Tonys honor ‘Big River’ cast

The cast of “Big River” that went to Broadway last year has won one of this year’s Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre, an annual tribute by the Tony Awards to Broadway-related achievers who aren’t eligible in the regular award categories.

“Big River” was co-produced by Deaf West Theatre and New York’s Roundabout in association with the Mark Taper Forum, where it appeared in 2002. The ensemble cast used sign language as well as the spoken and sung text for the Huckleberry Finn-derived “Big River.” It originated at Deaf West Theatre in North Hollywood and is on tour.

In other Tony news, the design honors (set, lighting, costumes) will be divided into separate categories for musicals and for plays, beginning next year.

Don Shirley