Big River NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (115)
See it if You want to see a masterful performance by Nicholas Barasch. You want great songs and a great story.
Don't see it if If you do not like semi stages productions. You hate country music.
See it if you enjoy great acting and directing. I've enjoyed Lear DeBessonet's work at the Public and this was wonderful too.
Don't see it if you don't like country music. But the Encores orchestra is so talented, you will enjoy anyway! I found the lighting too bland.
See it if you like Blue Grass, gospel, country, Twain, great performances, timeless themes, have never seen this Broadway classic, yearn to again
Don't see it if country music isn't your thing. That's going to be the biggest stumbling block; the rest of it's so wonderful it'll win you over! Read more
See it if You love descriptive story-telling; if you love beautiful music that could be stand-alone songs outside of musical theater. Fun & upbeat.
Don't see it if You prefer large set designs; this was an extremely simple stage production as is typical for this venue. Read more
See it if You're a fan of Huckleberry Finn or Roger Miller's music
Don't see it if You're "offended" by Mark Twain's writing or you only like lavishly staged shows. Read more
See it if You like Roger Miller's music. You like Mark Twain's humor.
Don't see it if You don't want to hear dated, politically incorrect language. You want to see elaborate sets.
See it if You enjoy excellent singing; are a fan of adaptations of great novels; enjoy country music
Don't see it if Need elaborate settings along with your music; only like contemporary music
See it if You can turn back time, tonight was the last performance. It was fun, light hearted, smile a lot, Mark Twain. Some top notch singing.
Don't see it if You like big scenery, elaborate costumes, laser light pyrotechnics.
Critic Reviews (20)
"With its delightful performances, lively staging, and Roger Miller’s sparkling country and bluegrass score, this Encores! revival of 'Big River' is splendid and thoughtful entertainment...Mr. Barasch is onstage virtually the entire time and winningly carries the show. Kyle Scatliffe brings dignity, forcefulness and powerful vocal ability during his commanding performance...Director Lear deBessonet vigorously integrates all of the production’s elements into a compelling presentation."
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"Lear deBesonnet’s simply but thoughtfully staged production of this enchanting musical is both entertaining and enlightening...The entire production benefits from such savvy casting...One of the continually surprising elements of the show is the versatility of the score by Roger Williams...In this era where racism has reared back into the forefront of many people’s consciousness, Twain’s not-so-subtle commentary on slavery resonates in a way it didn’t in its previous two productions."
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"The Encores! production of 'Big River' feels as twangy and bluegrass as can be, filled with melodic moments of beauty and history. It starts out floating on the charm and winning character of Huck Finn, played with the perfect balance of fire and freckles by Barasch...The weakness lies in the book, not the music or lyrics. The book attempts to address racism and slavery, and it does in many thoughtful ways, but seems to minimize Jim’s role in comparison to the teenage boys."
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"A pleasant enough confection but with a bitter aftertaste...As rendered by a large, talented cast and a ten-piece orchestra of the usual Encores! caliber, Miller’s score holds up, a mix of honky tonk, bluegrass, rousing gospel and Miller’s signature novelty songs...This did not strike me as a weighty enough production...Lines should land harder than they do. Part of the problem may be Nicholas Barasch...His Huck is too bland, with little of the mischievous schemer in his eye."
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"Magnificently played by its onstage ten-piece orchestra and sung brilliantly by its cast...Landesman has provided a streamlined concert adaptation of Hauptman’s book that allows the show to ebb and flow. Director Lear deBessonet and choreographer Rhodes have kept the staging streamlined and energetic, yet with plenty of wonderful dance numbers to satisfy...Hauptman’s book is weak in a lot of areas, but Miller’s score is lush and worth listening to. The Encore production is Broadway worthy."
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"A new, lively concert-style staging...The plot is very incident-packed and a bit too sprawling. Still, the essence of Twain’s vision is there, wrapped in the twang-y country-style score mixed with passionate songs...Nicholas Barasch makes a delightfully rebellious Huck, who befriends Jim, played with dignity by Kyle Scatliffe…The production, set along the Mississippi River Valley in the 1840s, has some nifty numbers with the ensemble adding strength backing the soloists."
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“A simple yet enthralling production with no frills attached…This version of ‘Big River,’ the production let the music soar and the story take center stage while your imagination ran wild...Overall production was so strong, it's easy to forgive the lack of super power 'Muddy Water' ended up having…Between a beautiful score and a classic story, Big River will shine on within the canon of musical theater. New York City Center has done an extraordinary job celebrating this work."
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"The 17 songs were the best things about “Big River” then. And they are the best part of the semi-staged concert revival...The show struck me as bland and surprisingly ho-hum in the original and, despite a fine cast in director Lear DeBessonet’s pleasant story-theater production, I still think the journey’s a bore...Nicholas Barasch has the presence and the look as Huck, though his singing only comes alive in duets with Kyle Scatliffe’s imposing, sensitive Jim."
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