TOM SAWYER

Playwright, composer, lyricist director and actor Richard Kinter has created in “Tom Sawyer” a faithful enactment of the book and provided some catchy, fun songs to boot. Though there is plenty of fodder for an action-filled play, Kinter wrote many production numbers that help line the pace of the tow-hour play and add to its lighthearted spirit. Adults can thoroughly enjoy the play alone however watching a child sit on the edge of his/her seat as Huck and tom tiptoe through the cemetery or roll with laughter as Sid finally gets what’s coming to him will make this story come alive even more.
Beckey Whitlock, Kingsport Times News

Barter theatre began and ends its 1989 season with Richard Kinter’s musical Tom sawyer, a faithful adaptatioin of Mark Twain’s novel that is perhaps even more entertaining than the book. Richard Kinter has done a remarkable job with wonderful songs and pleasant choreography that tells the story and adds humor to the show. The novel has a detailed plot with scenes at Tom’s home, the graveyard, the cave3, etc. and with many complicated subplots of treasure, romance and murder. Kinter has managed to tetain the storyline and “fell” of the original story and makes it fit on the Barter stage. I was particularly taken witht the show’s musical numbers. My favorite was “Becky’s Birthday Party,” a powerful ensemble piece that had the feel and power of a big production number.
Edward B. Morgan, Washington County News