Though written in the late 19th century, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” remains one of the most challenged books today because of its coarse language involving race and perceived use of racial stereotypes. The musical “Big River”, based on Mark Twain’s classic novel, hit the Wagon Wheel Theatre stage Wednesday and continues through July 30. Though some references to the “N” word were omitted for this production, according to two of the actors, there are still plenty of uses of the word. During an interview Monday afternoon, Nick Laughlin, who plays Huck Finn, said it’s difficult for him to say the “N” word in the show. While the use of the word has been scaled back, it’s still in the show. As black slave Jim, actor Monté Howell said he wished the word wasn’t cut at all from the musical. The debate in education about the book because of the controversies continues today, he said. The usage of the word in the musical isn’t suppose to be pretty. “It’s a dirty picture of a dirty time,” Howell said. For effect, Howell said, sometimes he has used the “N” word, but if he does use the word it’s done cautiously. As for people who use the word regularly, Howell said it’s a sign of ignorance. “No one else was called a (‘N’ word) for that many years,” Howell said of why the word is inappropriate. “Sometimes you have to let it slide because it’s them and their ignorance. It’s degrading to a human to be called something like that.” But that’s what makes the use of the “N” word appropriate in the show. It shows people’s ignorance, he said. In none of his past shows has Howell ever dealt with slavery before, he said. To prepare for “Big River”, he watched the award-winning miniseries “Roots” and “Queen”. Watching “Roots”, as well as playing Jim, is heartbreaking, he said. “Jim is use to the social norms, he’s use to being called a (‘N’ word),” Howell said. At one point, Jim brags about being worth $800 as a slave. Howell said Jim was shaped by another race, and it’s weird and sad to see a person’s worth measured like that. Huck, Laughlin said, is a young boy who wants adventure and a change from his life. He is pretty much an orphan because his drunken father left him and he’s being taken care of by two Christian women. Huck feels trapped in his situation. Huck meets Jim, a slave who wants to run to the North to find freedom, and decides to run away with him. At first, Laughlin said, Huck doesn’t see slaves as real people. Throughout his journey with Jim, Huck comes to realize they are. “I feel like Jim was forced to run,” said Howell. “He had a need and a purpose. He couldn’t be sold down to New Orleans because it would be harder.” Huck is Jim’s biggest ally, Howell said, but an obstacle as well. While Huck is trying to find himself as a man, Jim is trying to find himself as a human being. He wants to get to Ohio, a free state, and uses the river to take him there. On their journey, Laughlin said, Huck and Jim grow a love for each other as friends that wasn’t OK back then – a white boy and a black slave. A lot of the musical is focused on that friendship, he said. Howell said Jim is a slave and has a lot of characteristics of slaves back in the 19th century. Jim is superstitious and doesn’t have an education because he wasn’t allowed one. Twain took all these characteristics of slaves at the time and wrote them as Jim, Howell said. He said he wanted to play Jim, but he didn’t think it would happen when he’s just 21. He hates the stereotypes about the character, but he hopes he can bring enough to the role that is so well known by people. Laughlin said it’s fun playing a little boy. “I see Little Nick in Huck,” he said. Growing up, Laughlin liked to play and horse around just like Huck. However, in “Big River”, Huck grows up in a good way, Laughlin said. “The whole first act, I have to think of him (Jim) as not a person,” Laughlin said. As the journey continues in the show, Huck sees Jim more and more as a person and learns to appreciate him more. “Huck risks a lot for him.” Performing in “Big River” also helped Laughlin grow as a person, he said. The company is mixed, and Laughlin hasn’t been able to be involved in many such shows before, he said. “I learned a lot as a person,” he said. One of the interesting things he learned, he said, was that one of the black actor’s ancestors was a black slave on one side and a white slave owner on the other side. But he also learned more respect for black people, too, he said. The music of “Big River” blends bluegrass, country, soul and gospel. “I really like the music and I think this town will, too,” said Laughlin. The songs are simple, he said, but they mean so much. Howell said the songs are about the journey, the physical as well as the mental. The songs are about what’s going on internally with the characters, as well as what the audience sees on stage. Laughlin said he hopes people enjoy the show, but that they also leave with a perspective of how it was and how it is now. There’s a lot of racism still today, he said, but sometimes it’s unspoken. Doing a show like “Big River” is a reminder of the past and the racism out there. “I hope no one leaves the show feeling super heavy, but I hope they’ll consider where they’re at,” said Howell. Martin Luther King Jr. died in 1968, not that long ago, Howell said, and how much has changed? He said he hopes the show changes something in someone’s heart. He said he hopes the show will show there was a struggle, an inequality and that people did do wrong. But the moral of the story is that everyone should treat everyone else like a human being.“Come and see it,” Laughlin said. “It should be great,” Howell added. “It’s a good mix of education and entertainment at the same time.” To order tickets or for more information, call the box office at 574-267-8041 or visit the Wagon Wheel website at wagonwheeltheatre.com
