By Jackie Demaline
Enquirer staff writer

A groundbreaking revival of the Roger Miller musical Big River will replace Wonderful Town in the 2004-05 Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Cincinnati line-up at the Aronoff Center for the Arts.

Casting problems beset the Town tour and Clear Channel Entertainment withdrew more than two dozen bookings, including Cincinnati.

That cleared the way for the acclaimed American Sign Language revival of Big River, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which was originated in Los Angeles last year by Deaf West Theatre to resounding raves and Best Musical awards.

Deaf, hearing impaired and hearing actors speak and sign the show simultaneously with American Sign Language interwoven with music, dance and storytelling. The Broadway revival earned a Tony Award nomination for best musical revival this year.

Big River follows the adventures of Huck and runaway slave Jim along the mighty Mississippi River.

The original production, which counted Cincinnati's Rick Steiner among its producers, won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, in 1985.

Big River will play the same dates as Town, March 15-27. Subscribers will receive new tickets. Information: Broadway in Cincinnati ticket office, 241-2345.