Tucson: Big River opens at the Red Barn Theater Friday

From: burneyii@aol.com
Sent: Sunday, January 03, 2010 9:30 PM
Subject: Big River at the Red Barn Theater

 

Release

BIG RIVER at the Red Barn Theater

Big River opens at the Red Barn Theater Friday January 8 at the Red Barn Theater and runs through January 24, playing Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00; Sunday matinee at 2:00.

Big River is a musical adaptation of Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn. The musical score was written by Roger Miller – remember King of the Road; Dang Me, Dang Me and Can't Roller Skate in a Buffalo Herd. If you liked that stuff, Miller doesn't disappoint with songs like Hand for the Hog, Guv'ment and the Royal Nonesuch. And a musical side of Miller must people are not familiar with – moving reflective songs like River In the Rain, Worlds Apart and Free At Last. Miller won Broadway's Tony award for writing the music and lyrics for Big River, which won a total of 7 Tonys including best musical in 1985.

It's a small theater, so it's best to call for reservations (622-6973). The Red Barn is located at 948 N. Main (1 block south of Speedway).

Other interesting Roger Miller facts: Roger Miller was turned on to Country music by his brother in law, cowboy, country,  legend Sheb Wooley who gave him a fiddle when he was 11 years old.

Even though he was known for much of his country music, he was considered a Honkey-Tonk singer.

Miller's musical associates included Jim Reeves, Ray Price, Rex Allen, Willie Nelson, Chet Atkins, Faron Young, Minnie Pearl, Johnny Paycheck and Dwight Yoakam.

He wrote and performed three songs in Disney's animated Robin Hood as Alan-a-Dale the rooster/minstrel.

 

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