Huck and Jim carefully plotting the next step in their big adventure.

As Black History Month winds to an end, so did Clarion University Theatre’s production of “Big River,” which concluded this past Sunday.

“Big River” is a coming-of-age story about Huckleberry Finn, famous as the best friend of the titular character from Twain’s previous story, Tom Sawyer.

Huck looks perplexed amongst his fellow singing and dancing townspeople.

In the play, Huck is a young man who is being raised by two kind but strict nannies. One thing leads to another, and Huck eventually ends up in the care of his unkind, drunken father, Pap Finn.

To escape this life, Huck runs away, eventually joining forces with an escaped slave named Jim. They have a great many adventures along the way and meet some interesting characters such as Silas Phelps, Mary Jane Wilkes and, audience favorites, the Duke and the King.

The story serves as a fairly unique sociopolitical commentary on the times preceding its publication, the pre-Civil War years. It is told from the perspective of Huck, a young boy whose eyes see no color. This is based on Twain’s own childhood experiences with a slave he knew as “Uncle Dan.” Much like young Huck, Twain also came to question the morality of slavery.

The play was a fun and carefree exercise in childhood imagination. It features many upbeat, silly songs such as “Guv’ Ment,” performed humorously by Gabe Proietti in his role of Pap Finn, “The Royal Nonesuch” and “Arkansas.”

Many humorous moments transcended ages and historical eras, such as Tom Sawyer’s many observations on the female mind or the initiation rights of Tom and Huck’s “gang.”

The story also had a tender side that begins to emerge when Huck befriends Jim, which came out in full when Huck eventually resolved to liberate his friend from his new masters.

Townspeople in 'Big River' discourage Huck Finn from causing his usual mischief.

There was a surprisingly stark and unbridled portrayal of the racism and hatred of the time period.

As director Marilouise Michel wrote in the play’s program, “How in this day and age can the ‘n’ word be acceptable in any way?

Well, it certainly isn’t. I think Mark Twain’s use of it, and the subsequent choices made by Miller and Hauptman, serve to jar our ears into the remembrance of unacceptable past practice. It is something, thank goodness, that never rolls lightly off an actor’s tongue or sits easily in our consciousness upon hearing.”

Michel went on to say that the production was incredibly timely, with America electing its first black President. In addition to a large number of Clarion University students, the play drew in many off-campus attendees.

“I just enjoy the shows they put on,” said Ron McMatthew, a guest on campus and a regular attendee of the Clarion University Theatre productions, who included productions at the Sawmill to be among his favorites. Keep an eye out for the Theatre’s next production, “Psycho Beach Party”.

The musical will take the stage from April 14 to April 18.

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