Community Corner
New Canaanites Take to the Stage in 'Big River' at Waveny Park
The award winning take on Huckleberry Finn begins today, hosted by the Summer Theatre of New Canaan.
Local actors will play to the crowds July 10 as 'Big River' opens in New Canaan's Waveny Park. The eight Tony–award winning musical based on Mark Twain's classic 1884 novel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, is produced and presented by The Summer Theatre of New Canaan (STONC).
Featuring soul-lifting, knee-slapping country, blues and Gospel music from composer Roger Miller, this award winning musical is an endearing mythic adventure down the Mississippi River where you meet not only Huck Finn, but Mark Twain's well known characters Tom Sawyer, Jim the runaway slave, the notorious bumbling Duke and King and more.
Actors from New Canaan include Lisa Buccuzi, Lindsay Meyerson, Megan Meyerson, Anna Oxman, Kate Bodenheimer, Christian Libonati (photo), Andrew Serkes, Ryan Stiffelman, Allie Potenza, Ashton Woerz, Whitney Woerz, Rachel Guth, and Sean Peterson.
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"There is a wealth of talent here that contributes significantly to the professionalism and enjoyment of our shows," said Melody Libonati, STONC artistic director. "Big River is great family entertainment, and in this spirit, we are thrilled to include our extended family of area performers as part of our show."
Long considered one of America's most treasured stories, Huck is forced to fake his own death to escape trouble and joins up with another on the run - Jim, a slave in the search for freedom. As they head down the river, they get sucked into scams involving two "aristocrats," one of which lands Jim in chains once again and Huck and Tom Sawyer join together to free him.
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Big River is presented July 10 through August 1, rain or shine under STONC's hi-tech open-air tent theater with over 200 reserved seats in Waveny Park, and, new this year, stage-side table seats. The venue allows for hundreds more to enjoy open field seating and picnics, with convenient parking adjacent to theater. Performances are Wednesday through Sundays 7:45pm. For information and tickets, see www.stonc.og, or call 203-966-4634.
