller, perhaps best known for his song King of the Road.
  Others in the cast are Taylor Graham of Picayune, Alice; Jenna Lee of Lumberton, servant; Sadie Kesler of Poplarville, Sally; Madeline Boover of Sumrall, Mary Jane Wilkes; Jackie Neal of Wiggins, JoAnna Wilkes; Cammie Moree of Sumrall, Miss Watson; Courtney Sones of Carriere, Widow Douglas; Haylee Herrin of Picayune, second man; and Sarah Ogden of Sumrall, strange woman.
  Playing multiple roles are Jonathan Dixon of Petal – Ben and young fool; Ricardo January of Laurel – Silas, counselor Robinson, Harvey Wilkes and Judge Thatcher; and Austin Warner of Franklinton, La. – Harper, first man and Sheriff Bell.
  Theater instructor Christopher Flynn is the director.
  Tickets are $20 and $15 and are available by telephoning 601 403-1180 or online at www.brownpapertickets.com.