The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (musical)
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| The Adventures of Tom Sawyer | |
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| Music | Don Schlitz |
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| Lyrics | Don Schlitz |
| Book | Ken Ludwig |
| Based upon | The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain |
| Productions | 2001 Broadway |
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a musical comedy based on the novel by Mark Twain; book by Ken Ludwig; music and lyrics by Don Schlitz.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is the story of a fourteen-year-old boy growing up in the heartland of America. This Broadway musical version of Mark Twain's novel is set in 1840 in St. Petersburg, Missouri, a bustling town on the banks of the Mississippi River. In the course of the story, Tom matches wits with his stern Aunt Polly, falls in love with the beautiful, feisty Becky Thatcher, and goes on the adventure of his life with Becky and that irresistible renegade, Huckleberry Finn. Along the way we meet a terrifying villain named Injun Joe, Tom's bratty half-brother Sid, and all the other boys and girls in the village. With music by Don Schiltz ("The Gambler"), The Adventures of Tom Sawyer played on Broadway at the Minskoff Theater, and was directed by Scott Ellis.
Act One
When the curtain rises we see Tom Sawyer happily fishing in a meadow outside St. Petersburg, Missouri in 1840. When his friends arrive, he joins them in a game of Robin Hood (Hey, Tom Sawyer). Tom’s strict but kindly Aunt Polly sends him off to school – where he tricks the schoolmaster, Mr. Dobbins, into letting the class have the day off. Aunt Polly, Mr. Dobbins and the preacher, Reverend Sprague lament that they Can’t Do A Thing About the Boy.
The next morning, Aunt Polly orders Tom to whitewash the fence in front of their house. Tom’s half-brother, Sid, an insufferable goody-goody, couldn’t be happier. Frustrated, Tom sings about his plan to some day run away and have adventures (Here’s My Plan).
As Tom procrastinates, he meets a beautiful newcomer to the town, Becky Thatcher. They’re instantly attracted to each other. Next, along comes Tom’s best friend in the world, the town’s outcast, Huckleberry Finn. When Huck comments that painting the fence looks like fun, Tom gets an idea. Moments later, Tom tricks his schoolmates into painting the fence for him – and paying for the privilege (Smart Like That)!
That night, Tom and Huck go on an adventure and visit the local graveyard. There, hidden behind a gravestone, they see Injun Joe, a troublemaker, have a fight with Doc Robinson, the local doctor (Hand All Clean). Before long, Joe murders Doc Robinson before their eyes! The boys run off and swear in blood to keep mum forever about the bloody deed (The Vow). Meanwhile, Injun Joe arranges to have a local vagrant, Muff Potter, blamed for the murder.
The next morning, on the way to church, Aunt Polly and Judge Thatcher, both single parents, commiserate about Raising A Child By Yourself . Later that day, in church, Tom tries to impress Becky Thatcher by tricking Reverend Sprague into awarding him the coveted “Bible Prize” (It’s In The Bible).
On the way to school the next day, Tom tries to convince Huck to learn to read, but Huck is afraid. A few minutes later, Huck saves kindly old Widow Douglas from the advances of the town drunk. In gratitude, she also offers to teach Huck how to read; in fact, she offers him her home as a place to live. Huck declines (It Just Ain’t Me).
In school that day, Tom saves Becky from getting into trouble. Moments later, they declare their undying love for each other (To Hear You Say My Name).
A few days later, Muff Potter is arrested for murder. Muff doesn’t realize that Injun Joe has framed him, and he pleads with Joe to save him from hanging. Joe says he’ll help, provided that Muff gives him a map that Muff has found – a map leading to that legendary treasure Murrell’s Gold.
As Muff is taken to jail, Tom faces a terrible choice: Should he tell the truth about the murder and save Muff Potter – thereby incurring the wrath of Injun Joe? Or should he keep his vow to Huck and let Muff hang (Murrell’s Gold Reprise)?
At Muff Potter’s trial, Tom takes the stand. He tells the truth and swears that Injun Joe committed the murder. Injun Joe springs from his seat and screams “You are dead, boy!” He throws a knife at Tom, then races from the courtroom amid a hale of gunfire (The Testimony).
Act Two
A few weeks later, school is dismissed for the summer and the children and their parents celebrate (Ain’t Life Fine). That night, in his bedroom, Tom has a terrifying nightmare about Injun Joe. Aunt Polly comforts him and puts him to sleep with a lullaby (This Time Tomorrow).
The next morning, after weeks of secret tutoring by Widow Douglas, Huck at last learns how to read. He and the Widow celebrate with a song of joy (I Can Read!).
This is the day of the annual town picnic, and the festivities begin with the exploration of McDougal’s Cave, a cavern of frightening size and darkness. As the townsfolk head for the cave, we learn that Injun Joe is back in town. He, too, is going into the cave – to find Murrell’s Gold (Reprise).
Now, however, a tragedy occurs. Tom and Becky get lost in the cave. Aunt Polly and Judge Thatcher are frantic, and they and the rest of the town begin searching for the two children (Angels Lost).
Underground, Tom and Becky desperately try to find a way out of the cave. Tom assures Becky that they’ll succeed (Light). When Becky is alone for a moment, Injun Joe springs from a passage and grabs her, demanding to know where Tom is. Suddenly Tom jumps out from behind a rock; and a moment later, Huck shows up. With great courage, the three friends battle Injun Joe and defeat him.
Though badly shaken, the children find Murrell’s Gold – a vast treasure of gold coins. Moments later, they see a ray of daylight shining through a crack in the wall. Exhausted, they crawl out of the cave, safe at last.
The next day, the people of St. Petersburg are holding a funeral service for the lost children (Reprise of Light). During the service, Tom, Huck and Becky limp into town. They peek into the church – and realize that they’re watching their own funeral!
When the children are discovered, the town goes wild with happiness (Reprise of Ain’t Life Fine). Aunt Polly is overjoyed to have Tom back. Sid is not.
In the final moments of the play, Huck reveals to Tom that he’s learned how to read, and the two friends run off to celebrate with the rest of the town (Finale).
[edit] Character List
- Tom Sawyer - 14-year old boy from America’s heartland. In love with Becky.
- Huckleberry Finn - A Charming Renegade
- Aunt Polly - Tom's kind but stern aunt.
- Becky Thatcher - A fiesty but cute girl.
- Injun Joe - The terrifying villain.
- Lemuel Dobbins - The schoolmaster
- Muff Potter - A local vagrant
- Pap - The town drunk, and Huck's father.
- Reverand Sprague
- Sid Sawyer - Tom's half-brother. An insufferable goody-goody.
- Widow Douglas - A kind, old woman who teaches Huck how to read.
- Alfred Temple
- Amy Lawrence
- Benjamin Rogers - Joe Harper's best friend.
- Doc Robinson
- George Bellamy
- Gideon Temple
- Joe Harper - Tom's second best friend, and best friend of Benjamin Rogers.
- Judge Thatcher - Becky Thatcher's father, an old judge who just moved to Missouri.
- Mayor Lanyard Bellamy
- Suzie Rogers
- Lucy Harper
- Jim Hollis
[edit] Songs
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[edit] Awards and nominations
- 2001 Theatre World Award Winner
- Outstanding New Performer -- Joshua Park
- 2001 Tony® Award Nominee
- Lighting Designer -- Kenneth Posner
- Scenic Designer -- Heidi Ettinger
- 2001 Drama Desk Award nominee
- Outstanding Orchestrations -- Michael Starobin
- Outstanding Set Design of a Musical -- Heidi Ettinger
- Outstanding Costume Design -- Anthony Powell
- Outstanding Lighting Design -- Kenneth Posner
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