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Performing in Hale Centre Theatre's revival of "Big River" serves as something of a family reunion for Conlon Bonner. Bonner, 27, says it's a dream to be double-cast in the role of Jim along with his father, Harry.

"My dad is my hero, and I get to spend more time with him," says Conlon Bonner, 27, who performed with Vocal Point male chorus while studying at Brigham Young University and now works as an LDS Seminary teacher in Springville. "I'm sure all my siblings are all jealous."

The show is even more of a family act, as his mother, Debra Bonner, a renowned vocal coach, will also appear in the ensemble. She has performed solos with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and currently leads Utah's One Voice International Choir, formerly know as the Genesis Gospel Choir.

The Hale show, a buddy musical about the unlikely relationship between Huck Finn, an uncivilized white boy, and Jim, a runaway slave, plays through July 23. It's a revival of the theater's 2003 production, and will feature more than 9,000 gallons of water splashing on and about the stage. The show is directed by David Weekes, with choreography by Jenny Barlow and musical direction by Anne Puzey.

The 1985 Broadway musical is noted for the bluegrass influences anchoring country pop ballads. The book (adapted by William Hauptman from Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," with music and lyrics by Roger Miller) tells the story of what happened after Huck Finn and Jim "light out for the Territory." Bonner says he looks forward to performing "River in the Rain," a soaring duet between Jim and Huck, thanks to "its gorgeous music and its beautiful message."

The cast features Kooper Campbell and Matthew Clark Richards as Huck Finn, while Spencer Jackson Hohl and Nate Brogan will alternate as Tom Sawyer.

And there's even more family casting: Hohl's father, Mike, plays Pap Finn, and his mother, Jenni, plays Widow Douglas and Sally Phelps, in the Monday-Wednesday-Friday cast.

The role of the runaway slave "was the first role I ever saw a black man play, and it was my dad," says Conlon Bonner, who is reprising the role after performing in Orem's Hale Center Theater's production in 2014. "That makes this extra special. I love the songs, and I'm so grateful to be able to do it again."

He's returning to the West Valley theater after performing in the 2013 production of "Ragtime" as Coalhouse Walker, while his sister Oyoyo Joi Bonner played Sarah in the alternative cast of the show.

They're just a few branches of a widespread musical family with eight siblings. Oyoyo is performing in the ensemble of "The Book of Mormon" on Broadway, after touring with the show, and the national tour of "Memphis." Another sister, Clotile, who also has performed at Hale, is currently performing on a cruise ship after touring with "The Color Purple," while their brother works with musicians in Los Angeles such as Katy Perry and The Black Eyed Peas.

"We all love to sing, we love to perform," Bonner says. —

'Big River'

P This buddy musical about the unlikely relationship between Huck Finn, an uncivilized white boy, and Jim, a runaway slave, follows the pair as they "light out for the Territory."

When • Plays nightly at 7:30, except Sundays, through July 23; Saturday matinees at 12:30 and 4 p.m.

Where • Hale Centre Theatre, 3333 S. Decker Lake Drive, West Valley City

Tickets • $32-$35; $16 children; 801-984-9000 or hct.org

HCT Applauds • The show's playbill will spotlight Maliheh Free Clinic, which provides medical services for uninsured and low-income people; malihehfreeclinic.org