"Mark Twain’s Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" will soon be hitting the UTM campus.

"Big River," which won eight Tony awards in 1985 including “Best Musical,” with music and lyrics by Roger Miller was written by William Hauptman and adapted from Mark Twain’s novel of the same name.

Twain’s timeless classic sweeps us down the mighty Mississippi as the irrepressible Huck Finn (played by David Alan Winton of Pelham) helps his friend Jim, a slave, (Nathan Harrison of Jackson) escape to freedom at the mouth of the Ohio River.

Their adventures along the way are hilarious, suspenseful and heartwarming, bringing to life your favorite characters from the novel: the Widow Douglas (Judy Chappell of Martin) and her stern sister, Miss Watson (Courtni Harbin of Memphis); the uproarious King (Ryan Leyhue of Mayfield, Ky.) and Duke (Vannie Williamson of Jackson), who may or may not be as harmless as they seem; Huck’s partner in crime, Tom Sawyer (Eric Brewer of Sharon), and their rowdy gang of pals; Huck’s drunken father, the sinister Pap Finn (Blair Chadwick of Dickson); the lovely Mary Jane Wilkes (Katie Keel of Friendship) and her trusting family.

Other members of the cast include: Megan Elizabeth Beam of Gadsden, Ala.; Sean Campbell of Brighton; Heather Lanee Cheatham of Dresden; Mary Cheers of Memphis; Rachel Cook of Martin; the Rev. Elwood Doss Jr. of Martin; Clint Herron of Halls; Rosalyn Lake of Memphis; Sarah Lemmons of Brentwood; Kaleena Lewis of Dresden; and Dan Spencer of Cordova.

The orchestra will be conducted by Dr. Gregg Gausline, assistant professor of music and director of bands at UTM, and will consist of Judy Sullivan, instructor of music, pit piano; Linda Farmer of Dresden, flute; Joanna Robbins of Milan, clarinet; Kara Thomas, bass clarinet; Megan Hannah of Cordova, saxophone; Steven Westbrook of Jackson, trumpet; Josh Long of Somerville, trombone; and Bryan Winningham of Lascassas, percussion.

Callie Milam of Memphis is the stage manager. Dr. Margaret Olson, assistant professor of music, is director and choreographer.

Performances will be at 8 p.m., April 16 and 17, and at 3 p.m., April 18, in the Harriet Fulton Theatre.

Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and may be purchased at the door or by phone after April 12 by calling 7402.