On Friday, Aug. 20, the Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center in Covington, Ky., opens its 2010-11 Theatre Series with the lauded 1983 musical “BIG RIVER | The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,’’ during the 100th anniversary year of the passing of Mark Twain. BIG RIVER plays weekends Aug. 20 – Sept. 4, in the historic Otto M. Budig Theatre, directed by Dee Anne Bryll & Ed Cohen, with musical direction by Brian D. Hoffman.

A faithful musical adaptation of the classic Mark Twain novel, BIG RIVER follows indomitable Huck Finn along the mighty Mississippi as he helps his friend Jim, a slave, escape to freedom. Twain’s seminal folktale bursts colorfully onto the stage with a down-home score by the legendary Roger Miller and memorable characters including the adventurous Tom Sawyer and conniving con men the King and Duke. Winner of seven Tony Awards, including “Best Musical” and “Best Original Score,” BIG RIVER is a spirited celebration of pure Americana.

Featuring eleven actors under the age of 22, the cast list of BIG RIVER is a future “who’s who” of professional theatre. Taking on the title role of Huck is recent Sycamore High School grad and incoming Wright State University freshman Zack Steele, recognized as “Outstanding Supporting Actor” at the 2009-10 Cappies Awards

honoring local high school theatre) and winner of the city-wide Overture Awards scholarship for college-bound musical theatre students. Steele is supported by six standout students from the prestigious drama and musical theatre programs at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), including Acclaim Award winners Carlyn Connolly (Miss Watson) and Michael Carr (Pap Finn, The Duke).

Tickets are $19 - $26 and are available at The Carnegie Box Office, 859 957-1940, or www. thecarnegie.com.