Critic’s Choice

* Big River (Deaf West Theatre, 5112 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, [818] 762-2773). Jeff Calhoun’s staging of the Roger Miller-William Hauptman adaptation of Mark Twain’s “Huckleberry Finn” makes the action intimate, crisp and simmering with energy. Among the cast are James Black, above left, as Jim and Tyrone Giordano as Huck Finn. Thu.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m. Ends Jan. 27. $18-$25.