Mark Twain's classic novel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, serves as the source material for the musical Big River. Appearing on Broadway in 1985, this show features the songs of Roger Miller (perhaps best known for King of the Road). The songs constitute a potpourri of musical Americana: jazz, gospel, blues, rock, country. Some of the tunes are catchy and others sentimental. The lyrics are often repetitious and do little to advance the plot. But they fit well and provide pacing for the show as Huck Finn goes from staying with Widow Douglas and Miss Watson back to living with his Dad, from his faked murder to running away down the river with runaway slave Jim. The second half of the show contains scenes from the time Huck and Jim spend in Arkansas.
River in the Rain: An ode to the Mighty Mississippi sung by the composer.
Worlds Apart: Duet between Huck Finn and slave Jim.
Leaving's Not the Only Way to Go: Love-struck Huck and a grieving Mary Jane, who just lost her father, share this duet. Jim joins them later in the song.
Muddy Water: An upbeat song as Jim and Huck head out on the Mississippi.
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