Shaker graduate Michael McElroy ’85 (at rear in photo) brings his Tony-nominated performance in "Big River" to Cleveland’s Palace Theatre next month. The Shaker Heights High School Theatre Department has a limited number of specially priced tickets available for the December 9 performance.

"I just cannot say enough about this 1985 Shaker Theatre alum,” says James Thornton, Shaker Theatre’s artistic director. “Michael’s talent, work ethic and generosity on and off stage have been one of my greatest rewards as an educator anddirector. For me he is, along with many other alums, representative of what is most ideal in a theatre artist.”

McElroy’s other credits include the Broadway productions of "Big River," "Rent," The Who’s "Tommy," and "Hair"; Off-Broadway productions of "Violet" and "Blue," and national tours and regional productions of "Angels In America," "Dreamgirls," and "Fences."  Television appearances include "The Rosie O’Donnell Show," the 2002 Grammy Awards, and "All My Children."

The most critically lauded event of the last Broadway season, "Big River, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," includes deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing actors performing each role in a synchronized ballet of speaking and signing. Spoken English and American Sign Language are interwoven with music, dance and storytelling techniques from both hearing and deaf cultures into a “third language,” creating a unique theatrical event. The thrilling score, with music and lyrics by Grammy Award-winner Roger Miller, is a mix of Cajun, gospel, folk, country and blues songs.

Winner of six L.A. Ovation and five L.A. Drama Critics Awards, including Best Musical from both, "Big River" is set in 1840’s rural America, and follows the exploits of the irrepressible Huck and his friend Jim, a runaway slave, as they explore life along the mighty Mississippi River. Along the way they meet the uproarious King and Duke, Tom Sawyer, and Huck's father, the sinister Pap Finn. Don’t miss what TIME Magazine has called, “a rare show that can truly be called groundbreaking!”

Join Shaker Theatre students, alums, and supporters to see Big River at the Palace Theatre at Playhouse Square, on Thursday, December 9th, 7:30 curtain. A talkback with cast members will follow the performance. Buses will leave from the High School at 6:30. Download order form.

For information about other performances of "Big River," go to www.playhousesquare.com.

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