Arvada Center Presents BIG RIVER: THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN 7/14-8/9

The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities presents 'Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,' running July 14 - August 9, 2009 in the Main Stage Theater.

'Big River,' based on one of Mark Twain’s greatest creations, tells a tale of adventure and self-discovery. This timeless Tony Award®-winning play takes place on the Mississippi River in the 1840's, where Huck meets up with Jim, a runaway slave, for an amazing downstream journey. Get swept away by this heartwarming slice of musical Americana, a treat for the entire family.

'Big River' is directed and choreographed by Stephen Bourneuf, who was most recently seen at the Center directing and choreographing last season's 'Altar Boyz,' for which he received an Ovation Award nomination for Outstanding Choreography. Bourneuf has also directed/ choreographed 'The Full Monty,' 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat' and 'High School Musical.' Directing credits include 'Guys and Dolls,' 'West Side Story' and 'Crazy for You.' He will be returning to the Arvada Center in the fall to direct and choreograph 'Joseph.'

Alan H. Green makes his Arvada Center debut as Jim. Green has been seen on Broadway's 'Play On,' as well as the national tours of 'Smokey Joe's Café,' 'Swing!' and '25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,' and the international tour of 'Miss Saigon.' Television appearances include '30 Rock,' 'Law and Order: SVU' and 'Guiding Light.'

Aaron De Jesus also makes his Arvada Center debut as Tom Sawyer. He was most recently seen as Patsy in Monty Python's 'Spamalot.' Other credits include 'Peter Pan,' 'Little Shop of Horrors,' 'Guys and Dolls,' 'CATS,' 'Oliver!,' 'Fiddler on the Roof' and 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat.'

Gabrielle Goyette returns to the Arvada Center to play Alice. Goyette has been seen at the Center in 'Children of Eden,' 'A Raisin in the Sun,' 'Smokey Joe’s Café,' 'AIDA' and 'Thoroughly Modern Millie.' Other stage credits include 'Little Rock 9,' 'Women of Brewster Place,' 'Tambourines to Glory,' 'The Bluest Eye,' 'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas' and 'To Kill a Mockingbird.'

Jeffrey Roark returns to the Center to play Mark Twain, after most recently being seen in 'Evita' and 'The Crucible.' Regional credits include 'An Ideal Husband,' 'My Fair Lady,' 'The Sorrows of Stephen,' 'Life is a Dream' and 'My Way.' Denver Center Theatre Company credits include 'King Lear,' 'White Christmas,' 'A Christmas Carol,' 'Kingdom' and 'The Merry Wives of Windsor.'

Alan Shaw makes his first Arvada Center appearance to play Huckleberry Finn. Recent credits include the 'Last Five Years,' 'Cam Jansen,' 'Pleasantville the Musical,' 'Marry Little Sunshine' and 'Only a Lad.'

Arvada Center favorite Sharon Kay White plays Widow Douglas. White was last seen in 'Evita' and 'Hollywood Arms,' which won her a Denver Post Ovation Award for Best Supporting Actress. She has also been on the Center's stage in 'La Cage aux Folles,' 'Thoroughly Modern Millie' and
'The Full Monty.' Other Denver credits include 'Guys and Dolls,' 'Moon over Buffalo' and 'Beauty and the Beast.' New York credits include 'Death of a Salesman,' 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf' and 'A Doll's House.'

Other familiar actors appearing in 'Big River' include Drew Frady, Kitty Skillman Hilsabeck, Rikki James, Matt LaFontaine, Eric Leviton, Justin Stapp, Alan Swadener and Rachel Turner.

For tickets, call the Arvada Center box office at (720) 898-7200, log on to arvadacenter.org or visit the Arvada Center box office at 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada, CO.

Prices start at $45.

Children ages 6 - 16 get a ticket at 50% off with the purchase of a paid adult ticket

Performances:
July 14 - August 9, 2009
Tuesday - Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday matinees at 1:00 p.m.

Family Nights:
Friday, July 17, 24 & 30 at 7:30 p.m. & Friday, August 7 at 7:30
p.m.-Children ages 6 - 12 get $1 tickets with paid adult ticket

Off Stage events & special features:
Friday, July 17 at 6:00 p.m.--First Friday! Pre-show dinner with Bennett's BBQ! Featuring chicken, brisket and ribs with all the fixins. As always, first drink is on us! Call by July 14 to reserve your place.

Friday, July 24 at 7:30 p.m. & Wednesday, July 29 at 1:00 p.m.--Insider's Talk Back-Talk back with members of the cast and production team following the performance and have a drink on us.

Friday, August 7 at 6:00 p.m.--Final Friday! Pre-show dinner with Bennett;s BBQ! Featuring chicken, brisket and ribs with all the fixins.

As always, first drink is on us! Call by July 14 to reserve your place.

Friday, August 7 at 7:30 p.m.--ASL interpreted performance, for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Saturday, August 8 at 2:00 p.m.--Audio-described performance, to accommodate patrons who are blind or have low vision.

The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities is one of the nation's largest cultural attractions, devoted to all aspects of the arts. It is generously supported by the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). For more information, call the Arvada Center box office at (720) 898-7200 or visit arvadacenter.org.